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diff --git a/35600-0.txt b/35600-0.txt index 8940152..fbc2855 100644 --- a/35600-0.txt +++ b/35600-0.txt @@ -1,26 +1,4 @@ - THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City - -Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -Release Date: March 17, 2011 [EBook #35600] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE -CITY *** - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 35600 *** Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. @@ -9651,376 +9629,4 @@ maker had met with such a strange death. Fun and mystery here! 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City - -Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -Release Date: March 17, 2011 [EBook #35600] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE -CITY *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net. - - -[Illustration: _DECORATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL._] - - - - The - Woodcraft Girls - in the City - - BY - - LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - - AUTHOR OF - THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP, - LITTLE WOODCRAFTER'S BOOK, - THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS, Etc. - - - - - - ILLUSTRATED - - NEW YORK - - GROSSET & DUNLAP - - PUBLISHERS - - COPYRIGHT, 1918, - BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY - - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - -Acknowledgments are made to Mrs. M. F. Hoisington for the photographs; -to G. Shirmer, Music Publishers, for "Our America"; to W. V. Becker for -the legends from his "Folk-lore Stories"; to _Christian Science -Sentinel_ for "Items of Interest," and to other friends who co-operated -to make this book interesting to young readers. - - - - -Contents - - - - CHAPTER ONE--CAMPING IN THE CITY - - - CHAPTER TWO--THE NEW MEMBERS - - - CHAPTER THREE--HEARD IN THE "SCENIC FOREST" - - - CHAPTER FOUR--THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND - - - CHAPTER FIVE--A PRIZE CHEST - - - CHAPTER SIX--THE LOST CAMPERS - - - CHAPTER SEVEN--CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END - - - CHAPTER EIGHT--QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY - - - CHAPTER NINE--A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP - - - CHAPTER TEN--IN FALLING LEAF MOON - - - CHAPTER ELEVEN--CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS - - - CHAPTER TWELVE--A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E'EN - - - CHAPTER THIRTEEN--INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT - - - CHAPTER FOURTEEN--WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK - - - CHAPTER FIFTEEN--SOME WEEK-END CAMPS - - - CHAPTER SIXTEEN--THE ADIRONDACK CAMP - - - - - -CHAPTER ONE--CAMPING IN THE CITY - - -"Girls--guess what?" exclaimed Zan Baker, a few days after the return of -the Woodcraft Band from their summer camp on Wickeecheokee Farm. - -"Goodness only knows what you have to tell now!" laughed Jane Hubert, -another of the five girls who founded Wako Tribe. - -"Well, I got it direct, so the truth hasn't been turned or twisted by -any one of you girls before it was passed along," retorted Zan, with a -gleam of mischief in her eyes. - -"Oh, is that so! Well let me tell you this much: if I had the rare -imagination that you have, Zan, I'd compete with Jules Verne," replied -Hilda Alvord, the matter-of-fact member of the Band. - -"Judging from the talent Zan has in telling stories it won't surprise us -very much to hear she is a popular authoress," teased Nita Brampton, the -social aspirant of the group. - -"I'll illustrate Zan's books," quickly added Elena Marsh, the fifth -member of the Woodcrafters. - -"Sort of shine in my reflected glory, eh?" laughed Zan, good-naturedly, -for all the girls enjoyed this form of badinage. - -"Girls, girls! This isn't hearing the 'wextry' news Zan holds cornered! -Give her a chance, won't you?" begged Nita. - -"It's this: Miss Miller wants us to have tea with her, to discuss plans -for our Winter Camp and to consider the advisability of admitting -another Band so we can apply for a Charter of our Wako Tribe," announced -Zan, with due satisfaction. - -"When is the party?" eagerly questioned her hearers. - -"Friday afternoon about four; and she also said that if we cared to -invite some of the other girls who are crazy to join Woodcraft to meet -us in the evening to hear our Summer Reports read, she thought it might -give them a fine opportunity to really understand what Woodcraft did for -us during the few months we spent in Camp," explained Zan. - -"Miss Miller can count on me being there right on time!" declared Jane, -with a determined bob of her head. - -"Me too!" added Nita. - -"It isn't likely Hilda and I are going to be absent," laughed Elena. - -Thus it came about that promptly at four o'clock on Friday afternoon the -five happy girls stood waiting at the door of the apartment occupied by -their Woodcraft Guide. As Miss Miller's professional business in life -was teaching physical culture to the High School girls at the gymnasium -of Clinton High, the honourary office as Guide in Woodcraft was more -like play to the efficient instructor. - -Immediately after the bell rang to announce the visitors, the door was -opened and a cheery voice called, "Come right in, girls." - -"Dear me, Miss Miller, isn't it just too hot for anything? And after our -lovely cool Bluff down at Wickeecheokee!" sighed Nita, as soon as they -were seated in the front room. - -"I will admit that city life certainly is an unpleasant change from -camping in the woods," replied Miss Miller, taking the hats from her -girls and handing them each a fan. - -"I couldn't sleep a wink last night in our stuffy city rooms!" exclaimed -Hilda who lived with her mother and younger brother in the ordinary -regulation flat. - -"I didn't either. I just gasped all night for some air," added Elena. - -"Well what are we going to do? We can't move the Bluff to the City and -we live in so-called modern homes where the only windows open front and -back--all except Jane's and my house where there is an extra city lot on -the side so we can have light from additional windows on the sides," -commented Zan, thoughtfully. - -"It is odd that you girls should speak of this matter the very first -thing, because it is one of the things I wanted to talk over with you -before any new members join our Band. If you all approve of the plan I -thought out it not only will give us air enough at night but will offer -the new Woodcraft members an opportunity to win their _coups_ for -sleeping out-of-doors for the required number of nights," said the -Guide. - -"Oh do tell us what it is?" cried Zan. - -"It must take its place in the order of business," rejoined Miss Miller; -"now let us open Council in the regular way, girls." - -"It won't seem much like a Council in the regular way without a fire and -the preliminary lighting of it," complained Nita, who was the -fault-finder of the Band but was fast out-growing such tendencies. - -"Why I thought you girls all knew how to light the indoors Council Fire -without the slightest danger of destroying anything about you!" -commented Miss Miller, as she went to a small cabinet in the corner, -where most of her Woodcraft material was kept. - -Taking out a small shallow pan and an earthen bowl, the Guide displayed -a squirrel's nest and some wild-wood material in the pan. "I brought -this from the farm for just such an occasion," said she, smiling, as she -placed the earthen bowl on a bread-board and handed the pan to Hilda, -thus silently authorising her to help make fire for that Council. - -"Does the bread-board signify anything?" laughed Jane, the tease of the -group. - -"Not having the logs or imitation fire-place for the centre of the -Council Ring, I thought the next best thing would be a square of wood -upon which to stand the dish. Then too, the bread-board gave me a good -idea which I will mention later," said the Guide. - -While she explained, Miss Miller had gone to the cupboard for the -rubbing sticks and the necessary block and fire-pan of wood. All being -ready for the ceremony, Zan, who was Chief of the Band and Tribe, began. - -The usual call to join in a Council was said and the girls sat down upon -straw mats in a circle about the fire-board. Miss Miller proceeded to -make fire with the rubbing sticks and as the faint spiral of smoke was -seen to rise from the tiny heap of wood-powder, the Woodcrafters called -"How!" - -The smoke thickened and the pungent odour of balsam permeated the room. -When the spark hidden under the black dust ignited the dry tinder held -close to it and a tiny fork of flame shot up, the girls exclaimed, "How! -How!" which is the Woodcraft sign of approval. - -The fire was now placed in the earthen dish and as the wild-wood tinder, -that was placed on top of the fire flared up, the dish was placed on the -board. - -"We will now sing the Omaha Tribal Prayer," continued the Chief, and the -girls stood up to sing while the fire burned in the centre of their -Council Ring. - -Elena Marsh, the artistic member of the Band and the chosen Tally -Keeper, now read the reports and mentioned a few items of interest that -had occurred since leaving the Camp on the Bluff. - -"Now we can hear the Guide's important plan," said Zan, who as Chief of -the Tribe, was not compelled to ask permission to address the Council as -all other members have to do. - -"O Chief! Even as our Guide spoke of a plan, I had a wild idea flash -through my mind and I wonder if it comes anywhere near to being Miss -Miller's idea," said Jane. - -"Share it with your brethren and if it isn't too wild to harness we may -train it to do good service for us," said Zan. - -"Well, you see, there's Nita and you and me--we all have goodly sized -grass-places back of our houses. Why couldn't we raise some tents as -long as the weather is good and camp out there at night?" said Jane -exultantly, for she thought she had anticipated the Guide's plan. - -"That's all right, Jane, but maybe Hilda and Elena and Miss Miller -wouldn't care to trot from their homes every night to sleep in our back -yards," replied Zan, ludicrously as usual. - -The others laughed at the picture outlined by her words, and Miss Miller -added: "I think we have a more important problem than camps just now. -Let us decide about the new Band first and discuss the out-door sleeping -question afterward." - -"I thought you wanted us to settle the matter before the new members -join us to-night?" returned Nita. - -"So I do, but let us first find out who the new members will be, and -then we can better judge whether they will accept this camping-out-doors -idea," answered the Guide. - -"Frances and Anne Mason told me to be sure and vote them in at this -meeting. They are just crazy to join," declared Jane Hubert. - -"And Eleanor Wilbur wants to join us," said Nita. - -"Mildred Howell told Fiji to tell me not to forget and propose her," -ventured Zan. - -"And I know that Ethel Clifford wants to belong to our first Band," -added Elena. - -"Well girls, you each have your new member to win a _coup_, but I -haven't much time out of school to meet the girls, as there is so much -work to do at home. Jack Hubert said this noon that May Randall was -asking for me before I met him. If she will let me propose her I can -keep up with you on this _coup_," said Hilda, whose mother was a trained -nurse, thus letting most of the care of the home fall upon Hilda's -shoulders. - -"She told me that that is why she wants to see you," said Jane. - -"That is very considerate of May Randall," commended Miss Miller. - -"Yes, and it recommends her for membership," added Zan. - -The other girls agreed with this suggestion, and the Guide then said: -"That will make eleven girls in all--counting you five. I think that -ought to be enough to work with this Fall," and Miss Miller began to -write down the names of the six members proposed. - -"But there are loads of other girls who want to join us, Miss Miller," -objected Zan. - -"I suppose there are, but better not add too many new members at one -time, Zan; it will tend to divert your attention from your own progress, -and individual work is most important to you at this period in -Woodcraft. Were you all experienced or old members of the organisation, -I would approve of enlisting the full number of members required for a -Tribe," explained the Guide. - -"How long will we have to wait before we can be a Tribe?" asked Nita, -petulantly. - -"If this experiment with the new members turns out well by Christmas, I -should think we might start the second Band," replied Miss Miller. - -"Goodness, can't we start a Tribe before that?" cried Jane, impatiently. - -"I thought the same as Jane--that we would be Wickeecheokee Band and the -new members be Suwanee Band, and then the two Bands get the charter for -Wako Tribe," added Zan, in a disappointed tone. - -"Some Woodcrafters have done that and found to their despair that the -new Band knew nothing of the work or laws and were continually calling -upon the first Band for help, but not being under the old Chief the -first Band had nothing to say about disciplining or advising them. If -the new members are subject to our Chief, they have to obey orders and -can watch our methods of work for their guidance, and that will spare us -many useless words and much valuable time." - -"Well, as usual, Miss Miller wins the day! Her reasons are as sensible -as helpful," commented Jane. - -"Good-by Suwanee, I'll meet you next year!" sighed Zan, wafting a kiss -with the tips of her fingers to an imaginary Band. - -"Girls, wherever did you find that name? I hunted through an Indian -Dictionary of names but couldn't find a thing like it," asked Miss -Miller, laughingly. - -"If a simple little symbolic name like that stumps you, Miss Miller, -what will happen when you join the Blackfeet Tribe?" laughed Jane. - -"Miss Miller, you know the usual formula given in charades--they begin -thus: 'My first is part of a name, you see, my second is also a part, O -gee!' and so on," explained Zan, while the other girls laughed. - -The Guide puckered her brow for a few moments and the visitors watched -eagerly for her to catch Zan's meaning. Then she laughed, too. - -"I see! Su--comes from Suzanne, the name of our Chief, but so seldom -used that I forgot she ever had another handle to it than just 'Zan.' I -must give up the rest of the charade, however." - -"Maybe it is buried so deep that the uninitiated cannot dig it up, but -we girls thought it quite simple: 'Su' for the Chief, as you said; 'Wa' -for Wako Tribe--plain enough; and 'nee' for all the other members who -are willing to change their names from white man's ways to the Indian's -with its wealth of meaning and beauty." - -As Zan explained, the Guide shook her head as if to admit that it -certainly had been buried far beyond her power to dig. - -"But it sounds pretty, girls," said she finally. - -"Mayhap we will have an improvement on that name before the Band comes -into existence, who knows!" sighed Jane. - -"The sooner we start with the new members, then, the quicker we will -know about the second Band," retorted Zan. - -"Shall we vote now to invite the six girls mentioned?" asked Elena with -Tally Book ready to inscribe the names. - -The motion was made and seconded that the names of the six applicants be -written on the roll and that evening they would be questioned and -admitted if acceptable to the Chief and Guide. - -"Now Miss Miller, if there is nothing else to consider let us hear about -your idea for a camp in the city," said Zan. - -"When I came into this apartment yesterday afternoon, its stuffiness -struck me much the same as you girls said: 'Close and airless.' The -windows were all open but that didn't seem to make any difference. While -still gasping for the cool breezes of Wickeecheokee I went to my den in -the back room and as I stood by the window that opens out on the roof of -the extension downstairs, I made a discovery! Last night I slept as -comfortably out-of-doors as if on the Bluff, and this morning the -English sparrows woke me with their chattering under the eaves three -stories above." - -"Miss Miller! Do tell us what you did?" exclaimed the curious girls. - -"Well, first I took a crex rug from the floor and laid it on the -extension roof to protect the tin from the feet of a cot-bed. Then I -carried out a four-fold screen and with the smaller three-fold screen -from my den, I made suitable protection about the cot. The camp-cot that -I keep in case of an unexpected guest remaining over-night was small and -light, and provided me a good place to rest. The whole affair, screens, -cot, and mat, took up but half of the small roof and early this morning -I slipped back through the open window and dressed, having enjoyed a -fine cooling breeze all night." - -"Oh!" sounded the surprised five girls. - -"You must have slept like a multi-millionaire on his sea-going yacht," -laughed Zan. - -"I did, and without fear of going to the bottom by a torpedo from a -submarine," retorted Miss Miller. - -"We have a wonderful roof on the back verandah--all decked and railed -in," remarked Jane, mentally picturing a row of tents on that desirable -camp-site. - -"I could use the rear porch that opens from our dining-room windows," -added Nita. - -"We have a box-like porch on the second floor that has a back-stair -going down from it. It is screened in and can be used for a -sleeping-place, I s'pose," murmured Elena. - -"Our flat-house was built soon after Noah landed so we have no -sleeping-porch, but I might hang a cot from the fire-escape--until the -police make me take it down," ventured Hilda, with a thoughtful manner. - -The others shouted with merriment at the idea of big muscular Hilda -swinging from a fire-escape over the street. - -"I have my lodging all planned out," now said Zan. "I shall utilise that -square of side-piazza roof over the entrance to Dad's office. It has a -two-foot high coping about it and that makes it perfectly safe for me in -the dark. I can use a screen, too, to hide the cot from the street." - -"You girls have all caught my last-night's idea so suddenly that I -haven't had an opportunity to continue explaining," interrupted Miss -Miller. - -"Proceed, fair lady, and we will hold our peace," said Jane, giggling. - -"As I enjoyed the reviving night-breezes and thought of you poor girls -tossing in warm rooms, I wondered how we might have an out-door place -and still feel secluded from prying eyes. Then I remembered the small -tents we left with Bill on the farm. Those of you who have roof-space -can erect a tent just outside your bed-room window. The tent-opening can -be directly opposite the window so that you can slip in and out without -dread of being seen by the public. What do you think of it?" - -"It's great!" exclaimed Zan, enthusiastically. - -"Not for me," grumbled Hilda. - -"Nor for me," added Nita, "'cause Mama won't think of letting me have -anything so original as a camp-tent within a mile of our house--let -alone on the front roof!" - -"If I speak to your father, who is so delighted at the improvement in -your health, he may induce her to look at the plan with different -conclusions than these you fear," ventured the Guide. - -"Maybe so; Papa said he would do anything on earth to have me keep up -this Woodcraft stunt," admitted Nita. - -"Zan, do you think your father will object if we send to Bill for those -small tents?" now asked Miss Miller. - -"Mercy no! Dad won't say a word if you pitch tents all along our entire -roof and on the front piazza, too, just so there's room between the -canvas cots for his sick patients to find their way to his office-door." - -"The public will think Dr. Baker has opened a Sanatorium," laughed Jane. - -"Or a Fresh Air Clinic for Flat-Dwellers!" added Hilda. - -The others laughed provokingly when they saw Zan flush for they all -liked to tease her. - -Miss Miller saw the sudden gleam of anger flash from Zan's eyes and -quickly said: "Girls, I am now going to indite that letter to Bill -Sherman for the tents--what shall I say and who wants one?" - -"One for Nita, one for Elena, and one for me--and of course Zan wants -one," said Jane. - -"I can use the same one Fiji and Bob had at the beach this Summer," -replied Zan, brightening again. "Jane, why don't you use Jack's, then -the extras can go to Miss Miller and Hilda." - -"But Zan, I haven't a place to camp," said Hilda, dolefully. - -"Then I s'pose you'll have to borrow some of my roof," returned Zan, in -a matter-of-fact voice. - -"Oh Zan, really! I won't mind walking back and forth every morning and -night if you don't mind my using the roof!" sighed Hilda with relief so -great that the others laughed. - -The letter for Bill Sherman, the farmer at Wickeecheokee, was given to -Zan to mail if her father approved of the camp-plan, and then the Guide -excused herself and went out to see if the tea was ready to serve her -guests. - -That evening the six girls came in and Woodcraft reports were read; then -they were invited to join the Band and the conditions of membership -plainly outlined. Needless to add, that everyone agreed eagerly to abide -by the rules and regulations read to them. - -On the way home that evening, however, Eleanor Wilbur whispered to -Frances and Anne Mason who were walking with her: - -"Of course this Woodcraft fun will be fine when we haven't anything -better to do, but you don't intend losing any other fun or meeting -because of it, do you?" - -"Why we are going to go to the regular Councils and meet with the other -girls for work or play, whether it happens when we have invitations for -other parties or fun, or not," declared Frances, the elder of the two -sisters. - -"Oh!" said Eleanor, a trifle disconcerted by the reply. Then after a few -moments of silence she said confidentially: "Don't you think Zan Baker -takes an awful lot for granted from us girls? Just see how she took the -initiative in everything to-night." - -"But Zan Baker is the Chief of the Band and has to take the lead in -Tribal affairs," explained Anne. - -"Oh yes, I know that, but you don't understand what I mean. I think she -is too domineering in her office and Miss Miller certainly shows a great -partiality for her. Of course everyone knows that Miss Miller bows -humbly at the Doctor's shrine just because he got her the position at -High School Gym!" said Eleanor, significantly. - -"Why Ella! It isn't true! I know for a fact that Dr. Baker merely -suggested to the Board that Miss Miller had resigned from college where -she had taught for years. Most of us knew what a treasure she is, and -the Board were only too glad to have her consider our school, because -the salary is half what she was accustomed to receive," defended -Frances. - -Eleanor kept silence, but Anne added: "And we girls feel sorry for Miss -Miller because she gave up that college position when her mother was -left alone and needed her at home!" - -The afternoon following the meeting at Miss Miller's home, Hilda fairly -bounced into the gymnasium where the Guide could generally be found for -some time after school-hours. - -"Oh, Miss Miller, I have the loveliest camp-ground!" - -"Better than the fire-escape?" laughed the Guide. - -"Better than the roof of a porch! And the funny thing about it is that -the janitor of our building came up himself and said: 'Miss Hilda, I -feel sorry for you these hot nights, so you can sleep on the roof if you -like!' - -"Miss Miller, I never breathed a word to him about a tent, but he took -me up and showed me where I could pitch a small tent between the great -water-tank and the square box-like place where the roof-steps come up. A -stone parapet almost three feet high runs all around the roof, you know, -so there isn't any danger of my falling off even if I walked in my -sleep--which I never do." - -"I think that is fine for you, Hilda," smiled Miss Miller, but she did -not add that she had spoken secretly to the janitor that morning on her -way to school. - -"Mother has no objections to this if I will take Paul up with me. Paul -thinks the plan a dandy one so he will be benefited too. I will place a -screen about his cot or mine so that I will have privacy." - -"Or you could hang a curtain from a ring at one side of the tent to one -at the opposite side. Then Paul could pull or push the muslin to suit -himself, and it would not be ruined by rain," suggested Miss Miller. - -"I'm so glad that we live on the top floor of the house, 'cause it will -be an easy matter to run up or down the short flight of stairs going to -the roof. When I told mother about it she laughed and said: 'You always -used to grumble about climbing the four flights from the street, but I -know how much pleasanter it is to be on top instead of under a noisy -family in a flat.'" - -"Your mother is quite right, and then the air is always better the -higher one goes, and the rents are lower--the last not a mean -consideration, either," added the Guide. - -Jane Hubert came in just then, and her smile signified good news. -"Father never made the slightest objection to the camp idea but he has a -still better one for me. He says he will erect Jack's tent on the lawn -under a group of birches that grow near the high brick wall at the back -of our place." - -Then Nita came in. "Miracles will never cease, Miss Miller. Not only is -Mama quite reconciled to my camping on the first-story extension roof -where there is a concrete flooring and a parapet to three sides, but she -is taking an active part in rearranging my bed-room so that I can step -in and out of the French windows without falling over cushioned -window-seats and gim-cracks standing about." - -"This is the best news yet, Nita! I felt sure the other girls would have -no trouble gaining permission to camp out. Now we only have to hear from -Elena, as Zan started in to arrange her tent this noon, I hear." - -"Oh, Elena told me that she could have her tent on the roof of the -side-verandah as planned instead of on the boxed-in porch at the back," -hurriedly informed Jane. - -"Thank goodness we will be able to enjoy the Spirit's blessing of sweet -fresh air that is free for all mankind," said Miss Miller, earnestly. - -"To say nothing of enjoying a continuation of Woodcraft out-of-doors -right in a great city," added Jane. - - - - -CHAPTER TWO--THE NEW MEMBERS - - -Miss Miller had secured permission to use the gymnasium for the weekly -Council Meetings of the Woodcrafters, so she was already there when the -members of Wickeecheokee Band and the new members appeared to hold -Council. - -"Girls, I bought some straw mats at the ten-cent store that I thought we -could use about the Council Fire," said the Guide, as the girls all -congregated about her desk. - -"What about those small logs of wood we worked at so hard to bark and -smooth down?" asked Nita. - -"I thought we might make them presentable and then cut and paint -symbolic totems on them to make them look like genuine Indian seats," -said Miss Miller. - -"Aren't they quite good enough as they are?" said Eleanor Wilbur, -pushing at one of the logs with a slender foot. - -"I thought they were fine when we barked them but now that we are at -home and a better idea has been given us I approve of following Miss -Miller's suggestion," replied Jane. - -"Dad brought home some more of those short fire-place logs when he came -back from the farm yesterday. He says we may want these thin logs for -some other purpose; and besides, since enrolling our new members we -haven't enough of these present logs for all to use. They ought to be -uniform so _I_ say we use the mats until we have the thick logs ready to -present the Lodge," explained Zan. - -"Girls--I have an idea!" cried Elena, the artistic. - -"Hold fast to it or it'll get away from you," taunted Hilda, jokingly. - -"S-sh!" said Zan. "Let her go, Lena." - -"About those thin logs we have on hand: Let's build an imitation -fire-place for our Council Ring to make it look as much as possible like -one in a woodland camp!" - -"Couldn't we place our dish of smoking tinder inside it and make the -artifice still better?" asked Jane. - -"Oh I say!" shouted Zan with such emphasis that everyone jumped, and the -speaker laughed. - -"Where's that red tissue paper we had for Decoration Day trimming of the -school auditorium?" asked Zan. - -"You'll find it in the property-room with the other stuff," replied -Elena, who had charge of decorations at school. - -"We'll line the inside of the logs and when the fire shines through, -make it look like a big blaze, eh?" asked Jane. - -"No such thing!" said Zan. "We'll get the janitor to change that -electric bulb from the chandelier and drop it, by wire, down to our -fire. Then it will shine as long as we need it." - -"I'll run and see if the janitor is around. Will he do it, do you think, -Miss Miller?" came from Hilda. - -"I think so, he is very obliging, you know," replied the Guide. - -"And I'll get the paper," remarked Elena. - -"You won't need to do that, Lena, because I have orange crpe paper in -the closet that I bought when I got the mats. I had much the same idea -in mind for those logs," said Miss Miller, going to the closet while one -of the girls ran for the janitor. - -The care-taker of the building not only changed the bulb in a short time -but assisted Miss Miller in rolling the logs from the closet to the -place where the Council Ring could be arranged. The girls built up a -square fire-place with a hollow opening in the middle where the electric -bulb soon depended. The paper was fitted inside the square and when the -electric current was turned on it looked like a glowing fire. - -This done, four candles were placed at the fire--one at each corner of -the square to denote the four corners of the earth. - -"I purchased extra long candles so they would burn two hours, at least. -Now that we have the electric bulb we need not waste the extra candles -for fire-light but save them for some other occasion," remarked Miss -Miller. - -"Everything ready now for Council?" asked Zan, looking around at the -members. - -"Everything we can think of," responded Jane. - -"Before we open the Council meeting in the usual manner I would like our -Chief to read from the Woodcraft Manual for Girls on page 10, where it -speaks of initiations and new members," requested Miss Miller, handing -the book to Zan. - -"'When brought into some new group such as the school or club, one is -naturally anxious to begin by making a good impression on the others, by -showing what one can do, proving what one is made of, and by making -clear one's seriousness in asking to be enrolled. So also those who form -the group: they wish to know whether the new-comer is made of good -stuff, and is likely to be a valuable addition to their number. The -result is what we call initiation trials, the testing of a new-comer. - -"'The desire to initiate and be initiated is a very ancient deep-laid -impulse. Handled judiciously and under the direction of a competent -adult guide, it becomes a powerful force for character building, for -inculcating self-control. - -"'In Woodcraft we carefully select for these try-outs such tests as -demonstrate the character and ability of the new-comer, and the -initiation becomes a real proof of fortitude, so that the new girl is as -keen to face the trial, as the Tribe she would enter is to give it.'" - -Zan finished reading and looked up to ask: "Is that all you want me to -read, Miss Miller?" - -"Just a moment, Zan. I now wish to speak a word to the new members about -what is expected of them. We will leave the paragraph about the -initiation trials for the last, then the girls will not forget what they -are to do. Read now the paragraph that mentions the new work for -members." - -So Zan continued. "'After the new member has learned the Laws and taken -the initiation tests, the first thing to claim her attention is that of -qualifying for the rank of Pathfinder and later of Winyan, then the -Achievements, each with its appropriate badge, which are described on -page 327 of the Manual. In time she will have a Woodcraft suit, but this -may come later." - -"Now Zan," interrupted the Guide, "turn over to page 18 and read (the -new members) what we expect a Wayseeker to do and be. A Wayseeker is the -first order of a Big Lodge Girl's membership." - -"'To qualify for a Big Lodge--that is, to enter as a Wayseeker--one -must: - -"'Be over twelve years of age. - -"'Know the twelve Laws and state the advantages of them. - -"'Take one of the initiations. - -"'Be voted in unanimously by other members of the group. - -"'Having passed this, the candidate becomes a Wayseeker and receives the -Big Lodge Badge of the lowest rank, that is with two tassels on it. - -"'The next higher rank is that of Pathfinder,'" read Zan. - -"So you see, girls, you six will be Wayseekers if you pass the trials -and fulfil the requirements just read to you," said the Guide. "Now Zan, -will you please read from page 24--the meaning of a Council Ring? Better -begin at the bottom of the page where I have marked the sentence for -you." - -Zan turned over the pages till she found the place indicated and read: -"'Why do we sit in a circle around a fire? That is an old story and a -new one. - -"'Then, too, a circle is the best way of seating a group. Each has her -place and is so seated as to see everything and be seen by everybody. As -a result each feels a very real part in the proceedings as they could -not feel if there were corners in which one could hide. The circle is -dignified and it is democratic. It was with this idea that King Arthur -abolished the old-fashioned long table with two levels, one above the -salt for the noble folk and one below for the common herd, and founded -the Round Table. At his table all who were worthy to come were on the -same level, were brothers, equal in dignity and responsibility, and each -in honour bound to do his share. The result was a kindlier spirit, a -sense of mutual dependence. - -"'These are the thoughts of our Council Ring. These are among the -reasons why our Council is always in a circle and if possible around the -fire. The memory of those long-gone days is brought back again with -their simple reverent spirit, their sense of brotherhood, when we sit as -our people used to sit about the fire and smell the wood-smoke of -Council.'" - -As Zan concluded, the experienced Woodcrafters cried: "How! How!" - -"I suppose the new members know why we called our Band Wickeecheokee -Band of Wako Tribe of Woodcrafters?" asked Miss Miller, with a slight -nod in the direction of the six girls. - -The new members looked at each other for the answer and the Guide -continued to explain: - -"Wickeecheokee is an old Indian name discovered on the ancient records -of the County Seat in New Jersey where the farm owned by Dr. Baker is -located. The English interpretation of the name means, 'Crystal Waters.' -Dr. Baker's farm where we camped last Summer has this lovely mountain -stream falling down the steep side to the Bluff which is a rocky ledge -over-hanging a pool of about a hundred yards wide, thence it rushes on -to the Big Bridge near the turnpike road. That is why the doctor named -his farm after the stream--'Wickeecheokee.'" - -"I wish to goodness we girls could have been there with you," sighed -Anne Mason. - -"'According to the Constitution of Woodcraft, our purpose is to learn -the out-door life for its worth in the building up of our bodies and the -helping and strengthening of our souls; that we may go forth with the -seeing eye, and the "thinking hand" to learn the pleasant ways of the -woods and of life, that we may be made in all wise masters of ourselves; -facing life without flinching, ready to take our part among our fellows -in all the problems which arise, rejoicing when some trial comes, that -the Great Spirit finds us the rulers of strong souls in their worthy -tabernacles.' - -"Each one of you girls is past twelve years of age, so that point is -covered. Now we will ascertain who of the new members know the law, who -are acceptable to this Band, and who can prove worthy according to the -initiation tests. You will all begin at the lowest rank if accepted in -the Band--that of Wayseeker. Now Zan, read aloud the initiation test -from page 11 of our Manual." - -The Chief turned back to the page mentioned and read: "'The trial should -be approved by the Council and be given to the candidate when her name -is proposed for membership--that is, posted on the Totem Pole where it -remains for seven suns. In camp a shorter time may be allowed at the -discretion of the leaders. - -_1. Silence._ Keep absolute silence for six hours during the daytime in -camp, while mixing freely with the life of the camp. In the city keep -silence from after school till bedtime. - -_2. Keep Good-natured._ Keep absolutely unruffled for one day of twelve -hours, giving a smiling answer to all. - -_3. Exact Obedience._ For one week give prompt, smiling obedience to -parents, teachers, and those who have authority over you. This must be -certified to by those in question. - -_4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article_, such as a basket, a bench, a bed, -a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc. - -_5. Sleep out_, without a built roof overhead, for three nights -consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.' - -"Now that you have heard what the tests are how many of you believe you -can qualify--answer by raising your right hand and by the word of -Woodcraft approval?" - -The six girls raised six hands and then looked at each other sheepishly -because the word "How" seemed so meaningless to them. - -"I forgot to explain that this word 'How' means 'yes' or 'thanks' or -'approval,'" hastily added the Guide. - -Then all said "How!" and the other five girls felt that their new -members were doing fine work. - -"Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while we are at it?" asked Zan. - -The Guide then demonstrated the sign and action, saying: "The hand sign -of the girls is the 'Sun in the heart, rising to the Zenith'--given by -the right hand being placed over the heart, the first finger and the -thumb making a circle, then swinging the forearm so the hand is level -with the forehead, thus--." - -Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with the meeting. - -"In case any of you are not familiar with the Woodcraft Laws I will read -them aloud to you. And Miss Miller, I would suggest right here, that the -new members write to Headquarters at once and order a Girl's Manual. -They will need it daily, and I can't spare mine, you know. We really -couldn't accomplish much without this printed Guide of rules and -instruction and guides." - -Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new members: - -"'_1. Be Brave._ Courage is the noblest of all gifts. - -_2. Be Silent_, while your elders are speaking and otherwise show them -deference. - -_3. Obey._ Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcraft Girl. - -_4. Be Clean._ Both yourself and the place you live in. - -_5. Understand and respect your body._ It is the temple of the Spirit. - -_6. Be a friend of all harmless wild life._ Conserve the woods and -flowers, and especially be ready to fight wild-fire in forest or in -town. - -_7. Word of Honour is sacred._ - -_8. Play Fair._ Foul play is treachery. - -_9. Be Reverent._ Worship the Great Spirit and respect all worship of -Him by others. - -_10. Be Kind._ Do at least one act of unbargaining service every day. - -_11. Be Helpful._ Do your share of the work. - -_12. Be Joyful._ Seek the joy of being alive.' - -These are the twelve laws that every good Woodcrafter tries to live up -to. Now if the Fire Maker will make fire for our Council, I will explain -the rays that shine from each of the four candles--one at each corner of -the earth." - -The Chief waited for Jane, who was Fire Maker for that meeting, to take -the rubbing sticks and when she stood ready to begin the fire-making, -Zan said: - -"Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo Omnee-chee-yaynee-chopi." - -The opening words of Council concluded by the Chief, Jane placed the -fire sticks in their proper position and began to saw back and forth -with the bow until a tiny spiral of smoke rose from the fire-block. - -The Guide watching, said, "Now light we the Council Fire after the -manner of the Red man, even also as the rubbing together of two trees in -the storm-winds brings forth the fire from the forest wood." - -Jane blew gently upon the small pyramid of black powder in the fire-pan -until the smoke grew thicker. She then waved it slowly back and forth -still blowing gently until a minute spark glowed under the black dust. -At that the girls all cried: - -"How! How!" - -Then a handful of inflammable wild-wood material was touched to the -spark and as the smoke curled upward filling the immediate vicinity with -an aromatic pine odour, a tiny flame shot out. - -"How! How!" again chorused the Woodcrafters, and the tinder now burning -brightly, was placed in the earthen dish and the dish set in the -enclosure made by the logs. - -With the flame bursting forth, Miss Miller quoted: "Now know we that -Wakanda the Great Spirit hath been pleased to smile upon His children, -hath sent down the sacred fire. By this we know He will be present at -our Council, that His wisdom will be with us." - -After this Zan read again from the Manual: - -"'Four candles are there on the Shrine of this our symbol fire. And from -them reach twelve rays--twelve golden strands of this the Law we hold. - -From the Lamp of Fortitude are these: - -_Be Brave._ For fear is the foundation of all ill; unflinchingness is -strength. - -_Be Silent._ It is harder to keep silence than to speak in hour of -trial, but in the end it is stronger. - -_Obey._ For Obedience means self-control, which is the sum of the law. - -And these are the Rays from Beauty's Lamp: - -_Be Clean._ For there is no perfect beauty without cleanliness of body, -soul, and estate. The body is the sacred temple of the Spirit, therefore -reverence your body. Cleanliness helps first yourself, then those around -you, and those who keep this law are truly in their country's loving -service. - -_Understand and Respect Your Body._ It is the temple of the Spirit, for -without health can neither strength nor beauty be. - -_Protect All Harmless Wild-life_ for the joy its beauty gives. - -And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth: - -_Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred._ This is the law of truth, and anyone -not bound by this cannot be bound; and truth is wisdom. _Play Fair._ For -fair play is truth and foul play is treachery. - -Reverence the Great Spirit, and all worship of Him, for none have all -the truth, and all who reverently worship have claims on our respect. - -And these are the Rays in the Blazing Lamp of Love: - -_Be Kind._ Do at least one act of unbargaining service every day even as -ye would enlarge the crevice whence a spring runs forth to make its -blessings more. - -_Be Helpful._ Do your share of the work for the glory that service -brings, for the strength one gets in serving. - -_Be Joyful._ Seek the joy of being alive--for every reasonable gladness -you can get or give is treasure that can never be destroyed, and like -the spring-time gladness doubles, every time with others it is shared.'" - -Zan concluded reading the interesting words of Woodcraft meaning and the -girls murmured "How!" - -"Now I will propose the name of each applicant in turn and the Band must -second and approve her admission to this Tribe if that is their -pleasure. As I call out the name will the girl please stand until the -vote is taken?" - -"Frances Mason is the first applicant," said Miss Miller. - -Frances stood and paid earnest attention to the next rite but Eleanor -Wilbur who sat directly back of Frances as she stood up, kicked at her -ankles and giggled as if the whole procedure were a huge joke. Although -known to the others, the disrespect was overlooked at the time. - -"Frances, is it your serious desire to become a member of this Woodcraft -Band?" questioned the Chief. - -"It is," replied Frances, trying hard to keep from crying out as Eleanor -pinched her leg. - -"Then learn the laws of the League as well as the laws of our Band. To -memorise the meaning of the Four Lesser Lights that shine from the -shrine of the Great Light, the Sacred Fire. By taking the initiation -tests as read for your benefit and by being acceptable to every member -of Wickeecheokee Band. - -"Are there any present who wish to register a complaint why Frances -should not be admitted to our Band or the League?" asked Zan, as she -looked around the circle. - -No one complained, but a stage whisper was heard from Eleanor saying: -"Everyone's afraid to speak even if they do know something against -Frances." - -The whisper was disconcerting but Eleanor tittered as if she thought -herself very witty, and as Frances took her seat beside the rude girl, -expecting to give her a piece of her mind, the Guide stood up. - -"O Chief! While you were addressing the new member, I glanced over the -Manual to see if we had omitted any necessary reading, and I find we -have all made a serious blunder. Whereas we have six applicants for -membership in this Band, the Manual clearly states that no Band shall -have more than ten members. We will be compelled to drop one of the -applicants." - -This unexpected news acted like a bucket of cold water on the girls as -no one wished to be dropped. After a serious debate, the Chief announced -a possible solution. - -"We will post the names of the six girls on the Totem Pole and at the -expiration of the period set for testing, the one who falls short of the -mark must resign or, at least, wait for the second Band which will form -at Christmastime." - -This plan met with approval and each new member then and there decided -not to be the one left out when the enrollment came. So the six girls -were admitted on probation. - -"Now Chief, post the names on the Totem and we will stand it near the -door where everyone coming in or going out can read who the applicants -are," said the Guide. - -"I s'pose you are doing that to advertise your club," remarked Eleanor, -unpleasantly. - -"Eleanor Wilbur! A Chump Mark against your credit, for you are on trial -now and must not speak out of order in Council without giving the Chief -the proper salute and respect," said Zan, sternly. - -"Why how ridiculous of you to give yourself such airs, Zan Baker! Anyone -would think this was business and not fun!" jeered Eleanor. - -"It _is_ business I'll have you understand, and if you wish to regard it -as a butt for your insults or disobedience you can resign this very -minute!" declared Zan, her eyes snapping fire. - -But Eleanor had no desire to resign from the only thing she knew of -where sport for the Winter days could be had. So she shrugged her -shoulders and sulked. - -The other girls were duly advised and then the Chief ordered the Tally -Keeper to enter the record in the book and to print the paper that was -to be posted on the Totem in as artistic a manner as she could think of. - -"Now before we adjourn, is there any request to be made in behalf of the -Band?" asked the Guide. - -"O Chief! I wish to ask a question," said Nita, standing. - -"Speak, O Sister!" replied Zan. - -"I talked of a plan while Elena and I were walking over here, and she -thinks it is fine and dandy! It will help us to remember the woods and -look forward to a camp next Summer." - -"Not that we need an incentive for that!" laughed Zan. - -"No, but in Winter we'll find it mighty funny to sit in this Gym and -fancy we are Indians out in the forests. But follow Elena's instructions -and you'll believe you're at Wickeecheokee all Winter," replied Nita, -suggestively. - -Nita sat down and Elena stood up. "O Chief! Nita and I wish to propose -that we imitate the woods by scenery. We can buy some cheap cotton or -canvas stuff and paint trees and rocks and the stream like those at our -Summer Camp. We can even go so far as to have birds singing on the -boughs and flying in the blue sky." - -Elena waited a moment to see the effect of her announcement and Zan -said: "The blue sky seems to be the limit with your offer!" - -The others grinned and Elena frowned momentarily. "Don't you think it a -good plan?" - -"Fine plan for a house-painter. But who under the sun is willing to stay -home for weeks and paint miles of scenery?" retorted Zan. - -"Why it won't be much trouble. Nita and I will offer to paint the scenes -if you girls will make the uprights to fasten the stuff on when -finished," said Elena, anxiously. - -"Have you figured out how much this may cost us, Nita?" asked the Guide. - -"No because I don't know how large we may need it. But any cheap cotton -goods will do, you know." - -"Miss Miller, we might find out about that," said Elena. - -"The new members can begin first lessons in carpentry, too," added Jane. - -After discussing the idea, and with Elena's added description of how -beautiful it would look--to have Pine Nob showing against the sky in the -distance, and Old Baldy back of Fiji's cave, the Woodcrafters -unanimously declared that they must have that scenery or lose all -interest in the Winter Camp in the Gymnasium. - -Miss Miller shook her head dubiously for she knew what a tremendous -undertaking it would prove to be to paint nicely all the yards of -material needed to enclose a Council Ring. - -"Anyway it will do no harm to get prices on stuff and the necessary -paint," said Zan, and it was so decided. - -"Nita and I will attend to that part of it if you girls will get the -cost of lumber, etc., for the uprights," added Elena. - -"O Chief!" said Jane, thinking of a plan to save costs. "Why not use -that side wall of the Gym and do away with that many uprights and -stretchers?" - -"O Chief! for that matter, why not use a corner of this hall and have -two sides ready made and substantial, and use the uprights for the other -two sides? With the scenery stretched on all four sides, who will ever -know there is a solid wall of city plaster back of two sides?" suggested -the Guide. - -"But it will be a 'corner in wood,'" added Zan, facetiously. - -"Wah! Wah!" instantly sounded from every old Woodcrafter present. The -new members looked about for an explanation. - -"'How' is the term for approval and 'Wah!' for disapproval, or no," -explained the Guide, smiling at the reception given Zan's wit. - -"Corner or not, that last suggestion is all right!" declared Hilda. - -"And instead of tacking the scenery on top of the poles and having it -sag between each upright, why not have a wire or rope stretched taut -from one pole to the next, and so on, and hang the scenery by means of -hooks?" continued the Guide. - -"I suppose such common commodities as clothes-pins would be spurned by -Indians," ventured Hilda. - -"I should say 'double yes'!" retorted Zan, slangily. - -"It is most apparent that Zan is associating with the 'causes' of her -slang again. She said this Summer that the habit was the fault of -hearing her brothers use it so freely," remarked Miss Miller. - -"This time it was the fault of Hilda's clothes-pins," laughed Zan. - -"Well anyway, clothes-pins are made of forest stuff and curtain pins are -not!" defended Hilda. - -"I will offer my services to the Band and inquire of an interior -decorator I know, to see what would be the best hanger," said the Guide. - -"All right, Miss Miller, you do that and we will attend to the rest," -added Jane. - -"I suppose two white-wash brushes ought to be better to paint with than -camels-hair No. 0," laughed Elena. - -"Use whatever you like but for goodness' sake, girls, don't put your -'atmosphere' on too thick! It will take an age to dry out if you do," -commented Zan. - -Then the Council ended with the singing of the Zui Sunset Song and the -quenching of the Council Fire--in this case the electric current was -switched off and the log fire-place taken back to the closet. When -everything was in order, the girls left and went home, eagerly talking -over the beautiful scenery-to-be. - - - - -CHAPTER THREE--HEARD IN THE "SCENIC FOREST" - - -After leaving the other girls at the corner of Maple Avenue, May Randall -and Eleanor Wilbur walked on alone. May was large for her age, but most -enthusiastic over Woodcraft as she was a devotee of gymnastics and all -out-door exercises. - -"Isn't that Woodcraft foolishness a perfect scream?" said Eleanor, -jeeringly. - -May looked at her companion with surprise. "A scream! Why don't you -think it is splendid?" - -"Oh, it answers well enough when one has nothing else to do, but you -won't catch me giving my time to making things or helping work just to -boost a League that wants free advertising," retorted Eleanor. - -"Why Eleanor Wilbur! You know that isn't true. Why would the Woodcraft -League want advertising? They should worry whether we girls boost or -not. The cost of keeping this thing going is far beyond what we pay in. -That Manual alone is worth ten times the price we are charged for it. -Then too, each Band has the free right to make its own individual laws -and work or meet as it likes," defended May. - -"I suppose you are so mesmerised by Zan and Miss Miller, who are crazy -about the thing, that you can't see how silly the ideas of Council, or -singing, or obeying laws are! Of course the camping and fun are all -right!" - -"If that's the way you feel about it why not resign now before your name -is posted on the Totem? You know there is one too many." - -"Why should I resign when I want some fun this Winter? Resign yourself -if there is one too many! If I had the money Jane Hubert or Zan Baker -have for an allowance, you wouldn't catch me wasting time with your old -Band. I'd go to a matinee every chance I'd get, and have other fun, too. -But I never get enough spending-money to buy decent candy, let alone go -to a good show!" complained Eleanor. - -May made no reply but she looked at her companion, and Eleanor, glancing -at her as she concluded, read May's thoughts. - -"I suppose you are such a Pharisee that you couldn't think of anything -so wicked as a theatre or a little supper-party," ventured Eleanor, with -a mean sneer. - -"I guess I'll turn down this street and walk home alone. I prefer it to -any such company as you can offer me," retorted May. And that sentence -caused all the after trouble. - -"Old hypocrite!" muttered Eleanor to herself, as she went on alone. "She -thinks by pandering to the first Woodcrafters she'll push herself in. -But those five girls are too clannish to admit outsiders into their -charmed circle, and that sweet pussy-footed Miller is worst of all!" - -Hence Eleanor was not in the friendliest of moods when she met May at -school the following morning. She pretended not to see her and only when -May spoke directly to her, did she reply. May said nothing to the other -girls about the conversation that took place between them on that walk -home the day before, although Eleanor thought she had. - -The names of the six members-to-be were posted on the Totem Pole which -was placed at the entrance to the gymnasium where every scholar going in -or coming out could read the notice. - -At recess-time the Woodcrafters were the centre of attraction and many -eager requests from other girls to be allowed to join the Tribe, was the -result of the notice on the Totem Pole. - -"Just can't do it, girls! We have one too many as it is. A Band is only -allowed ten members and we have eleven proposed, so one has to be -dropped," explained Zan. - -"Which one?" asked Martha Wheaton, curiously. - -"We won't know until the time for testing is up. The one that falls -short will have to make a graceful exit, I s'pose," replied Jane. - -"It ought to be Eleanor Wilbur, then. She's going around telling -everybody what a farce the whole business is. She acts as if she had a -bone to pick with you girls. Did anything happen at the Council to -antagonise her?" said Martha. - -"Why--no! I thought she was enjoying herself immensely. I'll go and ask -her if she intends to drop out," said Zan. - -"But don't tell who told you! I don't want to get in bad with her--you -know what a mean tongue she has!" hurriedly cried Martha, wishing she -had kept quiet about the entire affair. - -"Hey, there, Ella! Wait a minute--I want to see you!" called Zan, -running after the girl who was making for the doorway. - -"What do you want? I'm going in to study!" snapped Eleanor, fearing Zan -meant to find fault with her about May Randall. - -"I just heard something about your way of looking at our Woodcraft work, -so you'd better make up your mind to-day whether you meant what you said -or not. There're piles of other girls only waiting a chance to grab what -you laugh at!" Zan spoke angrily as she stood at the foot of the -door-steps looking up at Eleanor. - -Eleanor half-turned at the entrance door and sneered: "I read part of -that poky Manual last night, and I couldn't find a single thing there -that would authorise a Chief to call down a member of the Tribe outside -of Woodcraft meetings. I can do or say what I please without your -over-bearing dominion of my rights!" - -Zan felt like throwing her Latin book at Eleanor's head, but Jane ran up -and whispered: "Forget it! Give her rope enough and she'll hang herself, -all right!" - -And as Zan turned away with Jane, Eleanor watched them and thought to -herself: "I'd better not say anything that'll get to that Miller's ears, -or she'll remove my name from the Totem without as much as saying 'By -your leave!' But I'll have it out on that May Randall, all right, for -tattling what she should have considered a confidential talk." - -Down in her heart, Eleanor knew she wanted to be a member of Woodcraft, -not for the fun alone, but because she saw what it had done for the five -girls that Summer. She longed to be a different type of girl from what -she generally was, but so all-powerful was her human will that it kept -her from doing or saying what she really wished to; and so cowardly was -the trait to make strangers believe her charmingly perfect, that she -generally found herself in trouble about one friend or another. Even at -home, she praised the maid to her face and then denounced her to her -mother. Had she dared she might have carried out the same hypocrisy -between her mother and father, but Mr. Wilbur was the one being for whom -she had any fear or respect, so she never misrepresented things to him. - -It was not the _real_ Eleanor that scoffed at Woodcraft and gossiped -injuriously about it, but the weak mortal self that was the wretched -counterfeit of the real and true Eleanor. The girl had not yet -discovered this duality in her nature, but she had felt a growing -dissatisfaction with herself and her environment since entering High -School, and this unhappy state of mind aggravated her desire to belittle -others or their efforts to climb to a higher plane of living. - -Had Eleanor stopped to diagnose her feelings and actions she would have -realised that the "misunderstandings" (as she termed the quarrels and -trouble resulting from her poisoned darts of gossip) could be easily -traced to the vindictive and malicious desires she entertained, while -the sweet and pure and altogether attractive qualities that had been -paramount in her early childhood years were becoming weaker and weaker -through lack of expression. So at fourteen, at the character-forming -time when a girl needs to be on guard that all undesirable tendencies -are carefully eliminated to keep them from taking root for all future -years, Eleanor, and those she associated with, were in a constant state -of confusion and irritation created by her stubborn and selfish -wilfulness. - -During the week following the first Council meeting of the new members, -the Band bought materials and began work on the forest scenery and -wooden upright stands. Elena, Nita, and May Randall were given the roll -of white duck to paint, while the other girls measured and sawed and -hammered the 2 x 4 timbers to make the uprights necessary to hold the -scenic walls of the woodland camp. - -All that week Eleanor had been one of the first of the Woodcrafters to -be on hand, but the moment the actual carpentry began, she would sigh, -and scoff, and belittle the efforts of the others, or wonder why anyone -spent good time on such foolish ideas! - -Miss Miller had heard rumours of Eleanor's gossip and she overheard -several disturbing criticisms made during the work on the carpentry, but -she said nothing at the time. - -Of all the people who knew Eleanor well, Miss Miller was about the only -one who studied the girl and understood the _chemicalisation_, so to -speak, of the processes going on within the girl's consciousness. The -evil desires were fermenting and souring her nature while the sweetness -and purifying elements were gradually being spoiled so that presently, a -Judas-natured individual would claim the victory over the true, and the -battle would be lost for the side of the divine and eternal self. - -It was with a thrill of gratitude then, that the Guide recalled her deep -perplexities over the waywardness of Nita, that same Summer on the Farm. -How she had studied every phase of the problem and finally won out to -the ever-growing betterment of the girl. - -"If I can only win the slightest hold on this girl's innate goodness and -learn how to appeal to her higher self, I feel sure I can weed out the -'tares' even if it takes a long time. It is well worth the fight for the -'wheat' waiting to be garnered," murmured Miss Miller as she reached the -Gymnasium door. Which goes to show what the Guide really thought of -Woodcraft and the privileges given her whereby to improve the morals and -manners of the girls entrusted to her care. - -"Everybody waiting for me to-day?" cheerily called the Guide as she -hurried in where the girls were waiting to hold a Saturday afternoon -Council. - -"Yes, we're crazy to pass judgment on the scenery. Elena makes such a -secret of it that not one of us has seen it since she had it sketched -out with charcoal. It's back there in that huge roll. The boys brought -it in the car a few minutes ago," explained Zan. - -"And did you finish the uprights so we can hang the duck?" asked Miss -Miller. - -"Everything is back in the corner where we decided to have our forest," -replied Jane. - -"Then we can go right to work and place our trees and seats, and some of -you can build the log fire-place in the centre for a Council," said the -energetic Guide. - -A hubbub of instructions and calls and running to and fro continued -after this for some time. Miss Miller tried to superintend the raising -of the "huge forest timbers." - -"Say! Won't one of you girls with nothing to do help me hook up this -side of the trees?" called Elena, anxiously, as she found the weight of -the duck too heavy to manage alone. - -"You've got the trees upside-down!" laughed Jane. - -"No I haven't! That's the way Nita painted this piece," retorted Elena. - -"Why it looks more like an early settler's log stockade than the -beautiful woodland hillside back of the Bluff," replied surprised Jane, -eyeing the painting with her head on one side. - -"S-sh! Nita'll hear you! She is so proud of it! She says it is a much -better line of trees than my forest!" whispered Elena, proudly -displaying her art work. - -Zan came over to assist in hanging the duck and smiled behind the -painting as she heard Elena explain the various "scenes" depicted on the -great stretch of cotton. - -"This is the flat rock where we sat telling bedtime stories; here is the -swimming pool, and up there is Fiji's cave. I tried to get in Bill's -cottage below the Bluff but my paint gave out," explained Elena, as the -three girls lifted and stretched the canvas and hung the hooks over the -taut wire. - -"But the way you measured and cut the scenery, we'll have to unhook the -cave and Bluff every time we need one side open. You made the other -three sides all stockade, you see," commented Zan. - -"That's so! I never thought of that. We will have to omit one whole side -at times, won't we?" responded Elena, - -"Still, I think it will be easier to fold down or hang up a Bluff than -to hew through a great row of giant tree-trunks, Zan," laughed Jane. - -Finding Elena too serious over her painting to laugh or enjoy a joke -about it, the other two girls called that all was ready for the admiring -audience. - -As the group stood about the Council circle looking over the woodland -scene, some smiled, some sniffed, and some looked delighted at the -result. Miss Miller saw the disappointment on Nita's face and remarked: -"We joyfully accept this attempt to paint the cherished mental picture -of Wickeecheokee Camp--a scene that defies all words or arts to -describe." - -"But Miss Miller, you must admit that this scenery is misleading to new -Woodcrafters. We have ranted of stars, and streams, and the breath of -balsam pines; but where, oh where, is there any such 'atmosphere' to be -found in this painting!" Zan cried dramatically, as she posed and threw -out both arms towards the canvas. - -"Atmosphere! Good gracious, Zan, can you ask for more!" laughed Jane, in -response to Zan's call. "Did you ever smell such an odour of the -turpentine that comes from pine?" - -The girls all laughed but Nita complained pathetically: - -"If you girls _knew_ the job it was to smear all that paint on the old -stuff, you wouldn't poke fun at the trees. Why, the duck soaked up my -paint as fast as I put it on, so of course I had to use gallons of turp -to make it spread at all. Even then, it dried before I could shade any -bark on my trees." - -"You all say I am too matter-of-fact a cook to be an artist, but I bet I -could take a handful of the superfluous paint on those trees and knead -it into something resembling 'tall timbers'," now commented Hilda. - -"No one could! Why we had to hang the duck along the wall of our attic -and stand on an old library table while we painted the tops of the -trees! Just try to make bark or leaves on a tree that has to be painted -with a heavy kalsomine brush. Our arms got so lame before we painted an -hour that we fairly cried with the ache in the bones," said Elena, -defiantly. - -"Yes, and Elena's attic is so bespattered with raw umber and ivory black -that Mrs. Marsh says she will have to stain the entire floor now to make -it look decent again," added Nita. - -"Well girls, we are all genuine Woodcrafters, so we hail with -thanksgiving this scenery that fills our lungs with the pungent odour of -the forest. I, for one, will breathe deeply of this pine product!" -laughed Miss Miller, turning the criticism to fun. - -"Well, all I can say is that I feel grateful for these great stout logs -that will protect us from Winter's icy winds and the hungry horde of -howling wolves--the menace of pioneers in the forest!" added Zan. - -"They're all right in Winter but how about the longed for shade in -Summer when the fierce rays of the sun beat upon our unprotected heads? -We have no branches overhead," remarked May, whimsically. - -"Now you've all joshed Nita and me quite enough--let's proceed with the -Council," said Elena, looking beseechingly toward Miss Miller. - -So the meeting was opened and during the singing of the Prayer of -Invocation, the Guide focussed her camera and took a snap-shot of the -girls standing in the "Scenic Woodland Council." - -After the Tally of the last meeting had been read and other business -disposed of, Miss Miller said: - -"Is there any particular work you girls plan to do this coming week?" - -"O Chief!" said Nita, jumping to salute Zan. "We really must plan some -new dances for this Fall, especially if we are going to celebrate a big -Hallow E'en Council and invite our friends." - -"As this is the last week of September, we haven't any too much time, -either," added Jane. - -"Well, let's commission Nita to dig up some new and entertaining folk -songs that can be acted out in a dance," suggested Zan, looking to the -Guide for approval of the idea. - -"Elena, make a note in your Tally that Nita will find us some new -dancing songs before next Council," replied Miss Miller. - -"O Chief!" now spake Hilda. "When we broke camp for the Summer we were -all quite keen to win _coups_ for needle-craft, carpentry, and other -work. Besides, we want to secure degrees for some of the big stunts like -Mrs. Remington's Tribe have won." - -"Oh, that reminds me! Elizabeth Remington said she would gladly help us -to learn how to start the pottery and carpentry work. Then too, she said -her mother thought we ought to plan to have a Little Lodge attached to -our Tribe, as many Big Lodges have," cried Zan, eagerly. - -"It is very good of Elizabeth to offer her time to help you girls; as -for the Little Lodge, I would not think of it till your two Bands are -filled and the Tribe is chartered and well under way," replied the -Guide. - -"O Chief! Can't we start the pottery work first 'cause Zan knows a lot -about designing since she started that class-work in school," suggested -Hilda. - -"I was not aware that Zan had graduated from the School of Design so -soon. Did you really finish in two lessons, Zan?" teased the Guide. - -"Oh, you know what Hilda means--she thinks that now I can find out about -real designing we all can profit by it," explained Zan. - -"Instead of pottery which is a step beyond carpentry, I would suggest -that the Band make some objects in wood according to the Manual rules -for winning _coups_," advised Miss Miller. - -"Why can't you old members wait a little while and give us new members -time to win the flower, star, and tree _coups_ such as you earned at -Camp this Summer?" asked Frances Mason. - -"We can all begin together on carpentry and at times when we are not -together, or you new members are not in on some of the things we do, you -can catch up on those easy winners," said Zan. - -So the entry was made in the Tally Book directly after the note reading: -"Nita will find new folk songs for a dance before next Council." - -It read: "Begin some object in carpentry using own designs and material, -suitable to claim a _coup_ with all provisions met." - -"Now that that is off our minds let's have Miss Miller tell us an Indian -myth or story. We haven't heard one since that last week on the farm," -petitioned Jane. - -"And I happen to know that she received a package of books from the -Smithsonian Institution at Washington," added Zan. - -"How! How!" chorused the other girls, so the Guide felt called upon to -contribute her share to the Council meeting. - -"I really had planned something so different from this, that I must have -a moment in which to think," murmured the Guide. - -"Oh dear me! That's always the way with us! We are so impatient to make -Miss Miller work for her honourable position, that we generally manage -to 'cut off our noses to spite our faces,'" sighed Elena so plaintively -that the others laughed.'" - -"My original idea will not spoil by delay, so I will tell the story now -which is really much easier than the work I planned," rejoined Miss -Miller. - -"Well, at least tell us what your plan was and let us judge of its -merits," declared Zan, coaxingly. - -"I never satisfy idle curiosity if I recognise it, but I will tell you a -story of what happened to some Eskimo Indian children who indulged in -this undesirable inclination to their undoing. - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR--THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND - - -"This myth is told by the Sea Lion-town People from Alaska and is -called, 'A Tale of a Red Feather,'" began Miss Miller. - -"A group of children were playing ball with a woody excrescence which -they had found in the bole of a tree. It had been rubbed down and -polished until it was smooth and shiny as could be. - -"As they knocked the ball back and forth, shouting with glee if one of -their band happened to miss it, a small red feather floated down from -the clouds and blew gently to and fro just over their heads. As it was -wafted about in the eddying breeze, it attracted the attention of the -youngsters who watched it with eager curiosity. - -"It never came nearer the earth than just above the heads of the -children and as they speculated concerning it, one of the boys declared -it must be a magic feather. Another said it might be a prince bewitched -by an evil spell-binder, and still another said it was from a Red Eagle -that soared from the Happy Hunting Grounds. - -"The latter idea seemed to take hold of the children and they cried 'We -want it if it fell from the Happy Hunting Grounds.' - -"So most of them jumped up trying to catch it as it floated over their -heads. The tallest boy, making a high leap, seized it, but instead of -bringing it down to the ground with him, his hand stuck fast as if by -some unseen power. He struggled but could not release himself and -gradually he was drawn up from the earth. - -"He screamed, and his brother seeing the awful magic working, caught -hold of his hand to stay him. But he, too, was stuck fast to his -brother's hand and was lifted up against his will. - -"Then another boy caught hold on to the second lad's feet and he, too, -was drawn up unwillingly. Soon, all the children, then the parents who -sought to save their little ones, next the townspeople, and lastly the -dogs and cats and donkeys, and every living creature in the town--all -but the niece of the Town Chief were drawn up. - -"This girl remained sleeping upon a couch behind a screen and was quite -unaware of what was happening to her kinsmen and townspeople and the -creatures that had lived in the town. - -"The victims of Red Feather were carried up, up, up, to a great cloud -that hung waiting to receive them. There they were kept until the waters -in the cloud washed them all to bones and then bleached the bones white. -But that comes later. - -"The niece, strangely enough, was awakened by the great stillness. She -listened and then sprang out of bed wondering what kept everyone so -silent. No shouting of children, no braying of donkeys, no fighting of -cats and dogs, no bargaining of townspeople! - -"She peered from behind the screen and found no moving or living being, -so she quickly dressed and ran out to call, but no answer came. She ran -through the houses and found them vacant, and left as if they had been -abandoned in a great hurry. The canoes were still tied to their posts or -lying upon the beach, so it was quite evident that her people had not -gone by the water-way. The great mountains back of the village offered -no temptation to the villagers and the maiden knew they had not -disappeared that way. - -"She went home to think over this strange thing and as she thought, she -feared some evil worker had succeeded in making magic against her -people. Reaching this conclusion, the maiden ran out and stood near the -spot where her cousins first saw the feather. She, too, saw a tiny red -feather dance about her head but she was too troubled to account for her -friends to give the temptation another thought. - -"Having no curiosity or desire to possess the red feather gave her the -power to see it as it was. As the feather still fluttered about, the -girl was able to witness the whole sight of her people and every living -creature of the village excepting herself, drawn up to the black cloud -and left dangling there. - -"Then she ran back to her tepee and wept. She wept gallons of salty -tears before she became reconciled to her fate. But the tears relieved -her sorrow and she went forth to seek for a memento of her brothers and -sister. Where the children had been playing ball she found a shaving her -brother had whittled from the wood from which he was making a spear just -before he was caught up. She next found a feather from the arrow her -cousin had been making. Then she found a chip of red cedar bark her -brother had held, and a wild crab-apple blossom her little sister had -plucked. Lastly, the maiden saw the footprints in the mud, of another -brother as he had stood catching at the heels of his cousin. All these -relics she gathered up carefully and placed them in a blanket. - -"The blanket was securely bound by the four corners and the gallons of -salty tears poured over it. Then the girl blew her nose violently to -call magic, and poured the remainder of her tears over the covering that -held the treasures. - -"This last rite performed, the maiden carried the blanket to her couch -behind the screen and sat down to wait. After many days she opened the -blanket again and there she found a babe. It had a small shaving stuck -to its forehead. She took the babe out and tied the blanket corners -together again. Then she mothered the babe till it grew strong and as -fine as her brother had been before it. - -"After a time, she opened the blanket again and lo! there she found -another fine child, but a bit of cedar bark was stuck to its forehead. -The boy was also mothered and grew to be a fine lad. - -"The third time the girl opened the blanket she found a boy with a -feather stuck to his forehead. The fourth child had a clod of mud on the -sole of each foot, and so on, the children came until nine fine lads had -been mothered and reared, and then came a little girl who carried a -crab-apple blossom in her hand. - -"The ten children were carefully reared and taught many wise things that -all Indians should know. They had plenty of food and clothing as every -house in the town was there to take from. - -"One day, the eldest lad inquired: 'Mother, why lies yonder village so -empty?' - -"And she replied: 'My child, it is your uncle's town that lies empty -because of idle curiosity. And this is what happened to everyone living -in the village.' - -"Then she told the children the story as I have told it to you, even the -punishment that comes with curiosity and the payment demanded from any -who deem they can do what others cannot. - -"And the boy asked: 'Where is the ball, mother?' - -"She replied sadly: 'Ah, my son, I may not show you the hidden place of -that ball for it contains magic that brings evil to anyone touching it. -Better leave _sktq! a'-ig. adA_ in the tree where it grows.' - -"But the boys were overcome with curiosity to see and try this magic -they were warned against. So, secretly they found the right bole of the -tree where an excrescence grew and it was cut out. They worked it smooth -and round until it was polished enough to play ball with. - -"The little sister had not been told of her brothers' mischief or she -would have dissuaded them--or at least, she would have warned the mother -that the boys had disobeyed her wishes. - -"They tossed the ball gleefully back and forth and soon a tiny red -feather floated over their heads but little sister warned them not to -touch it as it was the same evil magic that had drawn all their kin away -from earth. - -"But the oldest lad scoffed at her fears and clutched at the feather. -Instantly, he was turned to mucus, right before their eyes! And this -mucus was waved violently back and forth till it was stretched out into -a long thread. As it was pulled up to the black cloud overhead, one end -of the mucus still stuck fast to the ground and the red feather tugged -and tugged to tear it loose. - -"The second brother caught hold of the mucus and was turned to a -shaving. But this was whirled around and around until it spun dizzily -and one end of the shaving reached the cloud but the other still whirled -on the ground. - -"The third boy ran up and caught hold of it and was instantly turned -into a strip of cedar bark. After being rolled and pulled the bark began -to stretch and finally one end was up in the clouds and the other still -remained upon the earth. - -"When the boy with the mud soles caught hold of the red cedar chip, he -was turned to mud. As this was spun out, some of it was carried up to -the cloud while some of it still clung to the earth but a fine thread of -mud stretched between the two mud-lumps. - -"But the next boy caught the wild crab-apple blossom from his sister's -hand and stamped upon the mud from his brother's sole that lay upon the -ground. As he stamped he called to his sister: 'I am strong! Hurry--make -medicine to save us.' - -"And the sister cried: 'Be a man! Be strong and I will save you!' - -"But he was turned to a crab-apple tree right before her eyes. He was -being dragged up to the cloud but the red feather had great difficulty -to tear it away from the earth, as the roots had quickly grown down into -the ground. One strong root still held in the earth and red feather was -tugging hard to loosen it from its hold when little sister ran up and -jumped upon this root. She then climbed up the long-drawn-out crab-apple -tree, all the while making strong medicine and slashing out with a long -sharp sword. - -"The red feather flew madly about and when, at a mighty slash of the -sword, the evil magic fell to earth, its power was gone forever! - -"Then immediately after it came the nine brothers who were not hurt for -red feather had lost its magic to hurt any more. - -"And on top of the children came down the whitened bones of the -villagers, and last of all crashed down the remains of the dogs and cats -and donkeys that had lived in the village in the long-ago. - -"The wild crab-apple tree had not had its root pulled from the ground -before red feather was slashed down to earth, so little sister slid down -that root and reached the place where all the brothers, and villagers, -and creatures lay in a heap together. - -"She spat medicine upon her brothers and they each took a natural form -again, and were over-joyed at seeing themselves at home. Then she spat -medicine upon the bones of her kins-people and they all returned to -life. Next the villagers were brought back and then the dogs, because -they are man's best friends; then the donkeys, for they help carry the -burdens of man; and lastly the cats for they kill vermin but are in -themselves no other good to man. - -"So the people and every creature thanked little sister for the strong -medicine she had made to bring them all safe back home. Then she told -them that they need never have been dead or kept up in that cloud had -they known themselves and their power over all evil magic. - -"And from that day, the people taught their children first, above every -other knowledge, 'Know Thyself,' then the next thing the children were -taught was, 'Know that evil has no power or magic for one who Knows -Himself!'" - -As Miss Miller concluded the story the Woodcrafters cried "How! How!" - -"What a strange story--it sounds almost like an allegory with a deep -meaning," said Jane. - -"It is, and has hidden in its fanciful pictures described, the story of -the Adam creation, of the Fall of Man, the New Birth of a Saviour, and -the final resurrection from the dead when evil has been thrown to earth. -At least, that is what I found in it as I studied its text and realised -how much was buried in the words," replied Miss Miller. - -"Miss Miller," came from Zan warningly, "remember--I too have that book -from the Smithsonian!" - -The Guide laughed. "Well, what if you have?" - -"I fear you will be drawn up to the black cloud by black magic unless -you hasten to make amends for your deception," threatened Zan. - -"O Chief! I move that you tell us what evil deed the Guide has forced -upon us!" cried Jane, watching the two eagerly. - -"O Brothers--or in this case, I should say 'O sistern,' our hitherto -revered Guide wove magic before your eyes as you did not know that her -tale was but half the story in the book. Now I shall make strong -medicine and you shall see the magic leave her in our power," spoke Zan, -in a thundering tone, meantime, weaving a spell in the air with her -hands and fingers, to the amusement of the girls. - -Miss Miller, laughing, knew Zan would give her no peace until she had -accomplished her purpose--in this particular case, the conclusion of the -legend. So she stood up and saluted. - -"Ha! the medicine worked quickly, sistern!" laughed Zan, seating -herself. - -"The second half of this tale may be applied by each one here to some -profit," remarked Miss Miller, as a prelude to her legend. - -"The day following the one the people had been returned to their homes -and living, the boys found the little red feather in the dust where it -had fallen when slashed down from the cloud. - -"In great anger and spite they began to tear it to bits and throw the -down hither and thither. When they could find no further evidence that -the evil magic had once been powerful, they suddenly found themselves in -a snow-storm. - -"It snowed and snowed until everything was covered. It piled up -everywhere--on houses, stalls, town, and trees--all were snowed under -and no day-light could peep in at the air-holes or doorways. - -"Then little sister, who had been sleeping a long time, awoke and got -up. She heard the cries of her people who wanted air and light, and she -knew she must make medicine to help them overcome the evil they had -brought upon themselves through spite and mistaken punishment. - -"So she made strong medicine and gave it to her brothers to rub on the -door-posts. They did and the snow melted instantly so that they could -breathe and see, but the snow still lay piled up in the streets and over -the other houses. And it also covered the smoke-hole of their house so -that no fire could burn to prepare the food. Still the snow fell and -fell until it seemed that the doorway would again be blocked up. - -"Then little sister called upon her mother for help, and together they -made medicine and then called upon the birds to help. - -"A blue jay soon flew over the smoke-hole of the house and dropped a -ripe elder-berry down through the opening. As the berry touched the -snow, the ice and sleet melted and soon vanished so that the roof was -clear. - -"Now little sister took the berry and wherever it touched ice or sleet -or snow, the frozen magic melted and left off being. - -"The blue jay flew over the other houses and dropped a berry down each -smoke-hole. In many homes the berry was used as advised and these -families were soon out of the ice and cold. In other places the people -were too busy shoveling snow to bother with the blue jay's berry and -they remained frozen still. Some used the berry to melt a way out of the -house and then wasted no more effort so the smoke-hole never worked -right and nourishment was scarce. - -"When the bird had dropped a berry down every smoke-hole it flew back to -little sister's home and said: 'Now I must be on my way again. Who will -come with me to visit heaven, where I go?' - -"Most of the children were eager to go so they climbed upon the bird's -back or clung to his wings and feet until he came to the clouds where -heaven was hidden away from earth-dwellers' sight. - -"Once in heaven, the blue jay flapped his wings and rolled the children -off and told them he had to leave them for a short time to report what -he had done on the earth. - -"Left alone, the children walked about enjoying the novel sights, until -one of the boys saw a _djo'lgi_ sniffing about. He threw a rock at the -animal and stunned it, then he ran over and tore it to bits and -scattered the fragments about, although the poor _djo'lgi_ had not done -anything to merit this cruelty. - -"The children now felt hungry and said they would go and seek for -something to eat, as the blue jay had failed to return to help them find -bread. - -"As they walked, they came to a house where a woman stood looking -anxiously about as if in search for someone. - -"The children drew near and she said: 'Have you seen my child playing -about?' - -"And they answered: 'We saw nothing but a _djo'lgi_ and it we killed.' - -"'Oh, oh! You bad children! You have killed my child!' cried the woman. -Then she suddenly caught the children and pushed them in through the -open door and when they were all in she turned and said, 'Door, bolt -yourself.' - -"Then the children trembled when they saw the door shut and bolt itself -and they knew they were again in the power of black magic. - -"But little sister had had nothing to do with the killing of the -_djo'lgi_ and she now whispered to the brother who had held a firm root -in the earth when red feather tried to tear the crab-apple tree from the -ground: 'I will make medicine and smear some on you. That will turn you -into a cinder so that you can fly up the smoke-hole and get out. Then -find Blue Jay. With the medicine I smear on your head you can bring the -_djo'lgi_ back to life and let Blue Jay bring it home to the old woman. -When she finds her child alive and happy she will let us all go.' - -"The boy did as sister told him, and when he was outside the smoke-hole -he flew about heaven until he found Blue Jay. - -"So medicine was rubbed on the _djo'lgi_ and he was brought back to life -and carried home. There, a loud rap on the door made the old woman cry: -'Who's there?' - -"And the _djo'lgi_ answered: 'It is your _djo'lgi_, mother, let me come -in.' - -"She ran and unbolted the door and was so happy to have her child back -in her arms that she forgot to bolt the door again. Then the Blue Jay -led the children forth and they all went to the big house on the Cliff -where Blue Jay's grandmother lived. Here a fine feast was spread for the -visitors and after they had had all the juicy venison they could eat, -Blue Jay said: 'Come now, let us go to heaven.' - -"But the grandmother said: 'How can all these children crawl through -safely when the clouds open and shut?' - -"I'll show them how and if they mind they will get in,' replied the Blue -Jay. - -"Then they said good-by to the grandmother and followed after Blue Jay -to the place where they had to creep in under the clouds if they wished -to see the great Bill-of-Heaven who was known everywhere as the -Power-of-the-shining-clouds. - -"When they came to the edge of the blue sky where the clouds open and -shut continually, Blue Jay dipped his feathers in the blue to make them -brighter and meantime, some of the boys tried to run under the cloud and -so get into heaven first. But the cloud came down and caught them, so -they were turned into rain and poured down to help the earth blossom. - -"Then some of the other children tried to rush through, and of these two -were caught under the edge of the cloud and were turned to thunder, and -the others who only got a glimpse of heaven were turned to lightning -from the brightness of the glory they saw. - -"Blue Jay came back after a time and was sorry to hear some of the -children had not followed his advice but risked their happiness by being -rude and disobedient. Then he turned to the remaining children and said: -'I will watch for the time when you must rush in. I will call "Fly!" -then all must fly back and forth along the edge of the cloud till a -little rift of blue where a cloud lifts is seen. Dart through that but -never try it unless you see the rift of blue.' - -"The little sister was told to follow with Blue Jay as he would see her -through. Then cinder brother and a few of the others waited and watched, -flying back and forth until they saw a rift break through a thick cloud, -and quickly they rushed through and found the glory of the sun and lived -happy in heaven ever after." - -"How! How" cried the girls, some clapping their hands. - -Eleanor sat and looked scornfully at the girls applauding. Then she -said, "If that isn't the silliest nonsense ever! Besides, _I_ think it -is positively sacrilegious to talk in that way about heaven!" - -"Sacrilegious! Why should it be? It is the simple ancient beliefs of the -Indians who had no Bible as we have, and handed down these legends from -one generation to another to teach their children respect and obedience -to the Great Spirit," replied Zan. - -"You certainly can't say that calling the Power above by the name of -'Bill-of-Heaven' is respect! I almost shivered when I heard Miss Miller -use such blasphemy!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Why Eleanor, you are mistaken! The name is interpreted from the -original language where the Indians never even heard the name of 'Bill,' -so they could not use it in disrespect. In their tongue the term 'Bill' -means an entirely different thing than in our English, so we must not -condemn a thing because we are ignorant of its uses," said the Guide, -calmly. - -"Tell us the germ of truth you found in that allegory, Miss Miller," -begged Jane. - -"I told you before I began that you each must apply it for yourselves. I -can sit down and find a suitable lesson in it for the short-comings of -each one present," laughed Miss Miller, rising to close the Council -Meeting. - -As the Woodcrafters left the building, Zan called after them: "Remember -to bring a finished product of your carpentry for the next Council!" - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE--A PRIZE CHEST - - -The following week, every member of Wickeecheokee Band was busy after -school, working hard on their carpentry. Some had decided to make wooden -toys for the little ones, some preferred odd pieces of furniture, such -as a foot-stool, a tabouret, a waste-paper-basket, etc. The older -Woodcrafters were busy making more difficult things as they had had some -practise in the handling of tools and wood. May Randall, not to be -outdone by the older members, wanted to manufacture a Woodcraft Chest to -hold the papers, beads, and other things she would collect in her -Woodcraft work as time went on. - -"I never dreamed this work could be so tedious," sighed Ethel Clifford, -whittling away at a bit of wood that had to dove-tail into the other -section. She was making a set of fire-boards. - -"One never realises how long a time hand-made articles take. That is why -they always cost more than machine made objects," added Anne Mason. - -"I hope my tilting stools will look like the picture given in the -Manual," now said Mildred Howell. "If they don't work I shall give up in -despair." - -"I think they look great, Mil. Maybe you'll get a _coup_," remarked Zan, -who looked up from the elaborate bead-loom she was decorating, having -constructed the entire machine of wood. - -"I just adore that bead-loom you made, Zan," now said May Randall, -working industriously at the chest she was etching in pyrography. - -"I'll tell you what, May! If the bead-loom you expect to make turns out -half as fine as that chest, it will be better than mine," praised Zan. -"I never saw a girl handle tools as naturally and deftly as you do--for -a greenhorn, too!" - -May laughed in a pleased tone for honest praise is sweet. - -"What is Eleanor Wilbur making, girls?" asked Hilda. - -"I don't know--she hasn't been with us yet, you know," replied Anne -Mason, evasively. - -"Is she doing anything else besides making trouble?" asked May Randall, -in her blunt way. - -"I'll thank you to mind your own business, Miss May Randall," called a -voice from the door. - -The girls flushed guiltily as they looked up and found Eleanor herself -trembling with anger. She had stopped at Zan's house to leave a borrowed -book and the maid told her the girls were on the back-porch working. So -she happened there unannounced. - -"Well, are you, Eleanor?" persisted May, defiantly. - -"I'll tell you what's troubling you, all right--you dog-in-the-manger, -you! You're afraid I'll win out ahead of you in the test for membership, -so you go to work in an underhanded way to prejudice the others against -me," declared Eleanor. - -"Hardly, Miss Wilbur, for Zan just told us that Ethel handed her a -letter to be read at the weekly Council. She is to go to California next -month to be gone all Winter so she has withdrawn her application till -Spring," snapped May, with satisfaction. - -"Then there are only five after all," said Eleanor, a gleam of pleasure -on her face. - -"There may be only four--if one of the new members keeps on the -undesirable pathway she has trodden since applying for membership!" -taunted May, who had a sharp tongue at times. - -"Pooh!" sounded from Eleanor and Jane banged her work down loudly upon -the floor and said angrily: - -"For pity's sake, forget it--you two! We never had a single scrap like -this when we were at Camp!" - -"I'm not scrapping a bit," defended Eleanor. "It is that hateful old -thing over there. But as I am going now anyway, don't bother to shut her -up. I'm on my way to visit Miss Miller, so I will just mention the fact -that Miss Randall is running the Tribe now, and she as old Guide can -resign gracefully or be ousted by the new Guide!" sneered Eleanor, -slamming the door as she left the porch. - -"Can't we put her out, girls! I am getting to hate her," cried May, -spitefully. - -"You're letting your anger get the best of you, May. It has already made -you lose out in one test--same as Eleanor has. Besides, Eleanor may need -Woodcraft more than any of us, because the work isn't a matter of -pastime as much as for improvement," said Zan, who had had a private -talk with the Guide and to her questions about ousting Eleanor, had been -told some truths that made her think of Nita and the impatience the -girls felt at her in Camp that Summer. - -"Girls, since Zan spoke of May's Woodcraft box I have been thinking--why -can't we have contests in work and give a prize to the one having the -best product to show with the others at the exhibit?" said Elena, trying -to change their current of thought. - -"Let's do it! The one to win this Saturday, to have a suitable prize -awarded for the different points covered," said Zan. - -"It will be for neatness, utility, beauty, and time taken in the -making," suggested Jane. - -"I wonder if Headquarters ever started contests with the Woodcrafters -for certain requirements well-done?" wondered Nita. - -"Let's have Miss Miller write to find out. Maybe we can give them a new -idea," commented Hilda. - -Silence followed for a few moments after that decision and Nita began -humming a new Hawaiian air. - -"That reminds me, Nita, did you find any new folk songs that we might -adapt for dancing?" asked Jane. - -"Oh, yes, I have a dandy! Want to see me do it while you take a little -rest from work?" cried eager Nita. - -Nita never lost an opportunity to dance, and it was her greatest delight -to show her friends any new steps or figures she had improvised for a -Woodcraft Folk Song or Dance, which really is true dancing from -over-flowing joy in the heart--but not the so-called wanton dances in -vogue at the present time. - -The girls always enjoyed watching the graceful form as it bent low or -whirled around in the Indian Acting Songs, so to-day they approved the -suggestion to rest and be entertained by Nita. - -"I shall have to sing the words in French as Miss Miller and I haven't -translated them yet. The air is familiar to most of you and you must hum -it with me. Now I will sing and slowly step the bars while you try to -study the action and practise it at home," announced Nita. - - -SUR LE PONT D'AVIGNON - - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse; - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond, - Les beaux messieurs font comm' ga, - Et puis encor comm' ga: - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse - Sur le pont d'Avignon - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse; - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - Les belles dames font comm' ga, - Et puis encor comm' ga: - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse; - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond, - Et les capucins font comm' ga, - Et puis encor comm' ga, - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - - ---- - -Thereupon Nita danced The Bridge song to the satisfaction of her -audience. They applauded and encored until she laughingly consented to -treat them to their favourite dances. Many of these were steps invented -by Nita to improve upon the old folk dances. When the girl, breathless, -finally sat down, the other girls complimented her to her heart's -content. - -"I wish we could learn that bridge song and dance it for Miss Miller as -a surprise," suggested Zan. - -"Let's do it!" abetted Elena. - -"We ought to complete our carpentry work first," ventured May. - -"We haven't any extra class studies at home this week so we might -carpenter in the afternoons and dance at night," eagerly said Nita. - -"Why not come over to my house at eight and I will have the rugs and -furniture moved out of the living-room. Anne and I will be all alone -this evening as the others are going out," added Frances Mason. - -"That's fine! Who can meet at the Masons' at eight to-night?" called -Zan, looking about at the Woodcrafters. - -"We surely will--every one of us," accepted Hilda. - -"Well, don't waste our time making us wait for you. If someone can't -come let her telephone before meeting-time," advised Anne Mason. - -"Hoh! Anne doesn't know us yet! Catch a Woodcrafter being late when -there's any fun going!" laughed Jane. - -Every member was there before eight that night, Eleanor having been -notified over the telephone. A merry evening was enjoyed with dancing -and singing and most of the girls were sure the French Folk Song could -be mastered for a private exhibition on Saturday if they had one more -evening's practise. - -"To-morrow is Thursday and some of us are booked to go to those -Burton-Holmes Lectures, but we might all meet again on Friday night?" -suggested Zan. - -"Some of us could meet to-morrow and practise, and then all meet -Friday," added Hilda. - -"Where do you want to meet Friday--come to my house," invited Jane. - -As the Huberts had a large house with a splendid living-room, it offered -excellent facilities for dancing, so the girls gladly accepted the -invitation. - -Shortly after nine o'clock Friday night, while the Woodcrafters were -cooling off and talking about their successful dancing lesson of the -French song, Mrs. Hubert opened the door and peeped in. - -"When you finish dancing maybe you'll come to the kitchen and help me -make some fudge?" hinted she. - -"We're all through!" cried Zan, jumping up and running for the door. - -"So we are when there's fudge on the programme," laughed Elena. - -But fudge was not the only candy made that night. As Saturday morning -was a "lazy day" for school-girls, they could sleep an hour later than -usual. So there was no haste to get home and to bed that night. - -"Mrs. Hubert, you always promised to give us the recipe for your -fudge--it is so good!" exclaimed Elena. - -"Why, I'll tell you right now, and you can watch me make it, too," -replied Mrs. Hubert. - -"Lena, write it down to enter in our Tally," said Zan. - -As Mrs. Hubert itemised the ingredients for Elena to write down, she -measured out the quantities for the candy. - -"One cup of granulated sugar, one cup of powdered sugar, one and a half -cakes of Baker's chocolate, a lump of butter about the size of a walnut, -two-thirds of a cup of milk, and any flavour desired. I shall use -vanilla to-night as most girls like that. - -"Now I boil the milk and sugar, stirring all the time from when it is -first placed over the fire. When it fairly hardens so as to form a ball -when dropped in cold water, I remove it from the stove and add the -chocolate which must be shaved very fine, or even grated as it is -to-night. - -"Next I add the vanilla, and the butter last. Quickly then, I beat it -until it thickens but it must not sugar. Pour it in buttered tins and -when it is partly hardened we can cut it into squares. - -"In case any of you do not have powdered sugar in the house you can use -granulated but the powdered sugar makes it creamy and there is less -danger of crystallising while beating." - -The fudge was made and declared the finest ever tasted. - -"Oh, but you girls say that every time I treat you," laughed Mrs. -Hubert. - -"It's true, and that shows how you improve in candy-making every time -you cook it for us," retorted Zan, quickly. - -"Which interpreted means: 'Be sure and give us fudge every time we visit -you,'" laughed Mrs. Hubert. - -"You'd hear no kick coming from the Woodcrafters," added Jane. - -"Jane! There you go again with your slang! I thought Miss Miller was -curing you girls of that pernicious habit," said Mrs. Hubert. - -"We were cured, Mother, but you see our brothers were still ill with the -despised complaint and we caught it again, didn't we Zan?" said Jane, -appealing to her competitor in slang. - -Zan's mouth was too full of fudge to reply but she nodded her head -vigorously to express her feelings about slang. - -"Dear, dear, such girls!" sighed Mrs. Hubert, taking a recipe book from -the shelf and turning to a page of candies. - -"Girls, shall I show you how to make nougat?" asked she. - -Naturally they cried "yes" and Elena prepared to make another entry in -the Tally. - -"Always blanch the almonds or other nuts to be used. I generally keep -some on hand so we won't have to take time for that work to-night. Now -some of you girls skin these nuts and some of you can chop them very -fine. - -"For the nougat, I melt some powdered sugar, using a dessert-spoonful of -lemon juice to every pound of sugar. It takes double the weight of sugar -in almonds. We have a pound of sugar, so I use two pounds of chopped -nuts. They must be hot before dropping them into the sugar-syrup. - -"We ought to have regular nougat moulds like confectioners use, but not -having them, I have to take the flat tin we use for ginger-bread. That -is why I had you chop the nuts very fine--so that the nougat when it is -spread in the tin, can be cut with a knife. - -"Into this buttered tin, I press the nougat with the lemon skin until it -is all smoothed out flat. Then I quickly cut the bars so they can be -broken apart when it is cold. If we had regular moulds we could use the -nuts in much larger pieces." - -"I always thought that nougat was a dreadfully hard candy to make, but -it is as simple as rolling off a log," declared Hilda. - -"I just love it, don't you?" said Elena, sniffing the odour that rose -from the pan of candy. - -"You love any kind of candy. Your mother says you have a 'sweet tooth,'" -laughed Nita. - -"I'll show you how to make one other kind of candy and then it will be -time for you to go home. It is ten o'clock now," said Mrs. Hubert. - -"Put a cupful of powdered sugar in a bowl and add about a quarter of a -teaspoonful of cream, or at least enough to stir the spoon about in the -mixture easily. Be careful not to use too much cream, though, as that -will make it run and not cream itself. Now add a teaspoonful of lemon or -vanilla. We will use the latter for this cream. Next stir the mixture -well until all lumps are worked smooth like a paste. - -"Here, Jane, stone these dates but do not break them asunder. - -"Now girls, as the dates are stoned, you take enough cream to fill the -opening made by the stone. Then you stick the edges of the date together -again and roll in powdered sugar. They are then placed on an oiled paper -to keep from sticking while drying." - -The creamed dates were soon made and tasted. Some of the Woodcrafters -said they needed a much larger taste than a single date offered, and -Mrs. Hubert laughed. While the girls were away from the kitchen to find -their hats and coats, the hostess divided the candy left and gave each -amateur confectioner a package to take home with her. - -Saturday with its weekly Council found each girl, except Eleanor, more -than elated with the finished article of carpentry work to exhibit at -the meeting. Of the entire collection the bead-loom, tabouret, and chest -were considered the best. - -"I declare, girls, it is marvelous how neatly you have fitted the -corners and finished the edges of the work. May's chest is as pretty and -well-made as any I have ever seen. The hinges and clasp are original and -hand-made, too, I see. Did you originate the design alone, May?" said -the Guide, after admiring the objects placed in a row on the table. - -"Yes, and the copper hinges and clasp are cut and hammered out of an old -sauce-pan mother threw away a long time ago," replied pleased May. - -"And does the key turn easily?" inquired Miss Miller, lifting the lid of -the chest and examining the key-hole carefully. - -"I haven't found a key to fit yet!" laughed May. - -Then the Guide's attention was given to an investigation of the -elaborate bead-loom made and decorated by Zan as her contribution to the -contest. - -"Does it work, Zan?" queried Miss Miller. - -"Not unless it is supplied with motive-power!" - -"Then you must have tried it out with a bit of your tremendous energy," -retorted the Guide, smiling at the girl's bright face. - -"Not only tried it but finished a strip of bead banding that takes the -cake! I have decided to make enough trimming to decorate a new -ceremonial costume that will turn every Woodcraft girl green with envy," -bragged Zan. - -"That is a boast indeed! Did you include the Tribes of other -Woodcrafters in that challenge?" - -"Yep, everybody but Elizabeth Remington. She certainly has the loveliest -beading I ever saw, but then she has had two years' designing at the -School of Art," replied Zan. - -After many comparisons and due deliberation, it was decided to present -May Randall with the prize for that contest. As May was a beginner and -the chest was her first piece of work, it won a point above Zan's loom, -which also was a fine piece of work. Both of these objects were -excellent bits of cabinet-work and so neatly finished and beautifully -decorated that it was a draw. May flushed with happiness when she heard -that Zan awarded the prize to her. - -"I think the plan of awarding prizes for best work is a good one but we -should decide upon the prize before the contest is started each week. -What have you for May to-day?" said Miss Miller. - -"Well, this week we were going to present the winner a solid gold loving -cup but our Wampum Keeper reported a state of bankruptcy so we had to -sacrifice our wishes to conform with the exchequer," said Zan, solemnly, -while the girls giggled. - -"I suggested that we take a picture of May, so I brought my camera. It -can be pasted in the Tally Book and mentioned as the winner of the -carpentry contest," said Elena. - -"And I thought the film could be enlarged to a size that will correspond -with our cash on hand, and present it to May," added Hilda. - -"If we make a picture each week of the prize-winner and article made it -will add greatly to the beauty and interest of the Tally," ventured the -Guide. - -"Come on, May, and pose over by the log scenery to have your picture -taken," called Elena, starting for the Council Ring. - -"Oh wait, Lena! Don't let's have an indoor picture. It will look so much -better if posed out-doors," cried Nita. - -"Let's go over to the fence-corner next to our back yard where the group -of pines will make a pretty back-ground," suggested Frances Mason. - -"That's fine! And we'll stand May on some of our logs and have her look -happy while holding her chest!" exclaimed Anne. - -"When folks see May holding her chest in the picture, they'll think she -had a bad cold," came from Zan, quickly. - -Everyone laughed but Anne added: "Oh, you old tease, you know what I -meant." - -"All right, come on and show us what you meant!" - -"I wish to goodness we had a ceremonial costume here to dress May and do -the picture up in a truly artistic manner," sighed Elena. - -"Hilda and May are about the same size--why not run Hilda home to get -hers?" suggested Jane. - -"It won't take more'n ten minutes, Hilda, if you jump on a trolley!" -added Nita, when Hilda frowned down the proposition. - -A honking from an automobile horn was heard just then, and Zan jumped up -to run to the door, saying: "Sounds like your machine, Jenny!" - -"If it should be Jack, he could drive Hilda over for the dress," replied -Jane. - -Before Zan reached the door of the gymnasium, however, the tousled head -of Fiji Baker appeared at the opening and he called out ingratiatingly: -"Don't stop the show for _me_; 'let joy be unconfined' as I just dropped -in for a second to see Miss Miller. Jack is out front tying the bouquets -we wish to throw at the famous dancer!" - -Nita laughed for she had confided in the boys and told them about the -new dance scheduled for that Council Meeting. - -"Oh, Fiji, you came in answer to our prayers, I'm sure. We need someone -to hustle Hilda over home for a most important package she forgot, and -now Jack can fly while you talk with Miss Miller," explained Zan, -pushing Hilda towards the door as she spoke. - -"You'll win a _coup_ on this for 'first aid,'" said Jane to Fiji. - -But Fiji paid no attention as he was deeply concerned over some secret -he was whispering to the Guide. Meantime Hilda was urged to order Jack -to drive as fast as he dared so she could be back with the costume -before the sun went down. - -Before Fiji and Miss Miller had finished their engrossing conversation, -Hilda returned and the girls adjourned to the scenic-screen-room to -dress the prize-winner in a befitting costume. - -May was posed first in one attitude, then in another, till everyone had -satisfied her artistic sense of the picture to be, and perhaps they -would all have had another trial had not May sighed, and cried: - -"I'll be so glad when you really click that trigger! This box grows -heavier and heavier every minute. I'm sure it weighs a ton by this -time." - -Several snap-shots were taken and May placed the "ton" prize-winner on -the ground and stretched her arms. Then the Woodcrafters filed back to -the gymnasium, where Miss Miller explained the reason of Fiji's visit. - -"Doctor Baker invites the Band to join the boys in a week-end camp -near-by the city. Fiji said he and the other boys have been scouting -about for some days trying to find just the right kind of a site where -girls would be comfortable." Miss Miller paused here to allow the -announcement to sink in. - -"Huh! I guess Dad wants our Band to act as sort of a brake on those -boys' speed," commented Zan, nevertheless pleased at the invitation. - -"Won't it be fun?" cried Jane. - -"Where will it be, Miss Miller?" asked Nita. - -"Why, Fiji says they have found a wonderful place on the sea-side of -Staten Island. 'The woods almost meet the beach,' he said." - -"Oh, can't we try that aqua-planing Elizabeth Remington told us of?" -eagerly questioned Zan. - -"We haven't any to try with," replied Jane. - -"Fred Remington told Fiji the other day that it was the easiest thing to -make. Just one, two, three! and it is done!" declared Zan, snapping her -fingers with each count. - -"I have it! Let's invite Elizabeth to join us in camp and then add, as -an after-thought, how nice it would be if she brought her plane," -exclaimed Nita, showing that there were still some undestroyed -self-motives in her character. - -"Even so, there wouldn't be any motive-power unless Zan supplied some of -her boundless energy," laughed the Guide. - -"It won't work in deep water, Miss Miller," retorted Zan. - -"If Elizabeth is invited for the plane why not ask Fred and Billy for -their launch?" now suggested Jane. - -"Sure enough! You tell Jack to, will you?" chorused some of the girls. - -After a lively Council Meeting, the Woodcrafters started eagerly -homeward for they were anticipating the camp and wanted to hear what the -boys had to say about the plane and launch. - -But it happened that Fiji and Jack had already thought of the launch and -had invited Fred and his younger brother before the girls spoke of it. -The plane was another matter and they agreed to see Elizabeth about -joining them. - -The campers intended starting for the trip immediately after school on -Friday afternoon. Three automobiles--the Bakers', Huberts', and -Remingtons'--would carry them and their luggage to the place selected. -Fred, Billy, and Bob Baker would go in the launch, while Fiji and Jack -planned to paddle their canoe around the Island to the beach where the -camp was to be. - -The canoe owned by the two boys was kept on the lake in Branch Brook -Park when the boys were in the city, but during their vacations they -usually took it with them. It now had to be transported across the city -to the Passaic River. Here the boys arranged to meet the express-man and -sail it from that point to Staten Island Sound, thence to the -sea-beach-shore of the Island. - -Fred Remington planned to sail the launch along the same route but he -would start later in the day. The canoemen would start in the morning if -clear. The girls in the cars would leave directly after school in the -afternoon, and all expected to meet about the same time on the woodland -site chosen by the boys. - -The days preceding Friday afternoon were an anxious time for the -Woodcrafters for they feared it might rain yet hoped that the weather -would be glorious. - -The camera picture of May and the chest was developed and printed and -proved to be a great success. It was named "The Prize-winner," and the -film was sent away to be enlarged. Meantime, the Woodcraft Chest had -been left on Miss Miller's table in the gymnasium as she wished to show -it to the scholars who were becoming interested in Woodcraft. - -Tuesday afternoon, when she wished to lock the chest in her private -closet, it was not to be found. She sought everywhere, asked the -janitor, and telephoned the girls, but no one had seen or heard a thing -about it. - -Miss Miller worried herself ill over the loss, not so much because of -the value of the chest but because it proved there was a dishonest -scholar in that school! May was heart-broken too, as it was her first -accomplishment in Woodcraft and she was so proud of it, that she had -invited all her friends to be sure and call to see it as soon as it was -home in her possession. And now it might never be heard from again! - - - - -CHAPTER SIX--THE LOST CAMPERS - - -In spite of pessimistic prognostications about the weather, Friday came -and it was a perfect Autumn day. Fiji Baker and Jack Hubert were up at -day-break as their express-man carted the canoe from the Park that early -so it would not interfere with his regular calls and cartage for the -day. - -Fred and his crew started at noon in their launch, and at three o'clock -the merry Woodcrafters stood about the gymnasium door waiting for the -three automobiles which would have the luggage and other equipment -packed in them before stopping for the girls. - -While waiting, Nita showed the girls a new Flower and Butterfly dance -she had invented. It was most graceful and the girls applauded heartily. -Miss Miller smiled as she said: - -"Nita, there is no use in trying to train you for aught else than a -dancing flower in a wandering breeze, or a charming little humming-bird -that lightly caresses every blossom in passing." - -"Miss Miller should have a _coup_ for spontaneous poetry," laughed Nita, -well-pleased at the Guide's sincere praise. - -"Yes, the Tribe must hand it to its Guide for finding something -religious or poetical in any prosaic thing she finds. Not that Nita is -prosaic by any means, but there have been times when Miss Miller's muse -has been inspired with nothing more to base its flight upon than an -ordinary dust-cloth or common potato!" laughed Zan. - -The sound of approaching automobiles caused poesy and dancing to end and -soon the girls were gayly seated in the cars. Such chattering and -laughter as sounded from the passengers as the machines sped swiftly -cross-town and reached the ferry where they had to take the boat to -reach Staten Island! - -"Miss Miller," asked Anne Mason, as they waited for a ferry-boat to -dock, "can we new members start to collect flowers and do some tree -lessons, or birds and star knowing, to catch up with your five founders -of the Band?" - -"Yes, you can, but why not leave those studies and do them at odd times -when the older members have other things to do? We might all work -together at this camp to find many interesting things to start new -collections. For instance, the shells and other marine objects." - -"I never thought of that," replied Anne. - -"The new members are so anxious to have individual Tally Books, you see, -Miss Miller," explained Zan, "and they haven't any pressed flowers or -blue prints or other things to record as we have in ours." - -"If only you would wait until we catch up with you," sighed May Randall. - -"You can soon do that, girls, by using every spare moment when not -otherwise engaged, to learn about the stars, find flowers and insects, -and study trees and Nature in the Park. Then we can witness and sign -your honour claims at a Council," added the Guide. - -"You new girls haven't made your Tallies yet," said Hilda. - -"That is one of the things we want you to tell us about," said Frances -Mason. - -"I think I have enough pieces of tanned leather to give each girl a -cover," now offered Zan. - -"And we have enough thong and beads to bind the books and tie the -pages," added Elena. - -"Then the girls ought to buy the page paper and make their Tallies at -once, so everything can be entered in proper order," advised the Guide. - -"Miss Miller, maybe we can try for the degree of canoeman while we camp -near the water," ventured Jane. - -Miss Miller said nothing to this but smiled and shook her head. She -wondered if the girls understood the experience necessary before winning -a degree of that kind. - -Jim, the Bakers' chauffeur, and Alfred, the Remingtons' chauffeur, had -each been given concise directions how to find the camp-site. Bob had -drawn a road-map for Jim, and Fred had sketched a rough plan of where to -turn. So Jim led the three cars as they left the ferry. - -After travelling several miles, he consulted Bob's map. - -"I don't seem to quite get this clear! Master Bob's got here 'Good -woodland road,' but all I can find is this swamp and that wood-cutters' -trail on the far side!" said Jim. - -The other two cars came up, and Alfred said: "Can you make head or tail -out of the map, Jim?" - -"I was jus' sayin' that Master Bob must have been dreamin' about this -'good woodland road,'" returned Jim. - -"Let's take this road--it looks fine--and see if we come to a woodland -road further on," suggested Miss Miller. - -So the opposite direction was taken, hoping they might find the good -road mentioned on the map. After riding for twenty minutes more, the -chauffeurs suddenly found the sign-post marked on both maps. - -"Now ain't that funny! It's the post all right, but we never came by -that woodland road!" declared Jim. - -"Let's be thankful we found one land-mark they put down for us to -follow!" grumbled Alfred, where-upon everyone laughed. - -In vain did they seek for other land-marks or objects to correspond to -those marked on the maps. They found good roads but nothing to lead them -to believe they were following directions. Finally, as they all halted -for another conference, Alfred stood up and looked about. He scratched -his head back of the ear as if in a quandary. - -"Let's hear it, Alfred," laughed Elizabeth. - -"Well, I was thinkin'! Your maw came this very road last Spring when she -camped her Tribe on Decoration Day. Why not go this way and trust to -luck to bring us to the boys' camp?" - -"It would be all right for us but what about the boys?" asked Zan. - -"They have to pass by your site on their way up the shore and you can -hail them," suggested Jim. - -"It's growing late, girls, and we have to pitch tents, get ready to cook -supper, and lots of other work," warned the Guide. - -"Then let's follow Alfred's advice and take a chance on finding the -boys," agreed Elizabeth. - -As they started again to cross the Island to find the camping place Mrs. -Remington had used that Spring Elizabeth told them what a Paradise it -was. Woods, beach, cliff for diving, spring of fine water, and -everything a Woodcrafter could wish for. - -Finally Alfred turned in on the hard sandy beach and in a short time -stopped by a small promontory of sand that ran out like a finger into -the sea. On top of this cliff and as far back as one could see, were the -woods, with a clearing in the foreground that Alfred said had been used -for the tents when Mrs. Remington camped there. - -The Woodcrafters exclaimed in surprise at the place that seemed made to -order for them, and Zan added: "Fiji's discovery can't be better than -this!" - -The chauffeurs helped carry the outfits to the clearing on top of the -cliff, and when all was done, Alfred said: "I ought to be goin', Miss -'Lizabeth, 'cause your father comes in on that six o'clock train, you -know, and it takes a full hour to get there from here!" - -"Oh, it can't be five o'clock yet, Alfred," cried Elizabeth, surprised. - -"It is five of five," replied Miss Miller, consulting her watch. - -"Good gracious! Where are those boys?" cried Zan. - -"We surely must be at the wrong site, but we will remain where we are -for to-night, anyway," added Jane. - -"Jim, if Fiji 'phones home to ask where we are try and direct him how to -find us, will you?" said Zan. - -Shortly after the automobiles left, Elizabeth spied a fleck of white out -on the water, and with her experienced eye saw it bob up and down. - -"Zan, bring the glasses! I'm sure I see the white launch," cried she, -keeping her eye on the distant spot. - -"Where? I can't see a thing but some white-caps," said Zan, handing the -glasses to Elizabeth. - -"That's because you never spent your Summers on an Island off the Maine -coast like I have," laughed the girl, focussing the glasses. - -"It's Fred and his crew, all right!" cried Elizabeth, passing the -glasses to Zan. - -"Oh yes, I can see them now, but aren't they going very slow for a motor -launch?" called Zan. - -"Maybe something broke down and they can't get in," said Eleanor Wilbur, -who had been more than pleasant and obliging all that week. - -"No, they are labouring against wind and tides, I guess," remarked -Elizabeth, who was busy with a long strip of linen which happened to be -packed with the stores when Mrs. Remington made up the hamper. - -"What are you doing?" asked one of the girls. - -"I'm using this linen Mother sent for bandages if we had to use them, -for a signal flag. I'll stick it out on that dead pine tree on the cliff -and Fred will surely see it." - -"And we might build a smoke-fire," suggested Zan. - -"Yes, do that. Then we can signal them that we are lost," chuckled Jane, -running to gather red pine bark. - -Finally, the steam whistle on the launch signalled that the boys had -seen the smoke and flag, and later the launch beached where it made a -good landing-place. - -The girls helped the sailors transport their luggage from the launch to -the clearing on the cliff, and Zan remarked: "I see you brought the -aqua-plane." - -"Bet your life! Betsy would have sent us back for it had we forgotten to -bring it," laughed Fred, as he climbed the sandy side of the cliff. - -Once on top where he found the Guide and other girls making camp, he -said: "Where are the other boys? Fishing?" - -"No, we never met each other as planned. I think they are camping at -some other spot," said Zan. - -"They'll hunt us up quick enough when it's time for supper. You see we -brought the hampers," laughed Jane. - -Fred looked serious, however. "We had a dreadful time rounding the -Island where the sea sweeps in through the Narrows. It was all we could -do to stem the current. Even as it was, we had to go way out of our road -to avoid the swift tide." - -"You don't think anything could have happened to them, do you?" cried -Zan, anxiously. - -"I shouldn't wonder but what they have been over-turned," now added -Eleanor, with her pessimistic propensity. - -"Not that at all, girls, only they may have been swept so far out of -their course that paddles couldn't help them along very fast. Then they -may have to camp wherever they are," said Fred. - -"All the same, you know as well as I do, that lots of folks are drowned -off this shore--'specially boys. You can read about a death that way -every day!" persisted Eleanor. - -"Then they didn't know how to swim like Fiji and Jack do. Why, they're -regular water-rats!" replied Fred, optimistically. - -"Swimming won't help much if they have cramps! That sinks you like -lead!" countered Eleanor again. - -Miss Miller heard the whole conversation and also saw Zan and Jane turn -pale when they first thought of danger to their brothers. Until this -time they thought it a great joke that they had found such a fine site -and were camping with all the foodstuff. - -At Eleanor's first exclamation the Guide had frowned, for her religion -was one of practical common sense and cheerful optimism. She looked -about for something to interest the girls and, at the same time, stop -Eleanor from talking, so when she heard the last rejoinder to Fred's -attempts at encouraging Zan and Jane, she called to Eleanor: - -"Will you help me unpack these hampers, while the other girls gather -fire-wood? Zan, suppose Jane and you keep the signal fires burning on -that cliff's edge. The boys will see the smoke if they are near here." - -Eleanor walked slowly over to Miss Miller, frowning as she went. But the -Guide failed to notice it as she was busy with the camp dishes and pans. - -"Will you put these bags of groceries over in the box that stands in my -tent?" asked the Guide, holding up the paper bags. - -"Why must I play kitchen-mechanic while all the other girls are having a -good time in the woods?" complained Eleanor. - -At the words and tone, the Guide looked up amazed. - -"Good gracious, I thought you would prefer to do this to stooping and -collecting old wood," said she, vexed at the girl. - -"You take particular pains to make me do the unpleasant things, I -notice. Now, when I was trying to prepare Zan and Jane for the worst, -you called me to get me away from them. Don't I know?" sneered Eleanor, -loftily. - -"Woodcrafters never prepare for the worst! It is our rule to always wait -for the best and let the worst take care of itself!" declared Miss -Miller, wondering what under the sun she was to do with this undesirable -character. - -"Oh! you are so preachy! One never takes a turn but you have a lecture -ready--generally on this Woodcraft!" cried Eleanor impatiently. "The -other girls flatter you by calling it 'poesy' and artistic temperament, -but I call 'a spade a spade'!" - -"Do you?" queried Miss Miller, suddenly making up her mind what to do. -"Then you won't object if I 'take the bull by the horns'--another old -saying!" - -"You may take anything by his horns if you choose, it won't concern me -in the least!" said Eleanor, disdainfully, as well as significantly. - -"Then sit down right where you are!" ordered Miss Miller with a -determined manner that made Eleanor glance at her in wonderment. - -"Sit down, I said!" - -"Why should I obey you?" questioned Eleanor, stubbornly. - -"Because I am in command of this camp and what I say goes without -questioning. Either do as I bid you or take your bag and start for home -at once!" - -"Wh--h--y! You couldn't do that!" gasped Eleanor. - -"We can oust you from camp and send you away but it is up to you whether -you return home or hang about the woods." - -Eleanor had never camped before and it was a new experience she had -looked forward to because of the joys claimed by the other Woodcrafters. -But to wander in the woods alone in the dark was quite a foreign plan to -the one she had anticipated. She was hungry, too, and being sent away at -once meant going without supper. She glanced from the corners of her -eyes to see just how far Miss Miller might carry out her threat, but the -Guide was watching her with a stern expression. - -Eleanor, not knowing what to do at the moment, sat down to gain time. -Miss Miller, who feared she might weaken in her sudden and unprecedented -manner of severity, immediately spoke. - -"I have watched you most carefully for the past two weeks and I have -seen things you never dreamed of! Now, I am going to have it out with -you!" - -At this, Eleanor went white and trembled. She cowered as if she expected -a blow, but she refused to look at the Guide. - -"You will remember a threat you made to May Randall the day you stopped -to see how the girls were progressing with their work?" asked Miss -Miller, referring to the lack of interest the girl displayed in -carpentry and the unkind words she used to May. - -"Oh for goodness' sake don't say a word about that old chest! I wish to -goodness I had never seen May Randall and her Woodcraft box!" cried -Eleanor, as if driven to desperation. - -Miss Miller was as surprised now as the girl had been a few moments -before, but she rallied much quicker than the guilty one. The truth -flashed over her quick mind and she changed her query accordingly. - -"It is a pity that you ever gave in to temptation. You certainly can't -blame your covert acts on May or any other being. The evil we do is -absolutely our own fault, for every man is a free agent to choose what -he will do. Sometimes it is fear or cowardice that drives one to do an -evil deed but it is the downright criminal that obeys an evil idea or -plan, knowing he is doing a thing that condemns him to the world and in -his own estimation, too." - -"Well, what do you want to do about it? Did you call me over here to -tell me what you thought of me? Why didn't you do it before to-day, then -I wouldn't have come?" cried Eleanor, still defiantly. - -"I hadn't the least idea of speaking to you about May's chest until you -brought it upon yourself. I was going to mention something entirely -different until you compelled me to say what I did just now." - -"And you kept this secret all to yourself this week?" cried Eleanor, -looking at Miss Miller with a kindlier expression. - -"Eleanor," said the Guide, catching at that tiny hope of softening the -stubborn girl, "I do not think another member in the Band dreams that -you had anything to do with the missing chest, and I do not think anyone -but you and I suspects the truth." - -"And you let me come with the Tribe knowing this about me?" Eleanor's -gaze dropped to the ground and she sat thinking. - -According to Miss Miller's code, when one began to think earnestly over -anything, or tried introspection of one's self, it was a symptom of -recovery, even though there might be a long siege of diseased conditions -before perfect health was attained. So she remained silent waiting for -Eleanor to think some more. - -"You're either mighty fair to me or you're keeping this thing quiet for -fear others will hear of it and so belittle your influence with the -girls," finally declared Eleanor. - -"Don't you think you are judging unfairly, after you just said 'I was -fair'? Why should I hesitate to make you resign from our Tribe for doing -a dastardly trick with May's box? No one but you and I would ever know -the truth about it, and I'm sure you wouldn't mention it to anyone, -because you are heartily ashamed of the deed. If I was afraid of others' -opinions about my Band of Girls, I would make you resign before any -other tricks were perpetrated by you. But I _am_ fair and I want to see -you make good, now that you have this Woodcraft opportunity, hence I am -talking to you instead of sending you away." - -"Then, all I can say, is, that you're all right!" declared Eleanor. But -in another second she felt suspicious again. - -"I suppose, now that I've admitted the deed, you'll have me up for a -public reprimand. It goes with a teacher's ideals of training!" - -The Guide could not but admire the girl's quick mental powers and -thought what a wonderful woman she would make if her character and mind -were but trained properly instead of along the lines of this present -example. - -"I thought we might arrange it this way, if I had your word of honour -that you would work hard to destroy the 'little foxes that destroy the -vines'; you can replace the chest by leaving it at my home, or send it -by messenger to the gymnasium Monday noon. I will put it in the closet -and send a note to May saying that the box was found but the conditions -for return were that no questions were to be asked. At the same time I -expect you to volunteer the information, thus clearing the school -children." - -Eleanor sat glowering at the Guide for full three minutes as if to read -her true reasons for this leniency, but Miss Miller understood enough of -psychology to realise that this was the great crisis. In that -interchange of heart-readings, Eleanor saw only truth and loving -sympathy shine from the woman's eyes, and Miss Miller saw the adamant of -wilfulness break ever so little. - -The Guide knew that just so much love and forbearance as she really felt -in her innermost heart for this misled girl, just so much could she -influence and lift her at this crucial time. So she prayed, oh, so -fervently, to the Great Spirit for help and light to do exactly the -right thing. And that silent prayer must have been the glorified light -that shone from her eyes for it led Eleanor to melt as she had never -melted before. She leaned her head over on the grass and wept bitterly. - -Miss Miller rose and left the repentant girl alone, while she noisily -busied herself with the pots and pans. She knew that not words or pity -but silent calling upon Omnipotence for strength and faith would be the -balm that would help and heal this weak reed swayed by evil's -suggestions. - -As the Guide washed some potatoes she said to herself in a low murmur: -"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil--for Thine is the -Power!" - -Then: "Miss Miller," sounded a weak little voice at her side, "shall I -wipe the dishes with a clean towel?" - -"Yes, dear, I wish you would." - -And that was all. - -"Guess what we found, Miss Miller?" called a chorus of voices, as the -fire-gatherers returned with armfuls of dry wood. - -"Mushrooms?" - -"Wh--hy, who told you?" cried the girls, looking about for the -messenger. - -"That little bird just flew by and whispered it in my ear," laughed Miss -Miller, pointing to a great sea-gull that hovered over their heads. - -Everyone laughed and Jane added: "Yes, mushrooms but not enough for all. -If we only had a steak they would make a fine sauce." - -"Oh gee! That reminds me I forgot my donation to the party!" cried Bob -Baker, springing up from the grass where he had thrown himself, and -running down to the launch. - -"Bob trawled all the way and caught some pretty good sized fish. I -thought all decent sized fish were driven out of these waters by the -traffic and pollution from sewers, but I was mistaken," explained Fred, -watching Bob run back with his catch. - -"Now we can use the mushrooms!" cried Zan. - -"Fred, why don't you cook the fish the way father taught us on Sunset -Island?" asked Elizabeth. - -"Just as Miss Miller says," replied Fred, looking at the Guide. - -"Miss Miller says cook the whole supper if you like, then we can take a -swim. You boys have had your dip, you know," laughed she. - -"Now, how did you know that? We boys said we wouldn't let you know it!" -cried Bob. - -"Really, you are uncanny, Miss Miller," added Fred. - -"Anyone could tell Bob had been in, from his damp curly pate, and Billy -still has the brine sticking up about his scalp. If I should need any -further evidence I might say that one of the younger boys put on Fred's -socks by mistake, or else he made a blunder when he mentioned his size -to the clerk who sold them," said the Guide, smiling. - -Everyone glanced at Billy's feet, and lo! the socks were hanging loosely -down over his shoes, several sizes too large for him, while Fred's -turned-up white trousers showed socks so tight that they stopped the -circulation at the top, but the tops only reached to the place where his -shoes ended. - -A peal of laughter rang out and echoed through the woods at the sight -the three surprised boys made, and Zan said: - -"Just for that, you have to cook supper while we take a dip!" - -"We're game. Not because we took a swim before we got here, but because -you've got such an all-round fine clairvoyant!" laughed Fred, looking at -Miss Miller with admiration. - -"Shall we wait supper for Fiji and Jack?" asked Bob. - -"They'll be given something should they come straggling in late, but I -firmly believe they went to their own camp-site and are now pitying us -for not having found them," said Miss Miller. - -"And you can leave it to Jack to have something to eat! He never takes a -chance on going without a square meal!" added Jane. - -"We'll keep the signal-fire going all night and when it is dark they can -see it and get their bearings for us in the morning," suggested Fred. - -So the girls ran to their tents to hurry into bathing suits and take a -swim before the call came for supper. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN--CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END - - -"Come ahead, boys, clean the fish and get them ready for me to cook," -called Fred, starting to dig a hole in the ground about twice the size -of the fish. This he thickly lined with large sized shore pebbles which -had been well washed. On top of these stones he built a good fire until -it thoroughly heated the stones to a white heat. - -Meantime Bob and Billy cleaned and washed the fish, then placed a thick -strip of bacon inside each one. They salted, peppered, and floured the -fish ready to cook. - -When the fire-pit was ready, Fred raked out the cinders and put a layer -of clean grass on top of the red-hot stones. He laid out the fish on -this and covered them with a layer of the grass, and on top of this he -spread a thin layer of sand. Then he piled in the glowing cinders and -kept the fire burning fiercely on top of Nature's sauce-pan. - -The Guide returned from her bath while the fish were cooking and -expressed deep interest in the new method of cooking she saw -demonstrated before her. Fred explained how he built the oven and a note -was made to enter the splendid idea in the Tribe's Tally. - -"Are the fish most done?" asked Elizabeth, sniffing for an odour of the -cooking. - -"Be ready about the same time the rest of the supper is," replied Fred. - -"That's a new kind of a pot-hanger, Miss Miller," said Zan, pointing to -the sapling Fred had rigged up. - -"I'll tell you girls just how I made this fire-place," offered he. -"Large stones are so plentiful about here, so I took some flat ones and -built the fire inside the narrow aperture made by laying the stones in -two rows parallel to each other. The sauce-pans stand close over the -fire and are quite firm on these flat stones, and the building does not -take as long to complete as a log fire-place. - -"These two green logs were found by Billy, and you can see for -yourselves that the angle they make as placed, provides a resting place -for various sized pots--small to large--the large ones setting on the -widest opening of the angle. The fire built between the logs is easily -kept clean by raking out the dead ash from the widest opening. - -"Now this is a good form of pot-hanger where you want a kettle to hang -directly over a fire. I found a good sapling that had a well-defined -notch made by two branches. These I cut down to about three inches in -length. The bottom of the sapling I trimmed to a point to drive into the -ground the right distance I wanted. - -"Then I trimmed another forked sapling similar to the first but much -longer. This I fitted into the crotch of the upright stick, with the -forked end directly over the fire, and the opposite end held firmly to -the ground by means of a stump or flat stone. You see, this forked -device of the end over the fire keeps the handle of the pot from -slipping off, and the long end held to the ground by a weight gives the -kettle enough swing to resist any extra contents. - -"While you're all here seeing me do it, let me tell you a fine stunt if -the weather is bad and tents are damp, or cots cold and uncomfortable," -added Fred, as he concluded his talk on pot-hangers. "When you are -through cooking dinner, you can take these red-hot fire-stones by means -of a stout stick and a dishpan, and carry them to the tent. In a short -time, the heat rising from the stones will dry the atmosphere. If the -cots are damp and cold, place the pan of hot stones under the bed and -they will soon dry and be warm as toast all night. If you want the -temperature of the tent to keep warm all night, place a layer of moss or -grass over the stones. The rock will retain its heat for hours after -removing it from the fire." - -"Well! If Fred Remington doesn't know everything!" sighed Elena, -admiringly. - -"I wish you were a member of our Tribe," added Zan. - -"Who wouldn't be an expert Woodcrafter with such a mother! Why, she was -an enthusiastic worker in the plan long before a regular League started. -Besides, we spend our Summers on the Island in Maine, and what we don't -know from camping at home we ferret out from the farmers and fishermen -on the Coast. My uncles own the neighbouring islands to ours and they -enjoy out-door life, too. So we all have a good time experimenting with -new ideas and remembering the good ones for future use," explained Fred, -eagerly. - -"Fred knows so much about camping and cooking because he won a degree -for Camp Cook. Besides, he and his Tribe go hiking and camping every -Saturday and Fred has charge of the party. I am working for the degree -this year, and I'm sure I shall win it," said Elizabeth, who was cooking -a concoction she wished to try out. - -"It behooves Wako Tribe to keep on friendly terms with you, Elizabeth," -remarked the Guide, smiling at Zan. - -"Oh, we found that out long ago, Miss Miller," retorted the Chief. - -"What is that stuff you are fixing, Betsy? It smells awful good," asked -Hilda, sniffing at the steam that rose from the pot Elizabeth was using -for her brew. - -"I call it 'hastychowder' and it is made this way, in case you girls -want to try it sometime: To one can of corn, take four cups of potatoes -cut into small dice, two ounces of salt pork, also cut fine, a small -onion, and about four ounces of crackers. Fry the pork and onions brown -and then add the corn and potatoes. Cover this with water and cook until -the vegetables are soft. Then add the milk and some salt, and lastly the -crackers. If the crackers are soaked in milk for a time before using, I -think it makes the chowder better." - -"Well, whatever you call it or cook it, it smells mighty good to me," -said Jane. - -"Girls, I wanted to have plain cooked rice with the fish, but how can I -cook it when every pot and place is in use?" asked the Guide, looking at -the array of pans and pots all holding food. - -"Ha! You'd make a poor tenderfoot if you were lost on the mountains with -no outfit!" laughed Fred. - -"What would you do in that case?" asked the Guide. - -"Watch me! May I have a bit of this birch bark the girls brought back -with them from the woods?" asked Fred. - -"Help yourself," replied Zan. - -Fred quickly selected a strip of bark about ten inches wide. This he -folded end to end to form a round tube. The edges were stitched with -wire-grass. Then he sewed a bottom on one end and it represented a bark -pail. Next he plastered clay on the outside seams, and rubbed some gum -from a wild cherry tree on the seams of the inside, saying: "If we had -time to let the clay dry I wouldn't use the gum on the inside, but now I -need to make it water-proof." - -Then he filled this vessel with water and selected two red-hot stones of -a smaller size than the others, and dropped them in the water. -Instantly, the water began boiling and the rice, which Miss Miller had -washed, was poured into the vessel and a cover placed over the top. - -"When our dinner is ready, the rice will be steamed, too," said Fred, -placing the bark vessel on a flat stone near the fire-place. - -"Well I never!" ejaculated some of the girls, while Elena hastily -sketched the birch-bark holder and wrote down the rules for -manufacturing it. - -"Now girls, lay the cloth and have the dishes ready for the chowder," -called Elizabeth, tasting the liquid from the tip of a spoon. - -"I wish those two boys were here to enjoy this scrumptious meal," said -Jane, sighing as she thought of their loss. - -The chowder was dished up and eaten with sounds of many smacks and -"Ahs!" Then the fish were removed from the oven and as the aroma of the -flaky and sweet meat reached the nostrils of the Woodcrafters, a chorus -of "Um's!" echoed about the camp-circle. - -Every morsel of that supper vanished like ice in the July sunshine and -was declared the best ever tasted by the campers. The gray of evening -crept over sky and sea and earth as the Woodcrafters sat about the dying -embers of the camp-fire hoping for a call or signal from the two boys, -which would warn them of their approach. But in spite of the torch Fred -kept burning on the Cliff, nothing was heard or seen from the wanderers. - -Eleanor had been very quiet and meek since her confession to the Guide, -but old ingrained habits are not thrown off in one moment of repentance. -When Fred returned from the Cliff with the report that he saw no sign of -a fire or signal, she remarked: - -"Well, you said the current was dreadfully strong just around the end of -the Island. Maybe they couldn't make it and are being carried out to sea -in the canoe." - -"Oh no, they're all right," assured Fred, glancing at Zan and Jane. - -"But they may have lost the paddles, or a dozen of any many things may -have happened. Boys are always careless with an open boat," persisted -Eleanor. - -"Miss Miller, we'll put an end to this dread by going to the nearest -telephone station. If the boys think we're lost they will 'phone home -sometime before morning, and then they can tell them where we are. If -they have already 'phoned we will find out and rest easier for the -news," said Fred, pulling Bob up from his lounge by the fire. - -"It's too dark to see where we're going," grumbled Bob, who had enjoyed -the chowder and fish overmuch. - -"Not when my lanterns are ready. Watch me," said Fred, picking up the -two empty tins left from the corn, and slitting a hole in the side of -each. The lid-ends were bent back and a candle fitted in the openings, -then the jagged ends were pressed back into the tallow. The one end of -the can was cut out entirely and the opposite end which had been cut -open to remove the corn was bent back on the small piece of tin uncut -and used as a handle for the impromptu lanterns. - -Enough light reflected from the shiny tin of the inside cans to show the -boys where to walk, and they started off on the hazard of finding a -house or village where they could use a telephone. - -"Let's study the stars while they are gone. Who can tell us a new story -or find the old planets?" suggested Zan. - -So the time passed quickly until the campers heard a whoop from the -woods and saw the flickering of the two lights as the boys approached -the fire. - -"What did you find out?" cried Jane and Zan, as they jumped up from the -grass to run and meet the messengers. - -"Good joke on Jack and Fiji! They just telephoned a few minutes before -we did. They were wondering what had happened to you girls. They said -that Bob knew well enough where to go as he saw the tree blazed as a -sign for you," said Fred. - -"So I did, but the day we came over to hunt up a site, we were in the -auto and to-day I came by boat, so it looked very different. Besides, -both places look alike as far as woods and beach and sandy cliff go," -responded Bob. - -"Did they say they would look us up to-night?" asked Zan. - -"They haven't the slightest idea where to find us in the dark, so they -will remain at the camp where they are and pick us up in the morning," -explained Fred. - -"Well, thank goodness, we know they are safe and sound, although I felt -sure they were, right along," sighed Jane. - -"Yes, indeed, two athletic boys like Fiji and Jack would be all right," -added Eleanor, really believing her own words--such is the -changeableness of a dual nature. - -The tired Woodcrafters then retired and sighed as they stretched out -weary bones on the cots or under the stars on soft pine beds. - -"Gee! This is the life!" chuckled Bob, as he bounced up and down on the -springy spruce-tip bed. - -"Guess the midgets haven't reached you yet!" grumbled Billy, as he -slapped viciously at an unseen plague. - -Then Fred began slapping and whipping the air, and finally Bob felt the -mosquitoes and midgets bite, until all three boys jumped up again and -began building a smudge fire. - -"Oh boys! If you would only come over to our camp and help us build a -smoke like yours! We can't sleep a wink!" cried Zan. - -Fred and his helpers soon had a number of small smudge fires burning -about the tents and the girls thanked them sincerely as they felt relief -from the pesky insects that make camping a trial. - -The gay carolling of a few late birds woke the campers, and Miss Miller -was soon out ready to start breakfast. The others all declared for a -morning dip, and were soon splashing and playing in the surf. The boys -preferred to go in later, however, and take the morning hour before -breakfast to catch some fish. - -"Maybe we'll get enough for breakfast and dinner, too!" said Bob. - -By the time the girls were dressed, the boys returned to land with three -goodly sized fish and the news that they had spied a smoke rising from a -campfire some two miles down the shore. - -"It's Fiji and Jack--I wish we could surprise them at breakfast," -laughed Zan. - -"I have an idea!" ventured Bob. "Right after breakfast, let's take as -many as can get in the launch and start down the coast; the others can -hike through the woods and meet us there. On the way back we will make -the others ride home and the first batch walk." - -"I'll ride the aqua-plane," offered Elizabeth. - -"Why don't you let some of the other girls do that?" asked Fred. - -"They don't know how." - -"But it isn't hard to learn. I can show them how to balance in a few -trials. Do you want to try after breakfast, Zan?" returned Fred. - -"Oh, I'd love it!" cried Zan. - -So breakfast was quickly disposed of because the girls anticipated great -sport with the plane. Billy was detailed to steer the launch while Fred -showed the girls how to balance and guide the ropes to make the -aqua-plane skim lightly over the waves. - -After many upsets and great shouting and excitement, the girls could -manage the plane quite well. Then as the young engineer increased the -speed of the launch and the plane fairly flew over the water, the riders -felt as if they were aviators, the sense of the rest for their feet -disappearing in the dizzy pace with which they sped over the surf. - -"I thought you folks wanted to hunt up the lost boys?" called Miss -Miller, when she thought the girls had had enough of the drenching sport -for that morning. - -"So we will, now that we can take turns on the plane as we go -alongshore," called back Zan. - -"We'll have to draw lots for the pleasure--there are too many here to -ride on the way down," said Fred. - -The lot was chosen by having each girl draw a blade of grass from the -Guide's hand. The shortest piece would win. It fell to Elizabeth, and -the other girls all said it was a reward for her sacrifice of enjoying -the fun while the others were practising. - -The girls who were to hike were just ready to start out when a canoe -shot around the point of the promontory and a voice bawled out: - -"Well, I must say! A lot of fine friends Jack and I have!" - -"I must say! You're a nice host to lead a lot of - -"Don't tell me you never knew that! Why, everyone knows that a clam -swims in with the tide and burrows down in the wet sand to sleep. If you -walk over its little mound it spurts water up like a geyser," returned -Zan. - -"Come on, girls, let's make 'em spurt!" urged Billy, who was very fond -of all sports, fishing included. - -The launch and aqua-plane were drawn up on the beach and soon sixteen -busy clam-diggers were bending over, laughing, and calling to each -other, at every clam discovered. It was great fun. - -After half an hour of this pastime, the Guide asked Zan and Hilda to go -with her and build a fire and prepare the kettle for the chowder. But -they had scarcely completed the laying of the fire-wood when Eleanor -joined them. - -"Oh, my back aches so! I think clamming is dreadfully hard work. How you -folks can find sport in everything you do is beyond me. Now I would much -rather help fix the fire and let one of you two girls take my place -clamming," remarked Eleanor. - -"The fire's all ready, and Miss Miller is going to start the chowder. -But you can help collect more wood from that grove so we will have a -pile on hand," said Zan, with a frown. - -Eleanor ran away and Zan looked at the Guide, but her face expressed -nothing that would encourage the girl to criticise the indolent member -of the Band. - - -[Illustration: _A DIP IN THE "BRINY DEEP."_] - - -Eleanor was gone a long time without having brought in any wood when -Hilda was asked to go in search of her. - -"Good gracious me! Not only does Eleanor make a burden of herself for -the Band but now she needs a nurse to watch and keep her from mischief!" -declared Hilda, impatiently. - -Hilda ran off and Zan stood watching her out of sight. Then she turned -to the Guide: "Now what next?" - -"I have just been thinking that we might have potatoes with fish for -lunch and save that chowder for supper when the visitors are here." - -"Um--it's very filling, I have heard," commented Zan. - -Miss Miller laughed. "Yes, and it needs a long time for cooking well. -Besides, we won't need to waste any good time over an elaborate meal -with that chowder to found on." - -"Will there be fish enough to go round?" asked Zan. - -"Yes, Jack brought up several fine fish that Fiji and he caught at dawn -this morning, so we ought to fare very well." - -Hilda now came back with Eleanor strolling after her--Hilda carrying the -heavy load of wood, and Eleanor whipping the heads from some late -goldenrod with a switch. - -"I found her stretched out on some moss blinking up at the blue sky!" -reported Hilda, disdainfully. - -"Why shouldn't I rest after working so hard? Look at the wood I found," -retorted Eleanor. - -"Why didn't you lug it into camp? There's no credit due you for finding -a few sticks if you don't carry out the task to fulfilment," scorned -Zan. - -"Miss Miller, I'm sick of this business! I never was so hard worked in -my life, and to think how everyone finds fault with me for not doing -more," said Eleanor, testily. - -"I wonder if any of you girls stopped to think that you could start a -list for your fish _coups_ by knowing and studying the fish caught here. -Suppose you all begin with these three kinds," suggested Miss Miller, -wisely. - -"That's so, we never thought of it," cried Hilda. - -"Dear me, why didn't we try to place those fish this morning? Did you -know them, Miss Miller?" asked Zan. - -Eleanor was interested in the fish, too, and so another fatality for the -new member was averted. - -"I knew the white fish we had this morning, and I see here is another. -That other fish I believe to be a sea-trout but we will have to verify -that by asking the boys. They will know." - -"And that smaller one--if the boys know we will have three on the list -already, won't we?" said Zan, eagerly. - -"Of course the boys know--they seem to imbibe knowledge of this sort by -instinct. Why, a boy never has to _learn_ to swim, he just flops in the -water and sails along like a frog, while we timid females try and try -again before we can get the stroke," declared Hilda. - -The clam-diggers came up with a large reward for their aching backs and -sun-burn, and the plan of starting a list of fish was proposed by the -Chief. Thereafter, more interest was shown in the three kinds of fish on -exhibit than any of the girls could ever remember before. - -While the Woodcrafters sat eating luncheon, a peculiar whistle sounded -from the woods back of them. - -"Sounds like a tramp signalling a pal to come and enjoy this lunch," -teased Bob. - -"You seem to forget that we girls won a _coup_ for knowing our native -birds this Summer. I know what kind of a bird that is, too. Anyone else -here recognise it?" said Zan. - -"Don't tell! Don't--please. Let us new members try to place the sound -and sight and begin on our bird _coups_," interrupted Anne Mason. - -"Come on, hurry up! We can wash dishes later," added Frances. - -"You girls go, and I will remain here with the boys to clear away the -dishes and follow after you later," offered the Guide. - -So the Band ran away and shortly after Miss Miller and her helpers -finished the chores and went into the woods also. About an hour was -spent in interesting study and pursuit of Nature's lore, when a sound -coming from the direction of the camp reached the crowd. - -"That's a kind of bird I know at once!" laughed Zan. - -"It sounds like the siren on your Dad's machine," ventured Jane. - -"It is. I guess the company have arrived and are waiting for a welcome," -added Fiji. - -At that, the Guide turned and the Band trailed after her to the -camp-site where they found the doctor impolitely prying into the state -of the larder, and two ladies with two children laughing at his remarks -when he discovered the fragrant chowder. - -"Oh, there's Edith and Baby!" cried Elizabeth, running to greet her -mother and the children. - -Having saluted the Woodcrafters with great ceremony, the doctor said: -"Some people have been busy this morning, judging from preparations for -dinner." - -"We just _had_ to dig to provide enough for you--when we heard you had -invited yourself to dinner with us," retorted Zan, who always enjoyed a -wordy combat with her father. - -"Well, I must confess, I brought my normal appetite with me, so it will -be fortunate if the others have anything to eat," replied Dr. Baker. - -"If you admit your appetite is normal now, what will it be after you -have had a dip in the briny?" laughed Fiji. - -"To insure ourselves against emergencies I had Moses pack some of his -unexcelled southern cake and pies," answered Mrs. Remington, pointing to -a huge hamper that had escaped notice. - -"Oh, we know Mose!" laughed Fred, running over to investigate. - -"Gee! Looka-here boys!" called Billy, as one goody after another was -lifted up and displayed to the circle of gourmands. - -"Come, come, Bill! Leave them in the hamper so they won't dry or be -covered with ants," advised his mother, going over to assist him in -obedience. - -"Who's ready for a sea-fight? In these days of deep-sea warfare we -should have practise to be ready to swim after a U-boat, if necessary," -called the doctor, seeing the hamper once more left in order and safety. - -"Me for the briny!" called Bob, running to the boys' tent. - -That morning, Fiji had discovered a deep pool directly under the sandy -point of the promontory, and this offered an excellent spot for diving. -While the more timid jumped about or swam nearer the beach, the older -and more experienced of the party enjoyed the dives and deep water. -Teddy and Edith found an impromptu pier made of drift-wood where the -launch was anchored, and here they played store, having tin cans and -shells for receptacles to hold sea-sand flour and sugar. - -Long before the merry bathers were ready to come out, the Guide and Mrs. -Baker and Mrs. Remington went to the tents and dressed. Then they began -preparations for the supper-party. - -The doctor always provided fun and laughter wherever he went, so the -evening meal was a jolly affair that night. After the young folks -declared they could laugh no more, Mrs. Baker said without a smile, "You -all are most gullible." - -"Why?" demanded a chorus of voices. - -"Why? Why to sit here and laugh while the doctor is making away with -that chowder. I haven't seen him pause a moment between spoonfuls while -he had you all laughing too heartily to eat." - -"Then he'll want to stay all night!" complained Bob. - -Everyone laughed, for the tone said as plain as day: "I hope to goodness -he won't!" - -"That is all I've been waiting for--an invitation," replied the doctor. - -"We can't tuck you in anywhere. You'll have to win a _coup_ for sleeping -out under the stars," laughed Zan. - -"Don't worry, friends! Doctor is only teasing. He has to be back in the -city at nine to-night to meet a physician and consult over a case," -explained Mrs. Baker. - -"Then we'd better make the most of the time left us," urged the doctor, -jumping up ready for anything proposed. - -"Shall we dance?" asked Nita. - -"Oh, be considerate! Remember I enjoyed the chowder more than was -reasonable and I am not in a mood to play Na-na Bo-jou!" warned the -doctor. - -Everyone laughed again at that, for Na-na Bo-jou is one of the most -active of all energetic dances performed by Woodcrafters. - -"Why not sit quietly about the fire and hear a story?" suggested Mrs. -Baker. - -"Let Mrs. Remington tell it--she is a regular bookful of legends and -Indian lore," quickly added the Guide. - -The idea was heartily endorsed by the others and Mrs. Remington began: - -"How the Weasel Got His White Breast. - -"A long time ago, before there were any Indians, the world was inhabited -by spirits. These spirits were the souls of all the animals and plants -and things we see to-day. One of them was called Kanhlalas, the Weasel. -He was little and brown and lived in a field. One day a strange thing -happened to him. Listen, I will tell you about it. - -"Near the field where the Weasel had his home there was a mountain. On -top of the mountain lived an old man called Waida Dikit, the Speckled -Trout. He felt lonely up there, so he sent for Saroki Sakahl, the Green -Snake. When Saroki came Waida Dikit took him to his wigwam and said: - -"'My son, here is pipe and tobacco. Let us smoke awhile.' - -"Saroki sat down by the wall and smoked. He smoked so much that soon -Waida Dikit could not see across the wigwam. - -"'My son,' said he, taking his own pipe from his mouth, 'you are a -strong smoker.' - -"Saroki did not answer. After a time Waida Dikit stuck his head from the -wigwam and saw that the whole world was covered with the smoke from -Saroki's pipe. Waida Dikit was frightened. He felt about on the floor -for his flute. - -"'You have smoked enough,' he said to Saroki. 'Here is a flute. Let me -hear you play.' - -"Saroki took the flute and played for three days and three nights -without stopping. By the end of the first day Waida Dikit could see -through the smoke which was fast thinning, and he could see the other -side of the wigwam. - -"By the end of the third day the smoke was all gone and the blue sky -could be seen once more. Then Saroki stopped playing. - -"'You are a good player,' said Waida Dikit, 'but I know a better one. He -is Kanhlalas, the Weasel that lives down there in the field. I will send -for him.' - -"In a little while Kanhlalas came, bringing his own flute. When he was -comfortably seated in the middle of the wigwam, Waida Dikit said to him: -'Saroki Sakahl thinks he is a fine player. If you play he will know what -a good player really is.' - -"Kanhlalas took his flute, swelled out his chest, and began playing. He -played all day and all night without stopping. By morning he was so out -of breath that there appeared a white stripe down the middle of his -breast. He merely swelled out his chest a little more and went on -playing. Waida Dikit and Saroki Sakahl became frightened. - -"'Stop!' cried both of them. 'Something will happen. We know that you -are the best player now.' - -"But Kanhlalas would not listen nor would he stop playing. He only -played harder and harder. By the end of the third day his breath was -entirely gone and he had to stop. But it was too late! - -"His whole breast was white as snow and from that day to this every -weasel has had a white breast." - -As Mrs. Remington concluded the story the campers signified their -disapproval of such a short tale by demanding another, but Dr. Baker -declared it was time they started for home. - -"But do wait and let us have one dance to pay Mrs. Remington for the -story," cried Nita, springing up ever ready to perform. - -"Girls, show our visitors the dance-song of 'Summertime,'" suggested the -Guide. - -The Band then performed the song to graceful steps and motions and the -audience loudly applauded when it was finished. - -"Mother, why can't I stay over-night with Elizabeth and the other, -girls--Zan says they can find lots of room for a little girl like me," -pleaded Edith. - -"Yes, do allow the child to remain with us. It is only for one night, -you know," added Miss Miller. - -"Why, you seem to have so many already, that I would not like to add to -the care," responded Mrs. Remington, doubtfully. - -"I'll be so good, mother, that it will be no care!" begged Edith. - -"And we will look after her, mother," added Elizabeth. - -"I wanna stay, too!" now demanded the youthful Theodore Roosevelt -Remington, aged four. - -"No, no, Baby, Mother needs you at home!" quickly said Edith. - -To the little girl's delight, she was permitted to remain and the others -started for home, leaving the weary hostesses to seek tents and cots -where all were soon fast asleep, despite the mosquitoes. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT--QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY - - -At breakfast the following morning, Miss Miller said: "This being -Sunday, we must find a quiet form of enjoyment." - -"That won't deprive us of a swim, will it?" asked some of the anxious -campers. - -"Why no, but I do not think we ought to shout or dance or do the noisy -or boisterous things that are permissible on a week-day." - -"Let's discuss it later. I am having such a fine time with this -breakfast at present," said Zan, munching a mouthful of delicious -camp-biscuit. - -"So say we all of us," laughed Jane, eyeing the platter that was in -Fiji's hands. It held two fish-cakes and she was keen for one of them. - -"These fish-cakes made of the left-over fish of yesterday and that -steamed brown rice, are the finest I ever tasted," remarked Fiji. - -"Well, for pity's sake take one and pass the other this way," ordered -Jane, losing patience as she saw Fiji compare the two to help himself to -the larger one. - -"I wanted the one left," ventured Jack, teasingly. - -"I'm the oldest, Jack, and so I have first choice!" - -Everyone laughed at the twins as they generally argued this point of the -hour's difference in age, when it was a question of one obeying the -other. - -"You may be oldest but I am handsomest, and besides I have always been -delicate. The doctor told Mom to give me more fish!" retorted Jack. - -"Hem--yes! They claim that fish is food for the brain, and goodness -knows, you need something to develop that atrophied grey matter!" -taunted Jane, reaching for the platter. - -"Children! As Chief of this Tribe I cannot have such talk, hence I will -eat the fish-cake myself!" declared Zan, taking the platter Fiji passed, -and helping herself to the last bit. - -Everyone laughed at the outcome of the argument, and Jane sighed while -Jack smacked his lips as he watched the Chief make a great to-do over -the final crumb of fish. - -"While we wash dishes and clear camp the boys can go and bring in -fire-wood for this noon. Then we can have a story, if you like, until it -is time to have a dip," said the Guide, as they all got up from the -grass. - -"No sooner said than done!" answered Fred, starting for the woods. - -When the chores were done, the campers gathered about the Guide who -proposed that they go to the cliff and sit on the sand to hear the tale. - -"Who's turn is it for a legend?" asked Elena, after they had found -comfortable positions on the warm sand. - -"Doesn't matter whose--we always vote for Miss Miller," replied Hilda. - -A chorus of "How's!" approved this suggestion and the Guide smiled. - -"Let me see! I think I will tell you a Tlingit Myth. It is called 'The -Wolf Chief's Son.' - -"Famine visited a certain place in Alaska one time and many people died -of starvation. But there was a young boy who always went to the forest -with bow and arrow to hunt food for his family and friends and was never -selfish about giving it to others. - -"One day, as he was hunting, he found a little animal that looked like a -puppy dog. This he placed under his blanket and carried home. When he -washed it carefully and took it to his mother to see, she knew it was a -wild forest dog. - -"The boy then painted the dog's face and feet with some red paint left -him by an uncle and when he again went to the forest to hunt he took the -dog with him. There the little animal ran about and brought his master -grouse, birds, and other game, so the boy could carry home more food -than ever before. And this was cooked in a basket-pot by his mother. - -"The next day, the boy again put red paint on the feet and nose of the -dog, that he might trace the little fellow as he ran through the woods. -That day the game caught by the dog kept all the boy's friends from -starving. - -"One day, after the boy had traced the red trail made by the dog a long -way into the forest, he found the little animal had found and killed a -mountain sheep. This was taken home and the fat part given to the dog as -a reward. The rest of the sheep kept the boy's kindred alive that week. - -"The next time the boy and his wild dog went hunting, they found a large -flock of mountain sheep. The dog ran in and killed every one for his -master. The best one was cut open and the dog was fed the tenderest part -and the other sheep were enough to keep most of the villagers from -starving. - -"Then the boy's brother-in-law grew jealous of the many kind things the -villagers said of the boy who hunted and brought in so much food. He -went to the boy and said: 'I wish to hunt and want to borrow, your dog.' - -"The boy did not like to loan to another the little wild forest -companion he had become attached to, so he asked: 'What do you want of -my dog?' - -"'It is doing great things for you and I too wish to find food without -striving hard for it,' replied the man. - -"The boy sighed but his sister implored him to do as her husband asked, -so the boy brought his little dog and carefully painted his feet and -face. Then he turned to his brother-in-law and said: - -"'When he kills a sheep, be sure and feed him the best part. I always do -that and the dog knows it.' - -"The man took the dog and they went to the mountain where a flock of -sheep was grazing. The dog ran in and soon killed every one of them, but -the hunter cut open an old ram and threw the entrails in the dog's -expectant face, saying, 'Dogs eat the insides when a man needs the -tidbits and outside flesh of an animal.' - -"The little dog stood motionless for a moment, then, instead of eating -the entrails as ordered, ran straight up the mountain-side yelping and -crying pitifully, for the gall smarted as it ran into his eyes. - -"The man laughed and carted home the sheep, but the boy looked about -quickly and said: 'Where is my little dog?' - -"'Hoh, it ran away from me when I cut open the sheep.' - -"Then the boy ran to his sister and demanded that she tell him just what -happened on the mountain-side. - -"She told the boy what her husband had done with the entrails and how -the dog ran up the mountain-side yelping. - -"'I wish I had not loaned my dog! I did not want to, but you coaxed me -to it. This shows what folks do with borrowed property that they have -not worked to make perfect. They use the good of it and throw away what -is left. Now I demand that your husband show me the way the dog went,' -cried the boy, in great distress. - -"The sister told her husband he must show the boy the place where the -dog ran away from him. Once on the mountain-side, the boy saw the red -tracks made by his dog and these he followed until he came to a large -lake. - -"Now the forest dog was really the Wolf Chief's Son and because the boy -had painted the dog's face and feet with red paint a wolf has red on its -feet and around its snout to this day. - -"Standing at the lake-side, the boy wondered how he could cross it to -reach a town he saw on the opposite side of the water. As he wished he -might get across, a curl of smoke rose from the ground at his feet. - -"He jumped back in time to see the square of earth where he had been -standing open outward like a door on hinges. Then a woman's voice -quavered forth: 'Come in, come in, my son.' - -"The boy entered and saw an old woman sitting by the roots of a forest -tree, crooning over a pot of broth she was stirring. - -"'I am your grandmother, boy, and I will help you. What do you here all -alone?' - -"Then the boy told about his little dog and how he would like to find it -again. - -"'His people live on the other side of the lake. He is the Wolf Chief's -Son, grandchild--he is not a common dog,' said the woman. - -"'How can I get over there?' asked the boy. - -"'I have a little canoe--you may use that. Here it is,' replied the -grandame as she picked up a shrivelled leaf and handed it to the -astonished boy. - -"'How can I sit in this--it will not carry me?' said he. - -"'When you reach the lake-side just shake it open and it will swell -large in the water. Step in, stretch yourself out in the bottom of the -canoe and wish yourself across. Do not paddle it. When you are on the -other shore wish the canoe back to me and it will come.' - -"The boy did as directed and reached the opposite side of the lake, but -instead of wishing the canoe back again he wished it a leaf and this he -placed in his pocket for future use. - -"At the Wolf Chief's village he found some boys playing tug-of-war with -the ends of the rainbow. He stood watching for a moment but he came for -his little dog so he inquired the way to the Wolf Chief's wigwam. It was -at the end of the village. Here he found the people sitting about an -evening fire and the little dog was playing in front of Wolf Chief. - -"The boy watched and called joyfully to the dog, but the Wolf Chief -growled forth: 'A human is near us. Clear a way before him.' - -"At that the little dog ran up and sniffed the stranger. He knew him at -once and caught his garments between his teeth and dragged the visitor -over to his father, Wolf Chief. Here he barked out the story of the -boy's kindness to him when he was down in the valley. - -"Then the Wolf Chief welcomed the boy, saying: 'I sent my son to help -you hunt when I heard how you were helping the people to keep from -starving. Because you were grateful to your dog I will show you more -kindness. My boy shall not go back with you, but this is what I will -give you: This fish-hawk's quill to hunt with. Whenever you meet a bear -or sheep, hold the quill straight out and it will fly from your hand to -lodge in the animal's heart. Then remove the quill and clean it well to -keep for another trial.' - -"The boy took the quill and thanked the Chief. - -"Then the Wolf Chief added: 'I will also give you a great treasure as I -see you are a grateful lad.' - -"He removed a blanket from a tripod and handed it to the boy. 'Use this -for sickness or death. If a friend is ill cover him with this blanket -and he will immediately recover again.' - -"Again the boy thanked the Chief earnestly. - -"Then the Wolf Chief placed something in the boy's mouth, saying: -'Swallow this as you have a long journey before reaching your home -again. This will keep you from being hungry or weary.' - -"Then the little dog and the boy wept over each other, for they had been -fond companions, and the boy started homeward, being very careful of the -quill and medicine blanket. - -"As the boy came down the mountain-side near the village he met a bear -that stood in the trail and growled at him. He held the quill straight -at the beast and it flew right into the bear's heart. Then the boy took -the quill and cleaned it well. Next he cut some bearsteaks for immediate -use and covered over the remainder. - -"The boy reached his village from which he thought he had been absent -only two days and nights, but he found he had been gone two years--so -swiftly had the time passed while he had been at the Wolf Chief's -village by the lake-side. - -"As he entered the village he found it had been totally destroyed and -everyone was dead. He felt dreadfully sad at this discovery but he -remembered the medicine blanket, and this he placed over every member of -his family and they immediately came to life. Then he placed it over -everyone in the village and brought them all back to life--even the -brother-in-law who had been so ungrateful. - -"When all were alive once more they needed food so the boy ran to the -mountain and found a great flock of wild sheep. With the quill he soon -killed them and ordered the people to carry them home. - -"The villagers were so astonished when they saw him kill wild beasts -with a quill that they agreed to have him hunt for the entire village -and promised to pay him with skins and weapons for the meat. - -"When the villagers were nourished they told the boy that while he was -absent every tribe of people were killed by the famine and the plagues. -The boy then decided to visit the nations and revive the people by means -of the medicine blanket. This he did, but he only brought the good and -beautiful back to life, leaving the cruel and vicious, and deformed -ones, dead. And this he did for every creature on the earth. The bad and -worthless were killed off with the quill but the good and faithful -creatures were kept alive with the blanket. Thus it happened that the -earth became a beautiful spot to live in, for all men were as brothers, -and all creatures walked in the trails of man without fear or desire to -kill. And to this day, the boy feeds his people and everyone is happy -and at peace." - -As the Guide finished her story the Woodcrafters cried "How! How!" but -Fiji said: "I wish we had that blanket and quill at this present time!" - -"No such luck! It is war, war, war to the bitter end, I guess," added -Fred. - -"And starvation or famine and plagues for the world!" sighed Zan. - -"I'm not so sure but that the Hunter with the Medicine Blanket of Life -is again on earth to revive all the good and true people to everlasting -joy and peace," ventured the Guide, quietly. - -"Why, just think, if Fred or Fiji were two years older they would have -to go to France and be killed," cried Zan, fervently. "Some day in the -future maybe, Miss Miller, but no one can say there is joy or peace with -all this misery brought about by war." - -"No, my dear, not in the future--right now! I firmly believe that the -world will awaken to realise this wonderful state of existence shortly. -And if we believe any part of the Scriptures we _must_ believe the -prophecies of many writers of that Book. There is no room for doubt that -this is the time that is spoken of as 'The Day of the Lord.' But let us -consider other things now, even though Sunday is a good day to discuss -the heavenly conditions that will prevail the moment the 'dragon' is -over-powered. You see, I become so tremendously interested in this -warfare of Michael and Gabriel, the Two Angels that war against the -Dragon and the Beast, that I dare not pursue the subject further. You -would oust me from the Tribe if I talked of nothing but the New -Jerusalem. You are here to talk of Woodcraft instead," said Miss Miller, -springing up and looking brightly around for a new form of -entertainment. - -"I wonder how many of you ever gave a thought to the Woodcraft work -secrets contained in the sea?" said Miss Miller, gazing down from the -plateau to the stretch of glistening beach where the tide was nearing -its highest mark. - -"In the sea?" laughed Eleanor sceptically, as the others joined the -Guide and looked where she did. - -"Yes, and wonderful secrets it holds for us, too. Come, and I will show -you a few." - -Miss Miller picked up a glass fruit jar which had held some preserves -from home, and advising the others to find receptacles for the -collection she would show them, started down the sand-bank. - -"First, I would suggest that each girl find five or ten smooth round sea -pebbles as near a size as possible. These we will ask the boys to carry -in their pockets for us. I will show you what wonderful jack-stones they -make. In fact, the game originally was played with smooth stones. It was -only in later years that the iron imitations were manufactured and -placed upon the market. - -"Then let me tell you, that a collection of large oval light-coloured -stones make the prettiest sort of a marker to line off a flower-bed or -pathway. If they are well set in sand they will not roll or become muddy -from the rain that falls upon the soil of the garden. The sand holds -them in place and keeps them clean. - -"Another suggestion for Hand-craft for a Woodcrafter, is this: find a -large flat oval stone washed smooth by the sea and upon one side you can -paint a marine picture or, if you cannot paint, a conventional design -can be used to decorate it. This makes a lovely paper-weight for a -friend, or for your own desk. - -"For Edith and her little brother, we can hunt for pebbles that resemble -fruits and vegetables. Then the Little Brownies can play store to their -heart's content." - -"That will be fine, Miss Miller, and I'll help the girls find what I -need for a store," declared Edith, accepting the suggestion for the -deed. - -"Let's hurry then, as Edith will want us to collect every pebble on the -beach--I know her aspirations when a new game is mentioned," laughed -Elizabeth. - -"She isn't 'the only pebble on the beach' for that weakness," commented -Fred, looking at his elder sister. - -"Chump Mark for Fred--he used slang!" cried Elizabeth. - -But Zan was busy watching the Guide fill her glass jar with certain -pebbles, and the hint to bestow a Chump Mark was passed by. - -The jar filled, Miss Miller filled the remaining crevices with salt -water, then screwed the lid on the jar. - -"Now, look at this--isn't it pretty? Do you think a bottle of these -beautifully coloured and veined sea pebbles will elicit an interest if -sent to a sick friend or a bed-ridden child in a Home?" asked the Guide, -holding the jar at arm's length that all could see the varied hued -pebbles which were enhanced by the salt water. - -"Aren't they just lovely! But where under the sun did you ever hear of -these things, Miss Miller?" cried Jane. - -"I wish we had baskets to hold a bushel of these pebbles and we could -fill lots of wide-mouthed bottles from Dad's office to present to his -little patients at the Children's Hospital," said Zan. - -"We might fill the empty boxes we were going to burn up when we cleaned -up camp," suggested Hilda. - -"Boys, you run up to the camp and bring us the boxes while we collect -the prettiest stones we can find," said Zan, leading the way along the -beach. - -The boys did as ordered and, the tide running out fast by this time, the -girls soon found marvelously figured and coloured pebbles left on the -sand. - -"Now that we are at this collecting work I may as well add the secrets -of the shells. If you place various shapes and kinds of shells with the -pebbles the bottle will look even prettier than if filled with stones -alone," suggested Miss Miller. - -"Elena, do you see these deep white scallop shells? They make splendid -paint-cups for water-colours. I always use them in preference to china -dishes," said the Guide, turning to the artist. - -"Girls, let us gather as many as you think we will need this winter for -our art-work!" exclaimed Zan, and thereupon, the girls busied themselves -with the new diversion. - -"Here we are, Miss Miller, what shall we do with the boxes we were sent -for?" called Fiji, sliding down the steep incline of the sand-dune. - -"Oh--let the boys find the pebbles and fill the boxes for us while we -collect the shells," cried Jane, looking at the Guide for approval. - -"Do you boys wish to do that?" asked she. - -"Cert. Anything you say. We haven't a thing to do until church is over, -you know," laughed Jack. - -"Meaning this Sunday enjoyment? Well, it is a heap more fun than I would -have believed possible," declared Zan. - -"As long as the boys are doing that work I can show you girls some other -secrets," said Miss Miller, looking for deep large-sized clam shells -cleansed as only the sea can wash a shell. - -"This kind of shell make the nicest kind of ramekins for baked fish, or -tarts, and other small side-dishes. They also can be used for -bone-dishes or small side-plates when camping. - -"Now see these yellow opalescent shells? Well, they make pretty salt and -pepper dishes. Even for a city table, they are unique and artistic. I -have often grouped three in some glue on a round wooden disk and -decorated the wood with pyrography and then used the small sea-snail -shells to glue under the three centre pieces. It looked too pretty for -anything when completed and ready to send to a friend for a gift. - -"I also have made pin-cushions of two fitted scallop shells. The hollow -is filled with saw-dust, and a strip of satin or velvet covering the -slight aperture made by the opened shells is glued inside the shells. A -ribbon sewed to the hinge of the shell is used to hang the cushion on -the side of the dressing-table mirror." - -"Oh dear me, Miss Miller, wait a minute till we get time to take it all -in," laughed Elena, eager to note everything the Guide said. - -"Girls, let's collect the shells necessary for the things Miss Miller -explains about, and then we can have her teach us how to make the things -some day at the Gym," suggested Zan. - -"That's a good idea. Now, Miss Miller, what else do you know about shell -secrets?" added Jane. - -"I have made beautiful portires of these golden paper shells. Most of -them have a small hole in the end--see there? And some haven't the tiny -perforation--these I burn in with a red-hot hatpin so that each shell -may be threaded on a strong length of Japanese cord. This cord is finer -and stronger than any made in this country, and is used for -bead-curtains and reed portires. - -"After threading a shell you must tie the cord once in and out the hole -to keep the shell from slipping down and crowding the others that are -threaded on the same cord. - -"I have also trimmed decorative scarfs with this kind of shell fringe, -but fancy scarfs are not in vogue now as much as they used to be. - -"These two ideas will give you many other ideas where the shells can be -used. I should think Elena could suggest some new ways." - -"Oh, oh, _OH!_ Listen to me!" shouted Nita, jumping up and down -frantically, as she waved both arms about in her excitement. - -"Goodness sakes! I thought Nita stepped on a sea-serpent!" laughed the -Guide, turning to hear the great news. - -"Won't it be _perfectly grand_ to have a costume covered with these -sea-shells, and fringes of them hanging down from the skirt and sleeves, -so they will rattle when I dance? I will invent a sea-dance to go with -the costume. What about it, eh?" cried Nita. - -"Great! If we only had another day to stop here and collect the shells," -returned Jane. - -"Miss Miller, I bet anything, Nita could win an honour from Headquarters -for an ideal dance and costume like that!" said Zan. - -"Girls, you go on and get whatever you want for shell-work and just -leave that dress to me. I'll dig and pick all day till it's time to -start for home, but I'll have that shell dress or die!" promised Nita, -eagerly. - -"We may as well help Nita with her work as we can use any left-over -shells for our fancy work. I was only going to add, that work-boxes -hinged with a strip of glued muslin on one edge of the lid and decorated -with sea-shells glued on the outside, are very pretty gifts for friends. - -"I have also made lovely picture frames, and mirror frames of wood -covered with different kinds of shells. In fact, there are endless ways -of using these pretty little trifles cast up for us by the bountiful -sea." - -"While you talk, Miss Miller, we will collect, as the surf is leaving -more and more shells on the sand as the tide recedes," said Hilda, -eagerly picking up everything she saw. - -"O-oh! but it makes your back ache terribly! Mine is simply broken in -two and I can't stoop another time!" declared Eleanor. - -"Oh be a sport, Ella! Don't spoil everything by your whimperings," said -Zan, expressing disgust in her voice. - -"I just guess if you were as delicate as I am your bones would ache, -too!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Thank goodness I'm no hypochondriac!" snapped Zan. - -Eleanor was not sure what that word meant, so she hesitated to publish -her ignorance. She was quite sure, however, that it was Latin for some -illness known only to a doctor or his immediate family. The fact that -she could not reply made her more peevish, and she turned without -another word and walked back to camp. - -"Well I never! If she isn't the poorest kind of a Woodcrafter a Tribe -ever had the bad luck to have hang on to its wings!" exclaimed Zan, -watching the girl saunter away from her companions. - -The other girls tittered but the Guide said: "Oh she's coming on fine, -_I_ think!" - -"Miss Miller!" gasped several voices. - -"You don't believe me, do you? Wait and see!" rejoined the Guide. - -"Well, you always did have a gift for seeing 'swans where others only -saw geese,'" said Zan, whimsically. - -The boys now were heard shouting and the girls turned to see them making -signs. They said they were going to the camp and start dinner. The Guide -signalled that it would be all right as far as she was concerned, so the -girls kept on gathering shells until the call came for dinner. - -Before they reached the camp, however, they saw the boys standing on the -end of the promontory gazing through the glasses out at the Sound. When -they were near enough, they heard Fiji shout through a megaphone made -with his hands: - -"Hurry up! Comp'ny!" - -"Land's sake, who can it be?" cried Zan. - -Before they reached the cliff they could plainly see the white sails of -a boat that was heading straight for the site. - -"If that isn't Dad I'll eat these shells!" cried Elizabeth. - -"Spare enough for that costume of Nita's," laughed Jane. - -"She won't have to crack any teeth on that wager 'cause it is Mr. -Remington," now said Zan, as the sail-boat tacked ever nearer to the -crude pier off the point of land. - -To witness the reception accorded the visitor one would think Mr. -Remington was the long lost Robinson Crusoe. But the moment dinner was -over the boys began to tease for a sail in the boat. - -"We girls want to go, too," declared Elizabeth. - -"The only way I can pay the debt of hospitality is to take you in -installments. 'Ladies and children' first," laughed Mr. Remington. - -"All right, give the girls a little sail and then take us boys for a -trip to catch fish for supper. We ought to get a fine mess with a boat -like this," suggested Fiji. - -"That's only your excuse for a far longer sail than we can have," pouted -Jane. - -"Now it isn't at all, Jenny! But there isn't a crumb of anything but -dessert for supper, you know," said Jack, very ingratiatingly. - -"Miss Miller, I can testify to there being an abundance for another meal -to-day, as I left a hamper of good things to eat at the temporary -refrigerator you built near the camp-kitchen," laughed Mr. Remington, -motioning for the first installment of girls to get in the boat. - -The entire afternoon was given to sailing and watching the others sail, -as turn and turn about was taken. Then supper-time came, and before this -was over the automobiles sounded their horns as they came through the -woodland road to take the campers back to the city. - -"Do you know, it seems as if we have been at camp for a month--so much -has been crowded into these two days," declared Zan. - -"Same here," agreed the other Woodcrafters. - - - - -CHAPTER NINE--A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP - - -Early Monday morning a messenger boy brought May Randall's Woodcraft -chest to the gymnasium and handed Miss Miller a note. The letter was -type-written on plain paper so no clue was given to the sender or -writer. Just a few lines saying how sorry the writer was that the -disappearance of the box had caused the trouble it had. - -The note was not signed and many conjectures were made as to who could -possibly have sent it, or where the chest could have been all this time. -Even Eleanor seemed as anxious as any other girl to find out who sent -the note or took the box away only to return it. - -To every query as to who the culprit might be, Miss Miller shook her -head and maintained a strict silence. But she was greatly disappointed -in Eleanor, for she had no idea the girl could act the part of a -hypocrite as perfectly as she was doing in this case. - -That afternoon, when the other girls had gone to Zan's house to work on -the bead bands, Eleanor stopped in at the gymnasium to see Miss Miller. - -"Don't you think I carried it out well?" said she, as she sat in the -chair beside the Guide. - -"It all depends on what one considers 'well,'" replied Miss Miller, -earnestly. - -"I mean--I got away with the note and return of the box without anyone -dreaming who it was," explained Eleanor, evidently eager to have the -teacher commend her sagacity. - -"I am sorry you have such a short-sighted view of right and wrong. The -last deception you played is even worse than the first, for you were -informed of your mistake and ought to make full amends. As you have left -it now, every innocent boy or girl in school may be wrongly thought the -thief!" - -Miss Miller purposely used the hard term "thief" to try and rouse the -girl to a sense of her obligation. It seemed to bite in. - -"O-oh--Miss Miller!" gasped Eleanor. "No one can call a practical joke a -theft! You are dreadfully strict and unfair." - -"As I said before, there is only one thing left for you, in honour -bound, to do. And that is to tell May all about the trick--as you name -it--and let her tell the other girls if she likes," replied Miss Miller. - -"I just guess not! I'm not so stuck on this silly old Band as to obey -your fanatical advice. I'll get out of Woodcraft first!" snipped -Eleanor, as she got up and hurriedly left the room. - -The Guide, left alone, sighed and dropped her head upon her arms that -were resting on the desk. - -"I am not so sure but someone else will do better in my place as Guide. -The other girls are so good and lovable that I can work wonders with -them, but it was not the lambs _in_ the fold that our Saviour sought to -save--they were perfectly safe already. It was the disobedient, -wandering lamb on the mountain-steeps. And He saved it. This lamb seems -beyond my call or power to reach." - -Then suddenly came the brightening flash of Nita and the wonderful -reformation worked in the girl when all seemed lost. And the temporarily -discouraged Guide stood up and smiled. - -"I'll do my part. And Father Spirit, lend me all aid!" - -During that week, plans were made for another camp to be enjoyed from -Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. This time the girls decided to climb -the Orange Mountains to seek an inland site. For this outing, the Guide -had asked the girls to write up short essays or comments on various -subjects that would be of interest to an out-door student. - -One request was for facts on forestry movements. Another required the -girl to find something interesting about the fishing industry. Another -mentioned items on agriculture, and still others spoke of news on -manufactures, music, art, flowers, and Nature crafts. - -The work necessary to find the facts to these questions kept the girls -well occupied during the evenings of that week, as they had to seek in -the public library as well as in magazines, papers, and encyclopedias at -home. - -After all the hard work and eager preparations, when all were ready to -start that Friday afternoon, the Woodcrafters were doomed to deep -disappointment. It began to drizzle shortly after school opened in the -morning and the weather grew constantly worse until the rain was pouring -by recess time. By noon the out-of-doors proved a veritable "wet -blanket" on the spirits of the Woodcrafters and they gathered -disconsolately in the gymnasium at three o'clock, wishing they lived in -Egypt at the dry season of the year. - -Even as Hilda tried in vain to console the others that perhaps the rain -would clear off before evening so they could start early Saturday -morning, the telephone bell rang. Miss Miller took up the receiver and -answered the call. - -"Yes, this is Miss Miller. - -"They are here now, bemoaning the Fates that sent the rain to spoil -their week-end camp," said the Guide, to someone's query on the other -end of the wire. - -The girls perked up their ears when they heard it related to their camp -hopes. - -"Oh, oh! How splendid! How good of you to bother!" the Guide beamed -delightedly into the receiver. - -"Will we care to come! Oh Mrs. Remington wait till I tell the girls so -you can hear the Babel of sound that will crack the telephone -instrument," laughed Miss Miller, holding the instrument away from her -face as she turned to address the Band. - -"Mrs. Remington fears it will rain all night and to-morrow, and knowing -of your plans for a mountain camp, she is as sorry as we are about the -weather. But she offers us the use of the Council House at Mossy Crest -for the camp. It is the great barn turned into one large room and all -laid out for Woodcraft Councils. When Mr. Remington built the new barn -and garage, he had this one renovated. A splendid floor for dancing and -games is laid on top of the other heavy oak floor and the side-walls are -all covered with burlap and decorated--but wait till you see it for -yourself." - -The shout that rose in acceptance of the camp offer was distinctly heard -by Mrs. Remington who laughed to herself. Miss Miller turned to accept -the invitation when Zan cried: - -"Tell her it is a heavenly refuge from the storm!" - -The other girls laughed and Jane added: "Sort of 'any harbour for a -wreck!'" - -"Oh won't we have a glorious time practising new steps. Besides, girls, -I invented a sea-shell dance that's perfectly adorable," cried Nita, -glad of the camp with a good dancing floor. - -"When can we start?" asked practical Hilda. - -"As soon as you like--I am waiting for the word," replied the Guide. - -"We can't walk--I'd better call up Jim on this 'phone and see if he can -come over," said Zan. - -"And call up Mom too, Zan, and have her send over our machine. I guess -we can all crowd in the two as there won't be any tents or equipment to -cart," added Jane. - -After a short period of waiting that seemed to the impatient -Woodcrafters like an age, the cars came to the school and the girls -hurried out regardless of the pouring rain. At Mossy Crest the -Remingtons, from the Lady of the Place down to little Teddy, stood in a -row inside the great barn doors ready to welcome the visitors. - -"I'm tickled to pieces to have you girls spend the week-end with us," -called Elizabeth, the moment the two autos brought the visitors within -hearing. - -"And I can show you girls a lot more in Woodcraft right here where I -have my equipment than at a mountain camp," added Mrs. Remington. - -So before four o'clock, the Band discovered the rain to be a blessing in -disguise for they found the Council House everything that an -enthusiastic Woodcrafter could want. - -"But the disguise is rather damp, just the same," added Zan, when Jane -mentioned the blessing. - -"Not indoors," retorted Elizabeth. "We had Alfred help the boys bring -the curtains and cots from the hay-loft where we store all camp outfits -when not in use. That great trap-door opens on a pulley so we can hoist -things up and down without much labour. Now come and see your bed-rooms -for the visit." - -The delighted girls trooped after their young hostess while she pointed -out the manner in which Mrs. Remington had fitted up the House. Down one -side of the large room, a row of 2 x 4 posts had been erected and upon -these were firmly fastened the poles that held the white muslin -curtains. The space thus divided from the main room was partitioned by -similar curtains hung on shorter poles, making small rooms about 8 x 10 -feet. In each room stood a single cot and a small wash-stand bureau with -a tiny mirror over it. A simple canvas camp-chair completed the -furnishing of each space in this dormitory. - -When there were no occupants for the rooms, the entire outfit was taken -down and stored in the loft overhead. A wide cobble-stone chimney had -been constructed in one corner of the building for beauty, comfort, and -utility. It was equipped with a crane and pot-hanger so cooking could be -done over the open fire on the hearth. - -"Isn't this just scrumptious?" cried Nita, pivoting on her toes on the -smooth floor. - -"I'll test the cots and tell you if I agree with you," laughed Jane, who -dearly loved to sleep late in the morning. - -That supper was a jolly affair, for not only Elizabeth and the two -younger children attended the camp-meal, bringing their share of the -provender with them, but later on Mr. and Mrs. Remington, and lastly, -Fred came in, carrying donations in exchange for an invitation to dine. - -"Mother ought to give the servants a night off!" laughed Fred. - -"All we need to have a regular Grand Council are the Baker and Hubert -boys with us," declared Mrs. Remington. - -"Never too late to repent!" said Fred; then other subjects crowded the -idea out of thought of the other members but was remembered the next day -when Fred showed results of the suggestion. - -Tin platters and cups, and aluminium cutlery, were always kept in the -Council House, and these made a great rat-a-tat as the hungry Band cut -or scooped and rattled on the plates. - -Supper over, Mr. Remington called Fred to roll out the Grand Circle -furniture from the harness room which had been converted into a property -room. Soon the huge logs decorated in true Woodcraft style, and a large -grass rug woven by the Black Bear Tribe and presented to this Council -House, were placed in the centre of the great space, and the girls of -Wako Tribe with their guests, assembled for an enjoyable evening. - -"You have some artistic totems, Mrs. Remington," said Elena, looking -about at the unique and decorative emblems belonging to many Tribes -started successfully by the lady. - -"Yes, and I am very proud of them. They stand for Tribes of girls and -boys who are filling their niche in the Scheme of Things." - -"My personal Totem painted and presented to Mrs. Remington's Council -House is largest and most practical of all--see who can pick it out from -the others," laughed Mr. Remington. - -"Now Fred, you know that isn't fair to these girls. How would anyone -know that your totem--so-called by you--is painted on the canvas walls? -My dears, Mr. Remington is such an ardent disciple of Woodcraft that he -needs must cover at least fifty feet of material with his totem," said -Mrs. Remington. - -It was not difficult after this direct lead to select the burlap -wall-covering which was painted to imitate forest trees somewhat like -Elena's screen, as the totem mentioned by the host. This neutral -back-ground furnished an excellent contrast for the gay blankets, rush -mats, birch-bark articles, and other items that are made and decorated -by Woodcrafters during their meetings. - -When all signs of supper had been cleared away (and "many hands make -light work," you know) the usual Council ceremony was performed. This -over, Zan stood up and said: - -"Are there any suggestions for the evening's entertainment?" - -"O Chief!" replied Miss Miller, standing, "I suggest that we read the -essays prepared for this week-end." - -"We-ell, I suppose we _might_ unburden our souls of that much trouble," -remarked Zan, slowly, causing a laugh at her words. - -"Of course--I mean, O Chief! Of course, as it may clear off by morning -and then we can be out-doors. We won't care to sit hearing lectures or -reading them to others when the calls of Nature entice us," added Jane. - -"Ha! it seemeth that Jane groweth poetical!" teased Zan. - -"O Chief! Who wouldn't feel that way with the music of the floods -echoing on this tin roof?" retorted Jane. - -Another laugh at Zan's expense put everyone in a merry mood, but Miss -Miller meant business and not frivolity, so she asked the girls if the -papers were all ready to read. - -Most of the members signified that the papers were on hand to read, so -the Chief called upon Hilda, as she was the first one at her right. - -"My query was to find some interesting forestry news. I sought and -finally found what I wanted in a weekly periodical called 'The Sentinel' -and published at Boston. I learned that the forest fires of 1916 caused -a loss of more than $9,000,000.--six times as much as has been spent in -forest protection work. And what is so lamentable is that these fires -could all have been prevented--they were the results of rank -carelessness. - -"In British Columbia, on account of the forest efficiency service, the -number of fires last year were only half the number of those of the -preceding year. - -"The tree seedlings and uncut timber are usually destroyed or greatly -damaged by these forest fires. A most important part of forest work is -to dispose of the lumbering slash which makes a very hot fire when once -started. This slash must be collected and disposed of as soon as -possible after the lumber operations are finished. Lumber companies are -urged to cooperate with the forest service in the protection of our -valuable timber tracts. - -"Last year, about 40,000 forest fires occurred in the United States and -burned over 5,900,000 acres, causing irretrievable losses. - -"The forest products from Finland constitute 70% of its total exports, -and the income from this branch of trade amounts to about $96,500,000. -annually. - -"During 1916 the United States Forest Commission constructed 227 miles -of new roads through national forests, 1975 miles of trails, 2225 miles -of telephone lines, 89 miles of fire lines, 81 lookout towers, 40 -bridges, 222 miles of fencing, 545 dwellings, barns, and other -structures, 17 corrals, and 202 water improvements." - -As Hilda concluded and sat down, the audience expressed amazement at the -gigantic losses to beautiful forest districts of this country, and Mr. -Remington stood up to speak. - -"O Chief, I think this is the right time to warn every Woodcrafter -present to be careful and impress upon friends to use the utmost care in -helping the forest fire commissioners. We can do this by never leaving a -spark of live fire from our camp-fires, by not throwing waste paper or -other inflammable trash about that others may, through carelessness, set -fire to, and not to _smoke_ in a forest where dry leaves and tinder -ignite very quickly." - -"How! How!" approved the Woodcrafters as Mr. Remington sat down. - -"The next reader on my list is Nita," announced Zan. - -"Miss Miller gave me a paper about fish. Why this should fall to my lot, -goodness only knows. I hate fish for food, and simply can't bear the -smell of them. But I discovered some interesting facts about them, -nevertheless. - -"First I found that Alaska shipped 4,916,000 cases of salmon to the -United States trade and the value of this shipment was over $23,800,000. - -"Then I read that an attempt is being made to establish lobster beds on -the Pacific Coast. Recently over 5400 crustaceans were shipped from -Maine to Washington. - -"Also, salmon worth $250,000. at the great canneries of the Northwest -States left Seattle, Washington, for the New York markets. There were -fifty trains packed full of cases holding cans of salmon. - -"I learned that two great fish banks abounding in millions of sea bass -have been discovered off Cape Fear bar on the North Carolina coast. One -bank is more than three and a half miles wide and two and a half miles -long. - -"The Bureau of Fisheries report over $6,000,000. worth of fish brought -into New England ports during the year of 1916. The fishing fleets of -Gloucester, Boston, and Portland total about 512 steamers and sailing -vessels. - -"At Boston alone the 3039 trips made by its vessels land annually over -98,500,000 pounds of fish valued at $2,159,895. At Portland the catch -weighed about 20,800,000 pounds and was worth about $550,000. At -Gloucester, the men caught about 66,500,000 pounds in 2864 trips and it -was valued at $2,150,000. - -"Besides our local fishing ports, the United States Bureau sent 450 -black bass, 500 rock bass, 1000 catfish, and 800 sunfish to Gatun Lake -in the Canal Zone. They wish to experiment with the fish breeding in -these southern waters to supply the demand of people living in that -zone. The lake covers an area of 164 miles and offers an ideal place for -fish, as it has many islands, shallow sandy shores, and deep and rocky -banks, so that almost any fish-mother and house-keeper ought to be -satisfied with conditions there." - -As Nita finished reading, Mrs. Remington stood up and said: "O Chief! I -think this plan of educational entertainment fine! Not only am I hearing -news items of moment to every good citizen but you girls are being -trained in composing essays worth while. I will, with permission of Wako -Tribe, try this idea with my own girls." - -"How!" responded the girls, and Miss Miller smiled with gratification at -the compliment paid her girls and herself. - -"It's Jane's turn now," said Zan, turning to the next reader. - -"You gave me a poser, Miss Miller, as I couldn't say much about animal -life that Woodcrafters did not know already. But I found that over -$30,000,000 is invested in the black fox industry at Prince Edward -Island, Canada. Insurance on these valuable animals runs as high as -$1500 on a single skin. The fox farms are of recent origin and every -successful scientific method is applied to the rearing and care of the -foxes so that perfect and valuable furs will result. - -"In St. Louis, Mo., a sale of undressed furs opened recently and more -than 1,599,000 skins were sold at a valuation of $2,000,000. - -"Then, I find that five big game reserves and sixty-seven bird -reservations are maintained by the Biological Department of the United -States Department of Agriculture. Among them are the Montana Bison -Range, the Wind Game Preserves of South Dakota, the Elk Refuge in -Wyoming, and the Niobrara Reservation which was intended for birds but -has been stocked with buffalo and elk for the present. - -"In 1892 the United States Government used its influence to establish a -reindeer breeding industry in Alaska. In that year a herd was imported -from Siberia and for ten consecutive years an annual importation -continued from that country. In that time 1200 reindeer were brought to -Alaska and now 70,000 deer graze the plains and valleys from Nome to the -Aleutian Islands. Natives own about 46,000 of these deer; and in the -public schools and other classes the Indians are taught to judge deer, -to train them for sledge-work, and to care for and breed them -successfully." - -"This is most interesting. Had anyone asked me offhand, if Alaska used -reindeer for practical use I would have answered 'No, of course not, you -have to go to Greenland and Siberia for them,'" said Fred Remington. - -"Elena, your turn next," said Zan, as Fred sat down. - -"I was given the paper about play-grounds or parks," explained Elena, -opening her paper to read. "In Spain, all exceptionally picturesque or -historical regions, forests, lands, or buildings, that the state may -select, will be used for national parks. The natural beauty of the land, -the fauna and flora, as well as the geological and water features of -these parks, will be protected and provide suitable places of interest -for everyone. The reigning king, finding that many natural fauna were -disappearing from Spain, began this movement which will prove to be a -good precedent for other countries to follow before it is too late. - -"In our United States, over 1,500,000 people use the National -Playgrounds each year, provided by the Government for the public. The -present policy of the American Forestry Association is to secure such -disposition of public lands as will afford a maximum benefit and joy to -the people. - -"National Parks in Hawaii are a recent improvement. They cover 75,000 -acres and include the crater areas and natural wonders of the three -great Hawaiian volcanoes, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Haleakala. The latter, -less familiarly known than the other two, has a crater 2000 feet deep -and offers the greatest volcanic spectacle this side of the moon." - -As Elena finished reading Zan turned and asked Anne Mason to read her -paper. - -"I was given the subject 'New and Interesting Manufactures Pertaining to -Forest Products.' And most interesting it proved to be. - -"The manufacture of fuel alcohol from pine sawdust is a new industry in -connection with the sawmills in Texas and Louisiana. At Fullerton, La., -a plant costing more than $750,000. is turning out more than 5,000 -gallons of fuel alcohol a day. - -"Also, more than twenty thousand tons of wood-flour valued at $300,000. -are annually used in the United States for the manufacture of dynamite -and for inlaid linoleum. It is also used for making composition -flooring, oat-meal wall paper, and other things. In the past, the great -sawmills of the United States used half of this waste for fuel in their -furnaces and the other half was burned as refuse and discard. Now, -however, the huge waste product has found a way to be practically used -instead of being burned. - -"In the manufacture of linoleum the wood-flour is mixed with a cementing -material, spread out on burlap, and rolled to form an even thickness. -The cement is the item that makes linoleum so expensive. Cork linoleum -is cheaper as it uses less cement. Wood-flour linoleum is light-coloured -while cork linoleum is always a dark brown and is slightly more elastic -than that of wood-flour, but the wearing qualities are about the same. - -"Wood-pulp can be made from many kinds of wood heretofore unused for -this purpose. Samples of more than seventy kinds of paper made from -wood-pulp have proven to be satisfactory. The cost of spruce-wood-pulp -has increased in recent years with the scarcity of spruce, but now -news-paper stock can be kept at the same price as in former years if the -paper made from other woods proves to be acceptable to the printer. The -tests showed that eleven new woods could be used for manufacturing -manila paper and cardboards. But these woods are mostly grown in the -West while the large plants for manufacturing products from wood-pulp -are in the East. Some change of location must take place to deduct the -cost of transportation of the raw wood to the mills, as this will prove -to be a most important item in the cost to the consumer. - -"There are over 30,000 sawmills in this country and the Forest Service -is compiling a report as to the manufactures of each mill: the wood -mostly used, the number of laths and shingles made, and the quantity of -lumber turned out annually. - -"That's all I could collect in the short time allotted," said Anne, -sitting down. - -"It is more than I dreamed anyone could find to prove so interesting. I -like this stunt--don't you girls?" commented Zan. - -"How! How!" came the answer. - -"Now May, what did you find for us?" said the Chief. - -"I sought for items of interest about our waterways. I found that one of -the greatest reservoirs and water regulating projects in New York State -is the construction of two dams, one at Conklingville on the Sacandaga -River, and the other at Tumblehead Falls on the Schroon River in the -Adirondacks. The plan is to control the flow of the upper Hudson River -so that the plants using water power shall have a steadier flow all -Summer. The reservoir at Conklingville will be about 30 miles long and 5 -miles wide. In the Schroon River it will be about 15 miles long and -about 2 miles wide. - -"In the Pend Oreille River, about 25 miles north of Spokane, Washington, -a dam 375 feet higher than the bed of the river is constructed. It has -an extreme length of 250 feet at the crest and will be 25 feet higher -than the Arrow Rock Dam which was the highest in the world. The only -site where this dam could be built was in a caon where the river runs -100 feet deep at low water and over 150 feet deep in flood-times." - -May sat down and Mildred was called upon to read. - -"I wasn't quite sure of what I was supposed to do, so I collected a few -short notes--but I can do better next time, Miss--O Chief!" explained -Mildred. - - -[Illustration: _A RACE, WHILE "WAKO" SAT ON THE FENCE._] - - -"I had 'crops' so I found that peanuts are the chief agricultural wealth -of Madras, India. In 1916 there were over 1,700,000 acres planted and -the yield of peanuts was estimated at about 600,000 tons. This last year -the peanut crops from every country where they are grown are said to be -double the harvest of any previous year." - -"Ha! That's good news, for I love the plebeian nut!" laughed Zan, as -Mildred sat down. - -"Who's next to read?" continued the Chief, glancing at her list. - -"I wrote up a paper about fruit, O Chief!" said Frances, now standing. - -"Good! Let's hear it." - -"The strawberry crops of 1916 were worth over $20,000,000 to the -growers. This was considered a record breaker but the crops of 1917 -exceeded those of the previous year about a third. - -"The total fruit crops of this country amount to about $250,000,000 -value annually and the 1917 products are said to be the heaviest yield -for many years past. The census for canning and drying fruits and -vegetables was taken from 3199 establishments in 1914 and the products -were valued at $158,000,000. If such an enormous sum was invested in -this work in 1914 we may well consider the tremendous wealth of the -products of 1917, with such wonderful yield of crops and with everyone -eager to preserve the bounty of fruit and vegetables given us by Nature. - -"One of Portugal's exports is dried figs. Since the markets of Germany -and Russia have been closed by the war, the largest trade held by the -Portuguese is suspended. The only good market still open for these figs -is the United States. Last year Portugal shipped over 10,500,000 pounds, -valued at $400,000, to this country. - -"The cocoanut industry promises to become one of Panama's main sources -of trade. Cocoanut trees ought to be planted about 70 to the acre and -when these mature, as they do in about five years' time, they bring -forth about 100 cocoanuts to a tree every year. They bear fruit actively -for more than twenty years, thus proving a good investment to the -planter." - -This reading was applauded by the audience and then Zan asked if Eleanor -had complied with the request to write up some item. - -"I have one but it really is not worth reading as my slip of paper asked -for an article not half so interesting as the other girls had," replied -Eleanor, with an unpleasant manner. - -"In June, 1916, school children in all sections of Cincinnati, Ohio, -were started on little gardens where flowers and vegetables, or small -fruits were raised. The plan finally launched the window-gardens which -have made such a great improvement in the appearance of the city -streets. The beauty of the floral boxes so impressed the city -authorities that they agreed to offer seeds free to any citizen who -would plant and care for the flowers. This idea is now spreading to -other large cities and people are encouraged to have flower boxes in -their windows. When will our eastern cities take a forward step like -this?" - -As Eleanor sat down, Mrs. Remington said: "I wish our League would take -up this movement for New York and adjoining large cities. An -organization can do much more than a few individuals." - -"My dear, make a note of this and let us suggest it at the next National -Council," added Mr. Remington. - -"O Chief!" said Elizabeth, standing, "I am not a member of your Band but -I can add a mite to the general reports. I can say that Japan exports to -the United States every year over $1,500,000. worth of Battenburg and -Renaissance work--doilies, covers, and scarfs. Thousands of Japanese -girls do this work at home during their spare hours." - -"How!" cried the girls as their visitor finished her report. - -"Have we anyone else to contribute?" asked the Chief. - -Fred then stood up and cleared his throat--a habit he had when he felt -the least bit embarrassed. - -"I might add that Instructors from the Agricultural College of the -United States gave the Indians new insight into modern farming methods. - -"The first course for Indian Farmers in Wisconsin was held at Kashena, -on the Menominee Reservation, and was attended by scores of Tribes-men." - -"O Chief, I can tell you something, too," cried Billy, as his big -brother sat down. "A treaty between Great Britain and the United States -for the protection of insectivorous birds on both sides of the Canadian -border was negotiated in 1916." - -"Who hasn't read a paper?" asked Zan, looking around. - -"You haven't!" retorted Jane. - -"I know, but I am reserving mine for the last as it is so superlative I -knew the rest of you would feel too discouraged after hearing mine to -read what you had written, so that the meeting would lose many reports," -explained Zan, mysteriously. - -"Then I make a motion that the Chief be asked to make that boast good!" -cried Elizabeth. - -Amid laughter, the motion was loudly seconded and carried, and Zan -waited for the uproar to quiet down before she said: - -"You won't feel so jubilant when you hear the lesson I have ready for -you who persist in a great waste of physical energy. My article was -culled from the pages of 'The Guide to Nature' which is a good magazine -for Woodcrafters published by the Agassiz Association. They found this -article in one of our leading magazines and considered it interesting -enough to reprint." - -Then Zan read a paper she had written in her own amusing style, the main -points of which she had read in the periodical mentioned. - -"In June, 1916, an unusual but tremendously significant fiftieth -anniversary of the chewing gum was ushered in--but not with laurels or -pans of praise did this gummy little product celebrate. In fact, very -few of its enthusiastic masticators knew a thing of this birthday, until -it was mentioned in the papers. - -"Just think of it! Fifty years of chewing on something that never -satisfies but always attracts more and more--like a nightmare where -money lies scattered everywhere but vanishes when an eager hand tries to -grasp it. - -"We have had all kinds of trouble with Mexico in recent times, but -never, no matter what we do or what they do, can the public of the -United States ever properly reward Mexico for introducing the greatest -boon known to base-ball fans, movie fanatics, and commuters--to say -nothing of the miscellany and Woodcraft folks! - -"It was on a certain occasion when General Santa Anna of Mexico was -calling on a friend at Snug Harbour, Staten Island, that Thomas Adams -also called upon the same friend. While the three talked the General -took a chunk of something resembling a solid bit of over-shoe from his -pocket and cut off a small piece. He placed it in his mouth and began -chewing. Then he offered some to his companions. - -"Mr. Adams looked it over dubiously and said: 'Will you please tell me -where you found it?' - -"Then the General explained that it was the gum of the zapote tree, -better known as 'chicle.' Mr. Adams was a brave man, so he experimented. -As he chewed he evolved a brilliant idea and he asked the General for a -goodly sized piece of the gum. He took it home to see if it could not be -vulcanized for a patented rubber to be used as a basis of artificial -teeth. - -"But the tests proved hopeless for false teeth, as the chicle was too -conscientious to lend itself to any falsity, knowing well that it was -meant for a far greater blessing than to hold porcelain molars in place. -It felt in its soul that it could entertain a great and mighty nation in -its elasticity _between_ the jaws but never to become a part of a jaw. - -"So in a huff, the chemist who was experimenting for Mr. Adams got up -and snapped out: 'The stuff isn't worth a darn for anything but just -chewing!' - -"Now Mr. Adams was a right clever Yankee so he suddenly felt inspired to -try out this curse on the gullible American public, for he felt much as -Barnum did, when he made his speech which will go down in history. - -"So he and his son raised a capital of thirty-five dollars and began the -manufacture of the greatest sorrow-quencher, intensest joy-maker, most -fascinating jaw-acher, and effervescing hunger-stabiliser the world ever -knew. - -"In those pioneer days of chicle, there was no flavouring to lend -enchantment to the gum, and it was chewing for the sake of chewing. -However, once the children found out what a source of annoyance this -chewing gum proved to be to teachers, guardians, and parents, its -success was assured, for let the juvenile American public decide -favourably upon a thing and other verdicts can condemn in vain. Later, -when all protests were futile, the elders had to take to chewing in -sheer self-defence. - -"To such vast proportions has this habit grown that at the present day -the energy used in chewing gum is sufficient to propel a ferry-boat from -New York Harbour to Hong Kong, China. In electrical terms a current -powerful enough to lift 43,305,505 tons 34,000 miles per minutes per -second per kilowatt hour. - -"But to offset these stupendous figures in this loss of jaw-power one -must stop to think of the good chicle has brought to the American -public. - -"It has been the means of having all cars and other transportation -service hang signs in conspicuous places warning the passengers to -conform to the City Health Laws--hence the floors of public places have -been neater and cleaner than ever before. - -"It has been the means of furnishing suitable slot-machines at every -corner, in every popular store, and at every post in railway stations of -every description. These boxes must needs attract the people for the -gum, so they were equipped with mirror fronts to enable the ever-neat -but not gaudy passengers to see that their hats were on straight, that -tips of noses were properly powdered, that neckties were tied in the -latest knot, or that Kaiser moustaches were twisted up at the correct -angle--free from any thoughts of vanity, of course. While viewing these -important details of toilettes folks naturally read the signs assuring -them of the life-giving, harmony-creating, beauty-producing chicle. - -"Now friends, the answer is: Drop one cent in the slot, take the minute -package that shoots out into the pan, start chewing on the fragrant -chicle, and sit in a subway car opposite other masticating engines, and -you will see other hapless passengers run from the car at the next -station and secure a similar package to that your cent brought forth. -Such is the power of suggestion on a subway. The vaccination always -takes!" - -As Zan read, the audience had tittered, but when she concluded and sat -down the younger contingent laughed outright and "How'ed!" Then Miss -Miller stood up. - -"O Chief, I am not sure whether that essay deserves a _coup_ or a Chump -Mark." - -Mr. Remington then jumped up. "It sounded as if our esteemed Chief was -hired by the chicle company as a salesman or demonstrator of their -products!" - -"O Chief!" added Mrs. Remington. "I vote that the writer be awarded an -honour as it is interesting and instructive to learn how great and -universal has the pernicious habit of gum-chewing grown in this -thoughtless age. Perhaps a few more notices like this will rouse the -people to consider the final results of indulging in weakening and -disgusting habits like continual chewing." - -"I'll consider the last speaker's sensible remark," said Mr. Remington, -rising from the log seat. "But I need to retire to weigh the case -impartially." - -"You're not going away, are you?" cried Billy, as his father walked from -the circle. - -"It's long past bed-time and Baby is nodding," explained Mrs. Remington. - -The Guide looked at her wrist watch and then exclaimed: "Goodness me! It -is past eleven o'clock'." - -"The parting song and then we say good-night," said Zan, and the -Woodcrafters all stood to join in the Indian hymn. - -The next morning found the indoor campers as eager for fun as youngsters -ever are, and seeing that the weather was still threatening rain but was -not actually fulfilling its threat, made the Band declare for some -out-door sport without delay. - -While the breakfast dishes were being washed and the room put in order, -voices were heard on the way from the garage. In a few minutes, the -Baker boys, and Jack, with the Remington boys, peeped in at the double -doors. - -"Hello there! Fred Remington invited us over for a hike. Didn't think -you girls would be here, as you were sure of going to Orange Mountain," -said Fiji. - -"Pooh, I know _you_, Fiji Baker! You never thought of a hike until you -heard from Dad that _we_ were here. I bet anything you called up Fred -Remington first and asked him to invite you over!" declared Zan, nodding -wisely. - -"Well, I don't know that it matters much who is right--but it remains a -fact that now we're here we may as well entertain you girls," said Jack -Hubert. - -Instantly every girl was up in arms and what might have transpired is -not known, for the ever watchful Guide comprehended, and said joyfully: - -"Oh how fine! Then you boys will show us how to play 'Hunt the Deer' or -'Bear Hunting.'" - -"I'll run to the house for the bear and spears. Meantime, you can warm -up by having some races," said Fred Remington. - -Fred whispered to Fiji and ran away, and immediately afterward the boys -led the way to the back-road that ran to the pasture. Here they had -running races, jumping and throwing contests, and many other tests -between the girls and boys, until Fred returned with a noticeably new -burlap bear, and wooden spears. - -The rest of the forenoon was enjoyed by having exciting Woodcraft games -of hunting and spearing--both games that tested the surety of the arm -and eye. - -The sun came through heavy clouds during the afternoon and the girls -enjoyed a hike through the woods and fields. Many an item was found that -day to add to the collection of flowers and trees and birds for the new -members' lists. - -Late Sunday evening, as all were ready to depart from the Council House, -it was agreed that never had an indoor camp been so appreciated as this -one by the girls of Wako Tribe. - - - - -CHAPTER TEN--IN FALLING LEAF MOON - - -That week a Council was held to decide upon the merits of the new -members. As each was called upon to answer various questions, the -replies were perfectly satisfactory until it came Eleanor's turn. The -report on her month of probation was not very encouraging to the five -founders of the Tribe. - -"What's the matter, Eleanor--you've had the same time and privileges as -the others?" asked Zan, impatiently. - -"Oh, I don't know as I care to join this crowd. It is always some silly -deference to you as Chief. If Miss Miller was the one we had to ask -permission of before we could speak to the others I wouldn't mind, -'cause she is older and is a teacher, too. But I refuse to kow-tow to -you!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Humph! Guess you got out of bed with your left foot foremost, this -morning," complained Jane. - -"If she don't want to conform to our Tribe laws she can do the other -thing! I have no intention of harbouring mutiny in the circle," added -Zan, angrily. - -"No one asked you to! If the other snobbish girls want to be walked over -just because your father has a car in which they can take a ride now and -then, it's none of my affair. _I_ for one will not act the hypocrite for -the sake of an automobile drive!" snapped Eleanor. - -"Hypocrite! Good gracious! You're the biggest----" - -What it was was not heard, for Miss Miller entered and, frowning, -remarked: "Ladies! Ladies! are we Woodcrafters or are we irresponsible -tramps with no education or refinement!" - -Everyone flushed and looked uncomfortable but Eleanor shrugged her -shoulders and walked out without a word to anyone. - -"Let her go--I only hope it's for good!" grumbled Zan. - -"I am sorry this incident has occurred just now as I brought with me a -letter addressed to the Tribe to be read at this meeting," said the -Guide. - -Not a sound was heard and the teacher continued: - -"The other school girls have heard of the good times and Nature studies -you are having and many of them wish to join you. Of course there can be -but ten more girls added to this Tribe but many of those not selected -can start another Tribe. - -"It seems that Eleanor Wilson has been talking of leaving this Band and -the girls told her how foolish she was when it was going to do her so -much good. But that is just what made the girl still more obstinate. Now -matters have come to a crisis here, for this scene means Eleanor must -stay or go--which shall it be? I know certain unpleasant incidents in -connection with Eleanor's behaviour that would prejudice me against her -did I not know that the girl is in dire need of the training Woodcraft -can give her. What say you?" - -Put up to the girls in this way caused each one to think seriously and -refrain from condemnation. Then the Chief said: "We were speaking of -these things with Mrs. Remington the other day, and she advised us to go -slow and not act in a way that we might regret later." - -"Miss Miller, maybe if we each took this case as a personal matter and -judged Eleanor as if she was our own sister, we might feel more lenient -and patient with her short-comings," said May Randall. - -Miss Miller was pleasantly surprised to hear a new member express such -sentiments, and she nodded approvingly. "I am glad to hear this--shall -we vote to give Eleanor another trial?" - -"O Chief! Let me say a word before any girl votes on a matter that they -may not feel quite satisfied with but will do as the others wish them to -do," said Nita, jumping up and flushing. - -"Proceed." - -"If the new members knew of the trouble at Wickeecheokee this past -Summer and what a change has been wrought in me! Some of you knew me -before this Summer and some did not. But let me say, that this case of -Eleanor Wilson's seems much the same in a different dress, and if I have -seen the truth and been helped to a different plane of life cannot -Eleanor do the same? She needs us." - -Nita's earnest voice finished speaking and the girls realised she had -been pleading for the future of a girl's life. The Guide found it -necessary to turn away her face to pretend to look for a paper in her -desk--in reality to dry the sudden moisture in her eyes caused by Nita's -heartfelt words. - -"O Chief! I make a motion that Eleanor be given a patient trial just as -we would do if a girl was sick," said Elena. - -The motion was seconded by Zan, and carried unanimously. - -"Now girls, let us write a letter to the new applicants and let them -know that they may look forward to joining a second Band in November, -and then we will send a short note to Eleanor to tell her how sorry we -were that she did not remain to vote with us," said Zan. - -As impulsive Zan, proud Jane, superficial Nita, and indolent Elena of -last Summer's experiences showed such wonderful improvement for better -and nobler things, Miss Miller felt that the efforts and time spent -about "Her Father's Business" were beginning to bear fruit abundantly. - -That week the Band met two evenings for social and Tribal affairs. The -first meeting was held at Zan's house and the second one at Jane -Hubert's. Both of these places offered ample space for the Indian songs -and dances enjoyed by Woodcrafters, so they were usually selected in -preference to the small rooms of modern apartment houses such as the -ones where Elena, Hilda, and some of the new members lived. At Dr. -Baker's house, the girls were discussing the limited music given by the -tomtom. As the complaints were finished Miss Miller addressed the girls. - -"I find some of our sweetest songs need a greater depth of harmony than -is possible to bring out of hide, so I will suggest a simple instrument -that was much in vogue in ancient days. To-day we hear little of it. Who -present can play on glass?" - -No one could and several voices expressed amazement. - - -"Zan, can you bring me eight thin glass finger bowls? If you haven't -them, just tumblers will do, but the bowls offer a better surface. I -will also want a jug of water and your moist colours," said Miss Miller. - -Zan brought the required articles and Miss Miller placed the eight bowls -in a row on the table. Then she placed a dab of water-colour in each of -seven bowls, leaving one natural water. Next she poured water into the -bowls--different quantities for the different notes. The first bowl was -almost full of water and that had no colour in it. The second bowl had -not as much water and was coloured red. The third bowl held still less -water which was blue. The fourth with still less water was coloured -yellow. The fifth was green and that was half full. The sixth was less -than half full and was tinged purple. The seventh held a quarter of a -bowl full and was orange. The eighth and last held but little water and -was tinted black. The colours were stirred from the bottom so that all -the paint was well dissolved. - -"Now girls, the bowl holding the clear water, having more in it than the -others, will give us the highest note, and so on down the scale until we -reach the lowest note which holds least water in the bowl. - -"By placing the highest note and fullest bowl at my right hand and so on -until the lowest note is at my extreme left, I can play the scale just -as if I was playing on a piano." - -Miss Miller carefully moistened her fingers in the water and also -moistened the edges of the bowls. - -"Now listen and tell me what I am playing?" said she. - -The Guide lightly passed her moist fingertips around the rim of the -right-hand bowl and produced a clear sweet tone. - -"G!" called the girls as she looked for their reply. - -"Now these?" - -Again she passed her fingers over the rims of the glasses and played the -scale. As she brought out the notes the girls gathered about the table -and listened with surprised interest. - -"Now I will play my favourite patriotic song, 'Our America,' and after I -have played it through you girls might sing it." - - -[Illustration: _OUR AMERICA_] - - - 1 - - America, America, thou gavest birth - To light that lighteth all the earth. - God keep it pure! - We love that onward leading light; - We will defend it with our might, - It shall endure! - - - 2 - - America, America, our love of thee - Is free-men's love of Liberty, - The Spirit blest, - Which holds high happiness in store, - When Right shall reign from shore to shore. - From East to West. - - - 3 - - America, America, thy seer-graved seal - Foretells the perfect Commonweal - Of God-made men; - Its eagle with unwearied wings - Is symbol of the thought-seen things - Of prophet's ken. - - - 4 - - America, America, on-pressing van - Of all the hopes of waking man, - We love thy flag!--Thy stately flag of steadfast - stars, - And white, close held to heart-red bars, - Which none shall drag! - - - 5 - - America, America, in thee is found - Manasseh's tribe, to Ephraim bound - By Israel's vow, - Whose destiny is heaven-sealed; - Far spreading vine in fruitful field - God's planting, thou! - - - 6 - - America, America, faith-shadowed land, - Truth dwells in Thee, and Truth shall stand - To guard thy gate. - Thy planted seed of potent good - Shall grow to world-wide brotherhood, - Man's true estate. - - - 7 - - America, America, the God of love - Whose name is ev'ry name above - Is thy defence. - 'Tis thou must lead the longing world - From phantom fears to Love's unfurled - Omnipotence. - -The music was played through and then the Guide began the song again, -expecting the girls to sing, but they were so intensely interested in -watching her deft fingers touch the rims of the bowls that they quite -forgot to sing. As Miss Miller concluded the song the second time, she -looked around and laughed: - -"That was the softest singing I ever thought possible!" - -The girls laughed, too, and Zan said: "Try us again--maybe we can voice -more sound." - -Then the song was played and sung through and Mrs. Baker came in to -listen, saying: "It sounded so sweet that I wanted to hear it at closer -range." - -"I think the idea is charming, but of course there is nothing like the -tomtom for an Indian scalp dance or Hopi Indian song," said Miss Miller. - -She then played several old ballads, the girls humming the chorus of -each as she played it. - -"Girls, let's have Miss Miller play that Morning Prayer that was written -for us by request. We all know the words and with this sweet music it -ought to sound lovely!" exclaimed Zan. - -Then the manuscript sheet of music sent the Band by a friend was -produced and the Guide played it. At the second playing the girls all -sang in low sweet voices and who can say that the genuine desire -expressed in the words of the simple verses was not as acceptable to the -Great Spirit as any scholastic prayer ever uttered by famous -theologians. - -"If Miss Miller will agree, we can practise this glass music at odd -moments during the week and any member excelling in the performance on -Saturday will have a prize--same as May's chest," ventured Jane. "Yes, -unless we have a camp this week-end. If we do we can award the prize -some evening next week," assented Zan. - -"You girls can all try but I have too many other things to do this week. -Besides, I wouldn't bother to work for such nonsensical prizes as the -kind you gave May," said Eleanor, aggravatingly. - -Zan flared up but a look from the Guide calmed her again. - -"By the way, Eleanor, did you ever complete your Woodcraft test of -carpentry?" now asked Miss Miller, meaningly. - -"Why, no--I thought I would leave the Band so I did not bother to waste -my time." - -"Well, as long as you remained with us, I would advise you to finish it -without more delay so we can credit up your Tally." - -Eleanor said nothing but she sulked all evening, and when the girls were -ready to leave, Miss Miller said: "I am walking down your way, Eleanor, -and I will be glad to have company part of the way." - -The girl would much rather not have had the Guide walk home with her for -the memory of her confession at Staten Island Camp was never forgotten -although she had tried to bury it many a time. So she was not in a very -friendly mood when the two were alone and walking down the quiet street. - -"I made this opportunity on purpose, Eleanor, and I trust you will -remember why?" said Miss Miller. - -"I haven't the slightest idea of what you mean, but if you walked this -way just to be with me why should you prevaricate before the whole -crowd?" - -"I hardly think I did that! I always try to speak the truth--in thought -as well as in deed. But in this instance I felt sure you would prefer to -have me word my invitation as I did rather than speak bluntly of my -purpose. I believe in using the 'wisdom of the serpent' when one can be -absolutely true to one's self." - -"Huh! 'And gentleness of the dove,' why don't you add?" sneered Eleanor, -unkindly. - -"I didn't think it necessary to add that with you, as you should be -aware of my gentleness in handling this delicate situation. As long as -you fail to appreciate my good intentions it may be that you will -understand bluntness better." - -Miss Miller waited but Eleanor made no reply, so she added: - -"When do you intend telling May and the others about the theft?" - -"How dare you say that to me!" cried Eleanor, trying to be furiously -insulted. - -"Because I dare to stand for the truth. I have waited many days now, and -offered you many good opportunities to admit your deed, but you seem -farther from doing the right thing than ever. Do you know that the -hiding of any wrong thing is a hindrance in itself to one's progress?" - -"I shall turn in this side street unless you mind your own business!" -flared Eleanor, looking down the uninviting dark road. "You may do that -but you cannot run away from your own self-condemnation and conscience. -And I know from the signs that you have shown, that the trouble is -preying upon your mind and making of you a most petulant, disagreeable -being. Rid yourself of the error and see the uplifting you will feel at -once." - -Whether it was the yearning in Miss Miller's voice or the answer to her -earnest silent prayer for guidance, it matters not, for both were sweet -to the Father's ear, and Eleanor again felt the surging desire to reform -and build up a different character for herself. - -Quite unexpectedly, she turned and threw her arms about the Guide's neck -and wept forth: "Oh, if I could only see the girls this very -minute--here in the dark--I would be so happy to confess." - -"Eleanor, do you really mean that?" asked Miss Miller, her voice -quivering with hope and joy. - -"Um-um, Ooh, ye-e-es! But to-morrow I will be hard again!" - -"No you won't, dear child, for the Spirit will stay with you to soften -the human will! Now let us stop in at the gym and you shall write a -letter to the Band that will answer just the same as if you spoke in the -dark, for you need not see them when they read the words and cry -gratefully over your courage and repentance." - -"Cry--don't you think they will fire me out of the Band?" asked Eleanor, -incredulously. - -"No, my dear, for they know that this from you means a far greater work -of redemption than if a good little girl who never had any erroneous -temptations always smiled and walked obediently in the pathway all -prepared for her feet!" - -"Oh, Miss Miller, you make everything so good and easy for a sinner to -repent!" - -And they stopped at the school-gymnasium for which the teacher carried a -key. And here not only was a note penned, but many an admonition was -given the girl that helped her over dark and rocky places in after life. - -Suffice it to say here, that the letter caused great consternation when -read by the Guide to the girls the next afternoon, but she advised them -wisely and gently, so that Zan's fury and May's resentment soon -disappeared and left in its place the wish to help Eleanor in her -struggle to win out in the battle between her better self and the evil -counterfeit. - -Eleanor failed to appear at any of the meetings that week although she -sent in a piece of carpentry made for her test that elicited the -admiration of the other girls. Also she sent in a Tally Book she made -for her own use, and this, too, caused Elena, the artist, to exclaim, -for it was as pretty as her own--and that was said to be the most -artistic one in the Band. - -The next Thursday evening's meeting was held at Jane's home. Miss Miller -said it would be a good plan to begin regular work on the bead trimmings -as she wished every girl to complete a handsome set of banding for a -ceremonial costume in which to appear at Grand Councils. - -This motion was agreed upon and Elena entered the vote in the Tally -Book, that each girl was to present the results of her bead-loom work a -month from that day. - -Later in the evening the Guide spoke of the many ways Woodcraft girls -had in the city of following pursuits they little dreamed of. - -"For instance: when you are on the streets and the wind is blowing the -dust about, always keep your mouth closed and breathe through the -nostrils. Also keep your toes nearly straight when walking and expand -the chest. In crossing a street, always look both ways, especially in a -crowded thoroughfare, before attempting to cross. Most of the accidents -to pedestrians are caused by people in a hurry, or impatient, and not -obeying the traffic laws. When one is mindful of law one is always -protected and safe. Now I wonder how many of you know the meaning of the -coloured lights on the street lamps, or other places? How many girls are -familiar with the signals of policemen, particularly the traffic squad?" - -Very few of the girls could answer correctly to these vital questions, -and the Guide explained, then continued her talk to them. - -"Besides the city signs and laws every girl should know where the parks, -museums, libraries, and other public buildings are located so anyone -inquiring for them can be directed without loss of time or -confusion--also for our own convenience. - -"In the museums we can study the national costumes and customs of every -nation in the world, from the collections on exhibit of different -periods in history. Any interested person can find in the wonderful free -exhibits, the pictures, statuary, carvings, relics, and many other -things impossible to find elsewhere, a liberal education in itself. - -"Besides these treasures, gathered at great cost of time, life, and -money, for us to enjoy at our leisure, we also have the aquarium at -Battery Park, Zoological Gardens, Horticultural Gardens, and many -interesting streets and structures of old New York that one never thinks -of being in existence. The public lectures given gratis every week to -anyone who will avail themselves of the privilege, the great Community -Chorus founded to train voices in the best music, the singers giving -public concerts for all at different times each year, and numerous other -sources of educational interests where you are invited and welcomed as -warmly as if you paid an exorbitant fee to attend--all these places can -be found by referring to the daily papers. - -"In speaking of the many advantages girls had without using a third of -them, Mrs. Remington mentioned that her Tribe went to the New York Parks -last year and actually found one hundred different kinds of trees, a -hundred wild flowers, sixty kinds of birds flying about, furry -four-footed animals, turtles, snakes, and other things mentioned in the -Manual for _coups_ and grand _coups_." - -"I never thought of that!" declared Zan, thoughtfully. - -"Neither did I. Can't we go, too, Miss Miller, and make up our hundred -for grand _coups_?" asked Jane. - -"Of course we can, and that is why I mentioned it. Even the new members -can find what they need right in Central Park. Then there is the Bronx -and Van Courtlandt Parks should you exhaust the 'happy hunting grounds' -of Central Park," replied the Guide, pleased. - -"Oh girls, can't we go right soon?" exclaimed Anne Mason. - -"Gracious! There seems more to do than one Winter can ever find time -for!" sighed Nita. - -"I know that sigh by this time--Nita thinks we won't bother to dance if -we adventure about the wilds of New York!" laughed Zan. - -"Everything in its own place, you know. We will have as much time for -steps and songs as ever, for the evenings at home can be devoted to -indoor fun, you know," explained the Guide. - -"I'm glad we won't have any extra studies to catch up with this year. -When we had to forge ahead to make room for scholars last year, we -couldn't possibly have had any Woodcraft fun in the evenings," ventured -Hilda, gratefully. - -"And so the completion of the new High School on the other side of the -city is a blessing to you Woodcrafters," said Miss Miller. - -"We ought to have our individual Tally Books all ready for entries if we -go off on trips like the ones you mentioned," suggested May. - -"Yes, and I want you to each have your totems completed so that -important incidents or progress can be depicted on the pole. Besides the -totems and Tallies, each girl must make a good set of rubbing sticks and -the bag and other adjuncts to complete a fire set. We ought to make and -decorate articles of useful furniture, to make a garment, to cook and -preserve, and many other pursuits that can be best done in the Winter -indoors." - -"Miss Miller, I am going to follow Elizabeth Remington's idea. She made -a bead band trimming on which the story of a Summer in camp was -pictured. I shall do the same, and in symbolic pictures tell the story -of our camp on the farm," said Zan. - -"Oh Zan, that will be fine! Call it the costume of the 'Woodcraft Girls -at Camp,'" said Jane. - -"Do you mind if we girls make one that way?" asked Elena. - -"Of course not! It isn't likely that any of you will work out the same -idea in beads as I will," replied Zan. - -"I think the plan is good and the ceremonial dresses ought to look -beautiful," approved Miss Miller. - -Thus an incentive for beading and sewing was offered the original -members of Wickeecheokee Band. But the new members thought they could -design Indian figures and symbols that would be pretty and answer the -present need for trimming, and when they had had practise and -experiences to picture they could add to their bead-work. - -That evening the girls learned that Woodcraft was not so much a matter -of camps and meetings as of individual study and growth--and application -of the highest and best that one was possible of doing. - -"O Chief! Will you try and see Eleanor to-morrow and tell her of our -plans for the Winter? Possibly the very fact of your seeking her to -mention this meeting as an item of Tribe business will assure her that -we all wish her to do her share in the undertaking," said Miss Miller, -as the meeting adjourned. - -Zan sought out the wayward member although she disliked an errand like -this one. She reported the different plans the Guide outlined for the -girls and then told Eleanor to "get busy" on her bead trimming for a -leather costume. - -"Dear me, it is nothing but work, work, work, in your Lodge. Now I heard -from a girl who is a Woodcrafter in Plainfield, and _she_ says they have -the jolliest times! They go to entertainments, have candy pulls, -parties, and almost every week they all go to some place of amusement -together. _You_ never do that!" complained Eleanor. - -"If that girl tells the truth and is a real Woodcrafter she combines -pleasure with advancement. Maybe she considers a hike or a Council a -party, and you misunderstood her. She may think she 'is having the best -of times' going to a lecture which you misconstrue as a place of -amusement. Anyway, it doesn't matter what some folks think or do, Wako -Tribe has a pattern of its own and it cuts its cloth accordingly," -replied Zan, not too humbly, for she felt impatient at the reception -given her message from Miss Miller. - -Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and Zan left her without another word, -both feeling the occasion had been given for a better understanding but -the result of it was a failure. - -After the meeting at which the girls realised the many free resorts -where Woodcraft _coups_ could be won, they took new interest in -home-work as well. Zan completed a set of rustic furniture made of the -timber from the farm, and this set of table, two chairs, and two stools -was decorated with Indian emblems. - -"Dad, isn't this a peachy set?" asked she when it was finished and -standing on the wide rear porch for exhibition. - -"It certainly is, Daughter. Now the question is, where shall we keep it -until next Spring when we can ship it to the farm?" answered the doctor. - -"Keep it? Why, in the parlour, of course!" declared Zan, frowning at the -implied meaning in her father's question. - -"And sell the junk mother has there to a second hand dealer! Of course! -how could I have been so stupid as to think otherwise," replied Dr. -Baker meekly. Zan studied his face but his expression was inscrutable. - -"We-el-1--I s'pose I _might_ keep it in the library!" ventured she, as -she pictured her mother's -solid-mahogany-frames-upholstered-silk-velour-furniture thrown on a -scrap wagon. - -"Maybe--I am only suggesting, of course--maybe we could ship it to the -farm this Fall and store there until next Summer," said the doctor. - -"But I expect to use it all the time, Dad. Right this week I shall sit -on the chair and use the table," cried Zan. - -"Then let us leave it just where it is for the time being as you need -all the fresh air you can get during the fine Indian Summer weather. -When the snow blows we can freight it to Wickeecheokee." - -Everyone Zan knew was brought to the house to admire the rustic -furniture, but after a week of exhibiting she grew weary of repeating -verbally the methods of manufacturing the set, and then she settled down -to use it when at work on the bead-loom. - -The table and a chair were carried to the birches still green, growing -in one corner of the grass-plat, and here Zan wove the banding, her -nimble fingers flying in and out, back and forth, as the bead trimming -began to take on unique and pretty pictures of camp-life. - -Now and then some of the other girls would join Zan and work on the -looms, and at these visits tongues would talk of the many plans for -Tribe activities that Winter. - -"Do you see any improvement in Eleanor?" asked Jane, one day. - -"Funny that you should ask me that. I asked Miss Miller the same thing -this morning," replied Zan. - -"What did she say?" from Jane. - -"She thought the change wrought for the better was more mental and -spiritual than in material expression, but the results were bound to be -apparent to everyone in time." - -"Guess it will be a long time, then!" retorted Jane. - -"Miss Miller says we mustn't feel that way about it. That we are killing -the frail child of a weak but higher aspiration. If we train our -thoughts to consider the motives and yearnings for a more harmonious -life that the girl _must_ have, we will not condemn and criticise her -acts. It is the _human_ judgment of _things_ that makes obstacles in the -road of one's advancement, she told me." - -"Dear me, I wish I was as good and wise as Miss Miller," sighed Jane, -gazing skyward. - -"Say, you're not the only one holding a mortgage on that wish! Every -blessed girl of Wako Tribe tries to copy the model Guide," said Zan, -smilingly, as she remembered Fiji's words: "If you knew as much as your -Guide, what a wonderful sister you would be." - -Miss Miller had reports to make out that week-end so there was no hope -of camping, but the girls felt they had so much to do in the city that -the outing would not be missed. A plan was made for the following week, -however, to camp on the Palisades. The Guide invited the girls to meet -her for a short time in the gymnasium that Friday, to decide upon a -location for the camp. - -Miss Miller was not in the room when the girls gathered together, but -she came in shortly afterward. Her face beamed with pleasant news and -Zan immediately said: - -"We know from your expression that you know something good!" - -"Yes, I do, and the letter just came on the last mail. I just received -the pass for our Band admitting us to the lectures and cinematograph -pictures given at the National Museum of History in New York. They start -next week and the course, which is on Indian Crafts and Folk Lore -beginning with the Zuni Indians, will be of great interest and help to -us. I want every one of you girls to try and attend these lectures with -me, so better ask permission from your parents." - -"Oh, that _is_ good news!" cried Elena. - -"We sure are indebted to you, Miss Miller, for all the trouble you take -for our enjoyment," added Zan. - -The other girls expressed their gratitude, too, and then the talk -centered on the expectations of what these lectures would bring forth. -Miss Miller saw the condition that often exists when folks are given -something to look forward to in the near future--their thoughts fill -with outlines and ideas of that which is to be, instead of living and -making the best of that which is offered at the immediate present. The -wise Guide knew that this form of mental picturing and outlining of -things, still misty and indistinct to the individual, was an undesirable -state of imagination so she quickly changed the current of their -thoughts by saying: - -"Girls, I have an odd Indian legend founded on the constellation of -'Charles Wain.' Want to hear it?" - -Naturally every girl cried for the story and they sat down in a circle -to listen. - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN--CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS - - -"This myth comes from the Tlingit Indians of Alaska and is named 'The -Wain House People,'" began Miss Miller. - -"Certain Indians came to a fort to live, and after a time began killing -bears, ground-hogs, porcupines, mountain sheep, and other animals for -food. After they had killed them, they cut off the heads and set them up -on sticks about the village, then the people sang to these objects. - -"Now there was a young man among them who was to be Chief. When he was -born he had been placed in a sheep's skin instead of cradle. As he grew -older he was able to follow the mountain sheep to places on the cliffs -where no one else could go, hence he killed more sheep than anyone else. - -"After he had cut off and mounted the heads of his sheep he, too, would -sing and dance about them, saying tauntingly: 'I wish I was a sheep! I -wish my head was cut off too!' - -"Meantime, the mountain sheep were becoming angry at losing so many of -their flocks and one day, when the villagers went up for a great hunt, -they met a flock of sheep that led them up the steep mountain-side to a -place where they appeared to be herding together. - -"But once near the sheep, the people were surprised to see them race -still higher up the side of the steep rocks. The young hunter who wished -to be a great chief ran after them and became separated from his -companions. When on the very top of the peak he was met by a fine -looking young man who shone like the sun and had a long white beard like -the mountain ancients. This stranger turned to the youth who had been -cradled in a sheep's skin and invited him to his home. He led the way -inside of the mountain where everything looked weird and strange. Great -heaps of horns were piled everywhere, and the stranger said: 'These are -the horns I am keeping to fit to the heads of the villagers.' - -"When the young man's friends missed him they sought day and night -without success, then they went home to plan how to rescue him. For many -days the search was resumed until finally they discovered his horn-spear -stuck in the ground near the top of the peak. But no other clue could -they find although they kept up a search for many days. - -"Then the villagers declared that he was lost to them and they wailed -and beat the drums for the hunter who came not back. - -"Now the shining stranger tried to fit a pair of horns on the young -hunter's head. They were heated and, when taken from the terrific fire -that burned continually in the pit of the mountain, they were put upon -and held to his head so that the poor hunter thought the insides of his -head would be burnt out. - -"During this trial, a few of the hunter's friends still sought for him -whenever they hunted on the mountain-side, and after a year's time, a -young man climbed up the peak after a flock of mountain sheep, and there -he heard someone shout to him. He knew it was the friend who had been -lost. He shouted back, but the lost friend began singing and saying: 'I -must go now, the shining stranger comes and will find me.' - -"The young man ran back to the village and told everyone what he had -heard. They were surprised to hear that a stranger lived on top of the -mountain, but one old villager said: 'It must be the -Man-of-the-Sun-shining-on-the-Mountain-Peaks.' - -"So they set out to capture all the sheep that lived on that mountain, -knowing that the Man-of-the-Sun would try to prevent his sheep from -being killed. Then they would bargain for the life of their friend in -exchange for the sheep. - -"Now the sheep that lived on the very peak of the mountain could see -down into the valleys when the villagers went out to hunt. And they said -to the young man: 'Your people come again to kill all the sheep. Tell -them, therefore, that if they will throw away their weapons we will let -you go, but if they persist in killing our flocks we will also kill -you.' - -"The young captive then went out on the very edge of the cliff and -called down to his people: 'The sheep say they will send me back if you -will give up the chase of their flocks. Now you must hear them or I -shall be thrown into the pit of fire.' - -"But the young hunter who heard the voice called back: 'We must have -food. What shall we do without sheep?' - -"Then an old ram came up to the captive and said: 'Tell them if they -must have us for food, they can at least hang up our sheep-skins on the -poles which hold our heads. If the heads and skins are faced toward the -rising sun our Chief will bring us all safely home again for another -time. If you stick eagles' feathers on our skins we can fly from your -village without trouble. You should mount the heads of grizzly bears on -poles and face them toward the night. For they are wicked animals.' - -"So the captive repeated the words of the ram and when he had finished -speaking he was hurried back inside the mountain for fear his friends -would shoot at and kill the sheep waiting on the peak. - -"And the people did try to kill the sheep and recover their friend, and -so many of the flock were killed and carried away that the -Man-of-the-Shining-Sun came out and spoke. - -"'This is the last time the mountain sheep will talk with you. If your -people will not do as we say, then I will kill you. But if they will -listen to you and will not make war on the sheep till Fall, when we -always go down from the peaks to graze in the timber lands below the -glacier, then they can come with their dogs and save you.' - -"In the Autumn, therefore, the people prepared to make a great hunt and -kill sheep for Winter food. The sheep were already in the timber lands -below the glacier and when the villagers came up the side of the -mountain the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun sent the captive down the steep -cliff to meet his friends. As he stood there with horns on his head and -a sheep-skin covering his body, the dogs thought he was a sheep and -charged upon him. But they soon recognised a friend and ran back to bark -for the hunters. - -"When the villagers heard the story they promised they would not kill -any sheep that year, but hunt for grizzlies and deer for food. They -broke their spears and other weapons and threw them over the side of the -cliff, and as they did so the horns fell off and the sheep-skin -disappeared from the young man's form. And he stood forth strong and -courageous as ever; his people found he smelled like the things that -grow up on top of the mountains where the wind and sky and earth are -pure and sweet. - -"The people were happy and escorted him to the village. The moment he -saw the sheep-skins lying about he said: 'Dampen these and hang them up -on poles with feathers stuck to them. Place them facing the rising sun -as I promised the ram we would do.' - -"When the skins were ready to mount the young man painted each face red -and stuck eagles' down on the backs. As he hung each skin facing the sun -he said: 'You are in just the position your Chief ordered, now fly -away.' - -"Early the next morning the fort shook as with a mighty earth-quake and -every piece of flesh that had been eaten from the sheep-skins was -replaced by new flesh, and as the young chief opened the door of his -wigwam the sheep-skins, now plumped out and alive again, ran away -towards the mountain. - -"But, strange to say, the sheep-skins had been so long with the people -that many of them had beards when their skins filled out again. And many -of the sheep forgot their mountain habits and wandered about at the foot -of the cliffs, so that they became tame and lived with men ever after. - -"After the sheep were sent back to the mountains, the -Man-of-the-Shining-Sun on the Mountain Peak sent a good spirit to the -young chief who had obeyed and kept his promise. The spirit would be his -strength so that he could do anything he wanted done. - -"At the gift presented to their young chief the people rejoiced greatly, -and made him a pair of snowshoes, a shaman's mask, and many bows and -arrows. Then the chief ordered the people to come to him. They were then -at Fort-by-a-small-lake, which was west of Juneau City, and there they -built a big house for the chief with a good spirit. On the door-posts of -this house they carved the signs of the Great Dipper. Then the shaman -fasted four days and four nights and when the constellation appeared and -blessed the people, those people were called Wain House People and have -been so called ever since." - -"There isn't much hidden truth in that legend," said Zan, who felt -disappointed with the story. - -"I liked it, all right," said Elena. - -"It's a queer tale--some of those Indian stories are so impossible as to -be ridiculous," commented Hilda. - -"In our translations perhaps, but we must remember that many words in -the Eskimo are impossible to translate properly and still retain beauty -and sense. But the story goes to show that at a remote age the Alaskan -Indians knew and named the 'Wain,' even as the present age does." - -The week-end determined upon for a camp on the Hudson proved to be -perfect October weather, and great was the buzzing about the gymnasium -as the girls packed their outfits and waited for the three autos to -carry them to the nearest place for the Alpine camp. - -Miss Miller had heard much about the wild grandeur and beauty of Alpine -in the Autumn, and she had pictured a beautiful place of Nature. But she -was disappointed when the cars stopped on the Fort Lee road and Jim -said: - -"This is as far as we can safely go." - -The girls were compelled, therefore, to carry their outfits across the -stubbly fields to reach the woods that fringed the river cliffs. The -chauffeurs gave all the assistance they could, and when the woods were -reached they left to return home, while the campers struggled on to find -a suitable site. - -The entire area along the Palisades had been purchased as city property -and was being ploughed over; diseased timber was cut down, and down -timber chopped up ready to remove, when the Tribe first caught a glimpse -of the place. Wherever a clearing had been, was now used for piling up -refuse, stones, and brushwood. The day was unusually warm for the season -and the heavy packs which had to be carried to camp did not help anyone -to feel more cheerful. - -"Oh, this is awful! I wish I had never come!" complained Eleanor, -stopping every other moment to gasp and rest. - -"It isn't very alluring, I must admit," said Miss Miller, as -disappointed as the others. - -"Great Caesar's ghost! _What_ are they going to do with this upside-down -area!" finally cried Nita, as she caught her toe in some half-buried -trash and fell head-long into a rut newly ploughed that week. - -"It's in the throes of being transformed into a Park!" laughed Zan. - -"Oh no!" called Jane, "this is the evolution of a dancing floor for -Nita." - -After many stumblings and grumblings, the Tribe reached the cool shadows -of the woodland where they found a plain trail running along the crest -of the river bank. Zan led the way and after they had gone some distance -through the dense woods she came to a natural clearing that projected -far over on the cliff. She went out there and instantly dropped her -pack. - -"Oh! Come here and see the wonderful view!" shouted she. - -Everyone dropped the tiresome luggage and gladly ran out to join Zan. - -"Ah! This repays us for all the toil and hardships endured," exclaimed -Miss Miller, with clasped hands, admiring the view. - -From the point where they stood, hundreds of feet above the majestic -Hudson, they could see up and down the river for miles. The city of -Yonkers was opposite, and the river-craft plying the Hudson provided -interesting scenes to the girls. The gorgeous colouring of foliage on -both sides of the river clothed the hills and cliffs with beautiful -tones made by Nature's paint-brush. The air was sweet and warm, and -crickets, some late birds, and insects added their voices to the general -music of the Falling Leaf Moon. - -"I wish we could camp near here," ventured Jane. - -"I thought I heard running water before you joined me. Maybe we can find -a brook or spring," suggested Zan. - -"I heard there was a beautiful bit of water here called Alpine Falls. If -we could only find it!" said Miss Miller. - -"Let's separate and scout for it. Leave the baggage here for the time," -responded Zan. - -But they had not far to search, for Zan _had_ heard falling water, part -way down the steep Palisades, falling from a great height on a rocky -peak to a glen beneath. The stream that fed the falls had worn a narrow -but deep gully on top of the cliffs, and Miss Miller was the one to -discover it as she sought for a good camp-site. A rustic bridge spanned -the ravine and a path led a circuitous way down to the ledge where the -Falls formed a foamy pool before running over its rocky basin to tumble -recklessly on down to join the river. - -Miss Miller wished to assure herself that it would be a safe spot for so -many girls to camp, so she followed the path to the ledge and there saw -a rustic sign nailed to a tree, "Alpine Falls--no camping allowed on -this ledge." - -She climbed back again and called to the Tribe to join her. They were -delighted with the place, and when Miss Miller told them of the sign -they agreed to camp at the clearing on the point and use the Falls for -cooking and wash water. - -"I hope to goodness no one here is a sleep-walker," laughed Zan, waving -a hand in the direction of the precipice. - -"No one here guilty of that habit!" replied Miss Miller. - -So camp was pitched and preparations for supper well under way before -Jane said: "We forgot to think of a swim." - -"Too late! Besides, we'll have to crawl down this wall and see if there -is any sort of a place where we can get in," answered Zan. - -That evening they enjoyed riddles, charades, and Nita danced a wild -flower dance she had invented. Miss Miller told them of some of her -interesting experiences while travelling in Egypt and the Old World, and -then to bed. - -Early in the morning, Zan turned over in her tiny cot and yawned. Awake -in an instant, she sat up and sniffed. - -"Who's baking breakfast gems? They smell fine!" - -She jumped up and peeped from the flap of the tent. At a good camp-fire -she saw the funniest baker she ever thought possible to utilise. But no -one was about, so she crept out in her pajamas and grass slippers to -investigate. - -On a smooth stick safely driven into the ground near enough to the -camp-fire to warrant a steady heat reaching it, was twisted a long flat -strip of dough. It began to wind about the stick from the bottom and -ended near the top. As it baked and browned on the side nearest the -fire, a delightful aroma came from it and permeated the air. - -"Well, I never! If this isn't the most ingenious device!" murmured Zan, -chuckling to herself. - -"Watching my bread-twist, Zan?" called a voice, and Zan looked over to -see the Guide coming from the Falls where she had had a cold bath. - -"Yes, but I was wondering how to give the offside a chance to brown?" -replied Zan. - -"I'll show you--simple as anything." And Miss Miller merely took hold of -the top-end of the stick and gave it a sharp turn. Naturally the bread -turned with it, and the side that was brown was now facing away from the -fire while the other side was turned toward it to bake and brown. - -Zan laughed and nodded her head approvingly, then glanced at the other -breakfast food cooking. Cereal was boiling in a pot hanging over the -fire where the bread was baking, and apples were stewing in a saucepan. - -"Did we bring apples yesterday?" asked she. - -"No, but I found a little old tree down the trail and most of these were -picked up from the ground. Don't they smell good?" - -"Um-m! Should say they did. But tell me, Miss Miller--did you stay up -all night to work like this?" - -"Hardly! I got up an hour ago and mixed the bread dough, then started -the fire. After that I wanted to see what kind of a country was back -there, and I found the apples. When they were stewing and the cereal on -boiling, I went for my morning wash." - -"I'll run in and wash and dress, then I'll be back to help," said Zan, -starting off for the tent. - -Hilda was already up and dressing when Zan ran in, and both girls -chattered so noisily about the bread-twist that the others awoke and -jumped out of bed. - -When Zan and Hilda returned to the camp-fire the Guide asked Hilda to -broil the ham while Zan spread the breakfast cloth. - -"What can I do?" asked Jane, coming over. - -"You can get a pail of fresh water from the Falls and fill the cups at -each plate," returned the Guide. - -That breakfast was appreciated thoroughly by everyone, for the bread was -hot and crisp and the ham fried as brown as any ever served by Southern -cook. - -"After we finish breakfast and have cleared away the dishes, we must -explore the immediate neighbourhood to find out if we are on a main -trail where visitors are liable to come and interrupt our peace," said -Miss Miller. - -The camp chores done, the Tribe started for a hike, intending to circle -their camp-site and look for possible intruders. They had followed the -trail but a short distance before Miss Miller spied some fine white -birches. Some of these had been cut down as being in the way for the -proposed roadways of the park. The Guide immediately found a use for the -large sheets of bark that were peeling from the trunks. - -"Girls, we will postpone our scouting for a time when there is no -important work at hand, but now do let us collect as much of this -splendid birch bark while it is offered us without damaging standing -trees." - -The Guide then showed the eager Woodcrafters how to peel the bark to -keep it in large sections and not split it into strips. When everyone -was laden with as much bark as could possibly be carried, they started -for camp and deposited their freight on the ground. - -"You need not waste a bit of this bark--even this bit will make the -outside of a dainty pen-wiper. It can be cut oblong and decorated with -gold-paint. With leaves of felt or flannel between the two sections, and -these tied together with a cord or ribbon, it makes a pretty memento." - -"I suppose Miss Miller will find endless ways to use this tinder, just -as she did for the sea-shore pebbles and shells," remarked May, -laughingly. - -"I can think of enough ideas right now to keep you girls busy until -Christmas," rejoined the Guide, also laughingly. - -"For instance?" questioned Zan, curious to hear the items. - -"Well, you can make needle-cases, pin-cushions, boxes for neckties for -the boys, boxes for handkerchiefs for parents, picture frames, veneering -for rustic furniture, Tally Book covers, camp utensils--such as dishes, -pots, pans, and platters, toilet sets, and many other things." - -"That's right! I never thought of using birch bark for such things," -declared Elena. - -"Make a record of it in the Tally!" teased Zan, for Elena was acquiring -the habit of entering everything in that book. - -"If we should find any sweet grass on our walks while here, we must be -sure and gather it, as it is what is needed to sew up the seams of birch -bark. If the grass is wound about with red linen thread it makes it much -stronger and looks pretty, too. The bark must be punched with a row of -holes so the grass-binding can pass through without tearing. I think we -have a punch at home such as children use in a kindergarten school." - -"Miss Miller, do you know of other articles to make out of wild-wood -things?" asked May, with awe at the Guide's knowledge. - -"Well, I think pine cones make the oddest and prettiest things. The -small cones combined with birch bark are lovely. I have made frames by -glueing cones in patterns on thin bark-covered wooden frames. I have a -large picture of George Washington at home that I framed in this way -years ago. Then, too, I will show you a work-box that I made for my -mother. It was made of a cigar-box and covered with bark. On top of the -lid, and about the sides, I glued different kinds of cones and stems. -Then I varnished the whole thing and it was beautiful, in my estimation. -It has lasted to this day, and I made it over five years ago." - -"I waxed some Autumn leaves last year and we used them over the windows -and doors until Christmas time. Everyone said they looked _so_ pretty," -said Elena. - -"Why can't we gather some of these beautiful leaves and do the same -thing with them, Miss Miller?" asked Jane, eagerly. - -"We must wax them with sperm and iron them as soon as they are cut from -the branches. You see, the colours remain exactly the same as when they -were gathered if you wax them before they have time to dry. Whole -branches can be waxed this way and used for decorative purposes. -Florists to-day use great masses of waxed Autumn leaves in their -exhibits, or for back-grounds through the Winter months. But care must -be taken when ironing the spermaceti over the leaves that the hot iron -does not touch the stem or wood of the branch. If it does, the leaf will -immediately fall off." - -So much time had been taken by the collecting and descriptions of -articles made of birch bark, that it was noon before anyone dreamed it -was more than ten o'clock. - -"Girls, we ought to find a place for a swim and then have lunch. After -that we will seek for a neighbour--if there are any on this crest," said -Miss Miller. - -But the girls could find no way to get down the steep cliff-side unless -they went a long way back. So they gave up the hope of a swim that day -and started off to seek for adventure. - -They had gone about a mile in a new direction when one of the girls -glimpsed a fine old mansion painted so nearly like the green and russet -colouring of the woods that it was difficult to distinguish it from its -beautiful setting. - -"No wonder we didn't see it before," remarked Zan, gazing at its dark -brown shingled sides and green roof. - -"It doesn't seem occupied. Maybe the people do not live here," suggested -Elena. - -"There's a rustic fence with a gate. I can see a notice hanging on the -gate--let's see what it says," called Jane, who was in advance of the -others. - -In a few moments the Band stood reading the sign. "No trespassing on -these grounds under penalty of the law." - -"We're not on their land yet, but it's a shame to have a fence cut off -an adventure right in the middle of a trail!" pouted Nita. - -"It may prove a far more thrilling adventure to sit here and try to -explain the reason for closed shutters and an abandoned house at this -time of year," ventured Miss Miller. - -Even as she spoke, a gardener came forward along a side path, and doffed -his cap. - -"I heared your voices an' I sure was s'prised to find a lot of -school-girls. You--all seldom come as far as this. The -'Annabell'--that's the launch runnin' from Yonkers to Alpine and back -agin--generally leaves 'em at the foot of the cliff where they picnic." - -"We saw the sign and wondered if we were trespassing out here?" replied -Miss Miller, in a questioning voice. - -"Not at all! In fack, it would be all right for ladies to walk through -the groun's when no one's home. The family's gone for the season now. We -have to keep the sign up, just the same, to keep out the roughs from the -city who would destroy the trees and flowers fer nothin'. Would you like -to come in?" asked the old man, politely. - -"I think not, thank you. We are camping down on the point by the Falls, -and this was an afternoon hike. Now we will go back and hunt for a spot -where we can bathe," explained the Guide. "I kin help you there. I -haven't gone down to take up the two boats yet, or remove the portable -bath-house we have on the beach, an' you'se are welcome to use both -boats and house if it will accommodate you." - -"Oh how lovely!" cried the girls, before Miss Miller could decide what -would be the proper thing to do. So she smiled and thanked the generous -stranger. - -"I'll jes' run and git the keys to unlock the padlocks and bring you'se -the oars." So saying, the old man hurried to the barn back of the -mansion. - -"Now isn't this a real adventure?" laughed Miss Miller. - -"And we wouldn't have had it if there wasn't a house and a care-taker -here to obstruct the trail!" added Zan. - -It didn't take the Woodcrafters very long to run back to camp and find -their bathing togs, then on down the steep path that seemed to drop -sheer from the heights to the river-beach. - -The two boats added greatly to the fun of the water-sports. As every -girl could swim a little, and the water was shallow near the shore, -there was no danger in toppling out of the boat. - -There were some glorious battles of "tag" played with a bag of old cork -found on the beach. One girl would throw the bag and, if it landed in -the other boat, that side was "it" and was supposed to chase the -opponent and try to fling the cork into their boat. - -When they began to weary of this game, the Guide announced a swimming -contest. Then followed a diving contest. Lastly a prize was offered to -the girl who could swim under water and bring up from the river bottom -the white flour-bag filled with sand which Miss Miller had prepared and -was ready to drop from a boat into the clear depths of the river. - -The spot designated was about ten feet deep and about ten yards from -shore, but only a few girls could swim under water and it transpired -that only Elizabeth Remington could swim with her eyes open. Naturally -she was the one to bring up the trophy. - -"No wonder we couldn't do it when we never tried to keep our eyes open -under water--it hurts!" grumbled Zan, who disliked to be outdone by -another girl. - -Miss Miller silently exulted in the success of her little plan, for she -knew Elizabeth could accomplish the deed and wanted the other girls to -see her do it, thus imbuing them with the desire to try also. - -"Maybe it hurts at first, but I'm going to get that bag!" declared Jane, -plunging in and trying to open her eyes while swimming under the water. - -Others dared the test also, and soon all were sputtering or laughing at -their trials and failures. Finally, however, each one could brag of -being able to keep eyes open if but for a few seconds while swimming -under water. - -As they climbed the cliff again, Miss Miller said: "I think it is as -important to know how to swim under water with your eyes open to see -what you are meeting, as it is to keep your eyes open when crossing a -thoroughfare." - -"Ha! Discovered in the act!" laughed Zan, pointing an accusing finger at -the Guide. - -Miss Miller laughed also and nodded. - -"What?" questioned May. - -"She did that stunt on purpose to make us keen to learn the trick," -hastily explained Jane, who saw the nod and guessed rightly. - -That evening while sitting about the camp-fire Miss Miller suggested a -Hallow E'en treat for Zan's birthday. She spoke of many ways -Woodcrafters could celebrate, providing the weather was fair for a -weekend camp in the woods. - -Then Elena made a suggestion. "I am going to design and make a Woodcraft -article to give our Chief for a birthday gift." - -"I think that's great! I'll do one, too," added Jane. - -"So will I," echoed Hilda. - -"Let's all make something in Woodcraft for the party," said Nita. - -"Girls, why not exchange gifts with each other and make them ourselves -in Woodcraft style? We need not limit the giving to Zan, you know," -suggested the Guide. - -"Gracious me! It will take a pile of presents and ages to finish them -all," exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur; "I can't do it." - -"I had no idea of elaborate gifts. For instance, Nita can dance a new -step on the evening of the party, and teach it to Zan for a present. -That will not take her long nor be much work," explained Miss Miller. - -"Oh, that won't be a gift!" laughed Nita. - -"Why not? Won't it be the expression of your desire to give pleasure to -another? And won't Zan remember your love and generosity that really -constitutes _true_ giving? It is a mistake to look at the material -object as the gift, and forget the loving spirit that formed the thought -which expressed itself in the thing. The material gift is destructible, -but the love of a friend remains forever the true gift." - -"According to Miss Miller, then, we will be silly to waste time on -producing material objects when we can easily wish our love on anyone," -retorted Eleanor, in an unpleasant tone. - -"Eleanor, when we reach that state of perfect brotherhood of which Jesus -spoke as Heaven, we shall exchange love and goodness without the -material accompaniment, but while still on earth our limited vision and -other senses require the expression in kind as we are, to be able to -realise the love and desire to make others happy. That is why we are -compelled to plan and work before our friends know the state of our -feelings. For instance, your words spoken in tones and expression of -human resentment show me quite plainly that your thought is wrong--that -you rebel in mind against doing what was proposed by the love of the -other girls. But I may not have realised this state of your thought had -you not expressed it--see what I mean?" said Miss Miller, meaningly. - -Eleanor flushed but said nothing. And Zan quickly said: "Say, girls, we -can all win _coups_ that will count if we make some Woodcraft things -mentioned in the Manual!" - -"So we can! And each can choose what she likes," abetted Jane. - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE--A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E'EN - - -In the days following the camp-talk, the girls saw little of each other -after school, as they were busy working on the gifts to be distributed -at the Hallow E'en camp. - -Zan had spoken of a pattern Nita had for a dancing costume, so Nita made -the dress of cotton crepe, costing very little in coin of the realm but -much in thought and work. She disliked sewing and the very fact that she -spent so much time to have the costume neatly finished spoke highly for -her progress in character as well as of her way of expressing -friendship. - -For the other girls, Nita wrote out simple directions to dance -improvised steps of old dances. She also printed simple music fitted to -go with the unique steps. - -For Miss Miller, she made an artistic programme for the Gift Ceremony -which was explained to her by Mrs. Remington. This was to be used on the -occasion of the birthday evening. - -Hilda naturally followed the line of least resistance in selecting her -gifts. She made candy, baked a cake, wrote out a tiny Tally Book of -recipes for the Guide, and having packed the candies in empty boxes she -always saved for the purpose, she did each package up in yellow crpe -paper and tied it with black cord; on the knot tied on top of the boxes -she fastened a black cardboard bat or a witch with a broom-stick. - -Elena, adept with the brush, made individual Tally Books of brown -butcher paper and bound them in leather with thong strips to fasten them -together. She had secured the small remnants of tanned leather at a -wholesale leather house in the factory-district of the city. The Tallies -were decorated with the name of the individual artistically printed in -India ink, and the scroll decorations were so wrought that black cats, -witches, pumpkins, broom-sticks, bats, and other suggestive things of -Hallow E'en were featured as a remembrance of the party. - -Jane made a dozen narrow beaded head-bands which showed in the designs -the meaning of Hallow E'en. They were very beautiful and were sure to be -appreciated by the girls. Besides those for each member of the Band she -made one for Elizabeth Remington, who was invited to the party, and one -for Miss Miller. - -Zan made the unique decorations for the party. Each was wrapped in paper -and the name of the girl printed in plain view. These gifts were -original and diversified in style. - -She took empty cereal boxes--square ones as well as the round cartons -used by Quaker Oats--and cut designs in the sides, having sketched the -pattern on the cardboard before cutting away. A metal clip as is -generally used on Christmas trees to hold the candles was inserted in -the bottom of the box and fastened to hold a candle when necessary. -Picture wire was fastened at the top to suspend the box. When this was -finished, she blackened the entire box with cheap shoe-polish to -represent wrought iron. - -Zan also found two Edam cheese cases about to be thrown away and these -she captured for use. The contents had all been scraped out, so she cut -a hole in the bottom of the rind for a candle socket, then cut grotesque -mouth, nose, and eyes in the sides. Wire was used at the top to hang -them by and when finished they looked very funny. These Zan meant for -Miss Miller as a joke. - -Her next idea was to collect a number of empty tin cans and melt off the -jagged rims left when the covers had been cut out. A few perforations -were made in the bottoms for drainage, and the sides painted an ivory -white with black stencilled designs on them. Some of these were Egyptian -figures copied from ancient friezes shown in a book. When these cans -were filled with soil and a plant inserted, the effect was very artistic -and at little expense. - -May Randall, who had won the prize for carpentry, made small boxes with -leather hinges and brass-studded corners. She burnt designs on covers -and sides and touched up points here and there with red or blue paint, -then varnished the whole surfaces. These were meant for wampum, badges, -or other Woodcraft trinkets. - -Another new member selected pottery for her gifts. She made original -designs and when these were finished and touched up with black paint and -bright colours they were very artistic. - -Another girl made fire-boards. She used the oval bread-boards sold for -five cents each in the five and ten cent stores. The ovals were sawed in -the centre, giving two sections for each. Four half-ovals were hinged to -a square board so they would fold down when not in use. The rounded -sides were then decorated with symbols of the Winds and Fire. When -varnished and completed, they proved very fine and useful. - -Frances used the birch bark she had saved from the Alpine camp. Trays, -jewel-boxes, waste-baskets, picture frames, work-boxes, and other ideas -were carried out. The birch bark was soaked in hot water until soft, -then shaped as desired. The lacing of edges was made of raffia also -softened in water. Where strong lacing was necessary several strands of -raffia or grass were braided together and used. The sides of the -ornaments made were decorated in sepia paint, representing forest scenes -or Woodcraft designs. - -Other unique and lovely ideas were expressed individually by each girl, -so that not only was a great variety of gifts ready for the event, but -the manufacturers had had experience in handicraft and were able to -count the work for _coups_ in Woodcraft. - -The time had passed rapidly while everyone was at work on pleasant and -absorbing occupation, and the last Wednesday preceding the Friday they -expected to start for the Hallow E'en camp had arrived. That noon, Miss -Miller sent word to each girl that an important letter would be -considered at a special meeting in the gymnasium directly after school -in the afternoon. - -At such a time no one dreamed of being late or absent, so Miss Miller -was able to read the letter she had received a short time after classes -were dismissed. - - ---- - - "Respected Members of Wako Tribe: I have watched with deep - interest the manufacturing, by your Chief, of certain objects - meant to celebrate a Hallow E'en party. I also heard that no - particular place had yet been determined upon for this important - camp-meeting, so I hasten to solve the problem for you. - - "My family and a few friends expect to visit Wickeecheokee Farm - this week-end and enjoy a nutting party in the woods. If Wako - Tribe will accept our invitation, they can camp on the Bluff for - this week-end and join us in our out-door fun. Mrs. Baker and - the other guests will occupy the house, so you will not be - disturbed in your Woodcraft meetings if you desire privacy. - - "The autos will leave our house at four o'clock Friday - afternoon. Please reply at once. - - "Cordially yours, - - "Frederick Baker, M.D." - -Long before Miss Miller concluded reading this communication subdued -sounds of joy and excitement were heard from the girls, and the moment -it was finished Jane cried: - -"Did you know anything of this, Zan?" - -"Cross my heart--not a thing!" declared Zan, earnestly. - -"Did you know, Miss Miller?" questioned several girls, turning to the -Guide. - -"Not until Monday, when I was asked over the 'phone what I thought of -the plan, and I said it was splendid." - -"I s'pose we will accept, eh?" asked Anne Mason, anxiously. - -"Accept! Well I guess yes!" retorted Jane. - -"Chump Mark for Jenny!" laughed Elena. - -"Humph! Slang is imperative under such exciting conditions!" replied -Zan, glancing sympathetically at Jane. - -"Never mind that talk--wasting good time--hurry up and compose an answer -to the doctor's letter!" cried Hilda. - -"I'll take it home and hand it to Dad to save time," added Zan. - -"I suppose Elizabeth will go with us--shall I telephone Mrs. Remington -and find out?" asked the Guide. - -"If Fiji and Bob and Jack Hubert are going--as I s'pose they are--we -ought to invite Fred and Billy Remington, too," suggested Zan. - -"I think your mother has already attended to that. We will find out," -and Miss Miller took up the receiver. - -Then the girls learned that everyone at Mossy Crest had been invited, -but Mrs. Remington had an important Woodcraft Council that Friday night -and could not accept, but Elizabeth was delighted to go with Wako Tribe. - -"Now that's settled we can say 'yes' to the invitation," said Jane, -impatiently. - -It took but a few moments to write the note to Dr. Baker and then the -girls chattered excitedly again. - -"Got everything ready for the Gift Ceremony?" asked Zan. - -"I have," came from many, and "Most done," from others. - -And from the Guide: "I followed an original idea that promises to give -some fun but will not be a part of your ceremony. No need to ask -questions of me, as I do not intend to speak of my secret until the time -arrives." - -Thus warned beforehand, the girls giggled but asked no questions that -would bring down a significant silence upon them. - -Friday was a perfect October day and at four o'clock sharp the cars -filled with happy Woodcrafters left Dr. Baker's house. The ride through -the lovely country glowing in Autumn colours, and the mingled odours of -drying hay, woodsy scents, and late flowers made everyone feel good. - -Arrived at Wickeecheokee Farm, Mrs. Baker and the party of boys were -left at the house while the members of Wako Tribe continued on the road -that ran over the Big Bridge and passed Bill Sherwood's cottage. Here -the Woodcrafters jumped out and started for the Bluff that could be -plainly seen from the road. - -Bill and his wife, the resident farmers, welcomed the girls and the -former declared: "Looks like the good old Summertime wid all you'se -girls here again." - -"Chump Mark for your slang, Bill!" laughed Zan. - -And genial Bill, not knowing what a Chump Mark meant, grinned and -replied: "Ya'as, Miss San, it sure was a fine camp!" - -That night after dishes were cleared away, the boys brought the -chestnuts they had found and everyone crowded about the glowing embers -of the camp-fire and roasted the delicious nuts. Then the boys sang -glee-songs and the girls told Folk Stories till time for bed. - -"Now don't oversleep, girls," shouted Fiji, as the boys followed Mrs. -Baker away from the Bluff. - -"If you're not ready to start when we call in the morning, we'll just go -on without you," added Fred Remington. - -"We want to get bags and _bags_ of chestnuts in the morning, 'cause -we've got other things to do in the afternoon for the party to-morrow -night," explained Jack Hubert. - -"Oh say! Don't talk as if we were the sleepy-heads that you boys are! -Don't we know _you_!" scorned Jane, as Zan and she exchanged glances -which said as plain as could be: "Trying to pose with their sisters -present!" - -And so it proved. The girls were ready and impatiently calling or -signalling before the boys appeared on the trail coming through the -woods from the farm-house. - -That morning a great harvest of hickory nuts and chestnuts was gathered -and by the time the hunters were back at camp they were half-famished -from the crisp, cold air and bracing exercise. - -Fiji had seen some rabbits during the morning, and the moment he was at -the house began: - -"Mumsie, Fred brought his rifle and we're going hunting this afternoon. -The other little boys can do that work for you." - -"Indeed you're not! Rifle or no rifle, Fred is my guest and he will not -use the fire-arm while I have anything to do about it." - -"Oh pshaw, Mum! He knows everything about a gun! He and I won't go near -anyone else, and you know you can trust _me_!" coaxed Fiji. - -"Fred, get the rifle for me, please. I will return it when we get back -to the city. I know too much about promises to be careful. I think it is -perfectly safe for you to use the gun when you are with experienced -hunters or alone, but not with a party of boys who never held a rifle in -proper position before. This Winter I propose having the boys take -lessons in a shooting gallery I know of, and then it will be different." - -The wild dreams of bringing a deer or grizzly bear to camp, or at least -a small harmless rabbit, vanished for Fiji. Consequently, he was moody -when the other boys started out to gather the long creepers and branches -of brilliant Autumn leaves meant to decorate the house for the evening's -entertainment. - -But the effect of invigorating air and scrambling over ledges of rock -could not long keep anyone in a moody or sulky spell, and Fiji was the -liveliest of the lively boys before he returned home laden with the Fall -harvest of the woods. - -Mrs. Baker was invited to attend the afternoon Birthday Council, and at -three o'clock the Chief opened the meeting with the usual prayer and -other ceremonies. After Tally Reports were read, and _coups_ awarded to -some of the new members and a few of the old ones of the Band, the -feature of the Council began. - -"O Chief!" commenced the Guide, standing and saluting Zan. "I suggest -that we perform the Gift Ceremony of the Zui Indians in distributing -our gifts. Mrs. Remington loaned me the sacred otter skin for this -purpose and Elizabeth knows the rite by heart, so I propose that she act -the principal part with Zan as second." - -"How!" approved the Council members, so the Chief took up the tomtom. - -Sitting at one side of the Circle, dressed in her ceremonial robes, Zan -beat the tomtom while Elizabeth, also gorgeously arrayed in beaded -costume, representing Wako Tribe for that time, entered the Ring -hop-stepping, and followed by the other members. As each girl passed the -tomtom she paid tribute to the sacred instrument by an obeisance to the -East for reverence, to the South, playfully, to the West with awe, and -to the North for protection from all cold. Then they all sat in their -places about the Council Fire to hear the Guide speak. - -"To-day the braves of Wako Tribe won a great victory. The warriors of -another Tribe, dwelling in the camp made by White Men, over-slept and -were late on the war-path. But my Braves, led by our great Chief, were -ready with paint and weapons to fight the as yet unseen enemy. - -"With bags and baskets, we followed the trail which led to the sometime -hidden chestnuts, or again some were found lying in ambush in the long -wild grass. Many captives were made to bring back to camp for the fire -and feast which celebrate the victory to-night. Hidden rascals, so -surrounded by the sharp arrow points sticking from the chestnut burrs -that we had many a finger-wound from them, were finally scalped--their -burrs cracked open and the prisoners taken away. - -"Some of our warriors were struck on the head by falling shells from -hickory trees where the nuts had grown and awaited this opportunity to -drive away assailants. But with the very act of striking us with shells, -they also burst open, fell to earth, and thus were captured. - -"We left many empty worthless shells on the battlefield, but the -prisoners shall be roasted at our war-dance to-night!" - -As the Guide sat down a chorus of laughing "How's!" came from the girls -for the extemporaneous war-talk. - -At a signal sounded on the tomtom, Elizabeth came from the shelter of a -huge tree-trunk and entered the Council Ring in solemn manner. She -carried the Ceremonial Blanket which was upheld high with both hands in -front of her. This blanket was spread out upon the ground, the four -corners being four-square to the four imaginary corners of the earth and -the four winds. - -Standing on the rear edge of the blanket, Elizabeth bowed to the East, -then to the South, next to the West, and fourth to the North; last, to -Wakanda and to Maka Ina. - -She then took the peace-pipe from the Chief and wafted its smoke to the -four winds and placed the pipe on the blanket parallel to its front edge -near the circle of Woodcrafters, and near the front edge of the blanket. - -The Chief then brought the Sacred Otter Skin and placed it over -Elizabeth's out-stretched hands. This was presented to Wakanda and Maka -Ina, then a magic circle was woven all about the outside of the blanket -to ward off all evil spirits. - -This motion was done by waving the otter skin, as if swimming, holding -it about two feet above the ground, being careful to keep the skin -extended horizontally on top of the hands, which were held about -eighteen inches apart. The circle woven, the otter skin was placed upon -the blanket next to the pipe and parallel with it. - -The Chief then brought and presented to Elizabeth the bowl of Sacred -Corn Meal. This was lifted up and presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, -then corn meal was sprinkled on the pipe and otter skin, Elizabeth -kneeling on the blanket and moving on her knees to accomplish this -ceremony. - -"This magic circle now woven and complete may not be crossed by anyone -holding evil intentions," said Elizabeth solemnly. - -Now came the ceremony of distributing the gifts which were brought in -baskets or upon large grass mats and left near the blanket where the -Chief could reach them. As each gift was taken up, the Chief handed it -to Elizabeth who called out the name written on the package. Then the -receiver came up, bowed low before the blanket, and received the gift. -It was then opened, admired, and gratefully acknowledged, before the -recipient stepped backward to her seat in the Circle. - -When all the gifts were bestowed, Elizabeth bowed and lifted the sacred -otter skin and placed it across the bowl of corn meal. Next the pipe was -taken up and laid upon the otter skin and then all three were lifted in -both hands and held high above her head as she moved backward on her -knees to the rear edge of the blanket. There she rose to her feet and -departed with the bowl, otter skin, and pipe. - -After many exclamations of delight, surprise, and thanks to the girls -who had worked so well on the gifts, it was found that not one gift had -been bestowed by Miss Miller. This was the proper time for the Guide to -speak. - -"O Chief! If you and Elizabeth will accompany me to yon cabin I will see -that my share of the entertainment is finished." - -Wonderingly, the two girls went with the Guide and carried many -suggestive packages from the cabin to the Council Ring. Miss Miller -carried an enormous bundle, but no one could gain the slightest hint of -its contents. - -Laughing at the curious faces of the girls watching as the strings were -cut, the Guide unwrapped a red, white, and blue paper object that had a -long bamboo handle protruding from its midst of rioting colours. - -"O Brother Warriors, what can it be?" laughed Zan, looking at the girls. - -"O Chief, no one but Wakanda can answer that question!" retorted Jane, -creating a general laugh at her irreverent reply. - -"But Wakanda gave me the idea to make this and I hold the power to -explain it," said Miss Miller, rebukingly, even as she smiled at Jane's -retort. - -As she spoke she pushed down upon a wire and as the patriotic colours -spread out lo! there appeared a giant umbrella in the American colours. -The bamboo pole was the centre-rod and handle. - -"Goodness gracious me!" exclaimed Zan. "How under the sun did you ever -get it so large and to work so easy?" - -"I took an ancient umbrella for a foundation and then bound on the extra -reeds to the original ribs to make it longer and larger all round. Then -I glued the paper on the tops," explained the Guide. - -"It makes a great American shade for us," giggled Elena. - -"Ought to be labelled 'Made in America,'" added Jane. - -"But what I want to know is 'Why-for and Where-for?'" said Nita. - -"I see that no one suspects the plot, so I will have to tell," laughed -Miss Miller, sticking the bamboo handle in a wooden block having a clamp -to hold it upright--something like the tree holders at Christmas time. -But this holder permitted the upper section of the block to swing around -on a pivot fastened to the lower section-block. - -When the handle was securely fastened Miss Miller gave the huge umbrella -a twirl to see if it worked well, and still the girls stood wondering -what it all was for. - -"Now get busy, girls, and hand me the packages while I tie them on these -sticks," advised the Guide, attaching a small package as she spoke. - -"The heavy ones that will drag the ribs down too far we will spread on -the grass and tie a card with the name of the owner on the stick instead -of the bundle itself," continued Miss Miller, as a large box was handed -her. - -With many hands to help, the packages were soon in place, and then the -Guide said: - -"We will all stand in a circle about the umbrella and as I swing it -about we sing: - - "Merrily in this Council Ring, - Dancing gayly as we sing, - What will this umbrella bring - When we change to hippety-hop - And our Chief calls out to stop?" - -"We can dance any step we like, but the moment I call out 'Change!' you -all have to change your steps to a hippety-hop step; then when Zan calls -out 'Stop' you have to stop short where you are. I will call a name from -my list and whoever is opposite that name removes it from the umbrella. -If it happens to belong to the one removing it from the stick, well and -good, but if the one who opens it is not the owner, she holds it up to -view and calls out the name of the owner. At the same time she starts to -run around the ring on the _outside_, and the owner to whom the package -belongs must catch her. If she has not caught her in three rounds about -the ring, the hunter pays a forfeit to secure the prize. At the end of -our game we will redeem the forfeits." - -"What an original game!" exclaimed May. - -"But so childish!" complained Eleanor. - -"Pity we haven't more of the simple childlike pleasures," added Mrs. -Baker, who had overheard the remark. - -"Now then, girls--ready?" called the Guide, ignoring the criticism from -Eleanor. - -"Yes--all ready!" called most of the girls. - -The umbrella was given a swift twirl and it spun around while the girls -sang the rollicking verse, but Zan forgot to call "Change," so they -concluded the song and the umbrella still whirled, the paper packages -flying out to the extreme end of the strings. - -Everyone jeered at Zan for forgetting to call, and she promised to do -better next time. "I only did it that time to give you girls practise," -said she, laughingly. - -The chorus of denials might have deafened everyone had not the Guide -shouted: "Now, once again, girls! If Zan makes a second mistake she pays -two forfeits!" - -"How! How!" followed this agreeable statement, and the umbrella whirled -again. - -"Change!" shouted Zan at the word, and some of the girls did change the -step correctly while others were in doubt. - -"Here--a forfeit from each one of you!" demanded Zan, and the punishment -made the game more exciting. - -"The next time the same one mistakes she pays double!" added Zan, -placing the forfeits in a basket. But the girls were beginning to learn -how it was played, and the first game ended with everyone laughing or -jesting. Miss Miller had Mrs. Baker take a paper from a bag and read out -a name. - -"Elena Marsh," read Mrs. Baker. - -Everyone looked eagerly at the laden stick opposite her, and Jane -called: "Here it is, in front of me." - -"Jane removes it and runs about the circle with Elena after her," added -Miss Miller. - -Twice around the ring flew Jane, and Elena, fleet-footed, after her, -until in the third round the pursuer caught up and held her captive. - -Great interest was shown as Elena opened the package and showed a small -box of French pastels. - -"Oh!" sighed she in ecstasy, "I've wanted one of these ever since I was -born!" - -Everyone laughed and Zan added: "I bet you daubed and designed through -many incarnations before this present one." - -"Come ahead, girls! I want to see if Miss Miller gave me a new -riding-habit--I want one badly!" called Jane. - -So with laughing and merriment, the second whirl began. - -It happened to be Edith Remington's name that was chosen, and the -package stopped directly opposite the child, so with trembling fingers -she untied the string and found a box of water-colours and all the -accessories to work with. - -"Oh, Miss Miller, I'm so much obliged to you!" exclaimed the delighted -little girl, making a quaint curtsey. - -The game continued, some claimants having to pay forfeits and some -winning the award, until all were called out. The gifts were very -appropriate for each one and afforded much pleasure; but Zan had a -grievance. - -"Miss Miller, I think you're real mean not to give us a chance to have -something on the umbrella for you, too." - -"That wasn't my fault, Zan. I thought of the umbrella and made it, but -your mother insisted upon buying the gifts. She brought them to the farm -all wrapped and ready to distribute." - -"It isn't like mother to forget anyone--Mumsie, where is Miss Miller's -gift?" shouted Zan, as she saw her mother returning from the cabin. - -"Right here! It was so heavy it would have broken down the carefully -built up umbrella, so I left it for the last gift." - -The large flat package was handed to the Guide, who took it with -amazement in her eyes, for she had not expected anything. Midst the -laughter of her girls, the Guide carried the heavy parcel to the rustic -table and began opening the outside paper. - -She found another well-tied paper covering within and tried to unknot -the string. But it had to be cut, as it was so twisted and bound about -the package. - -Inside this wrapper was still another, and Mrs. Baker cried: "That Fiji! -I told him to wrap the box up carefully and I shouldn't wonder but what -he used as many papers as he does on April Fool's Day!" - -After more than a dozen wrappers, each tied well and knotted with heavy -twine, had been removed, the last paper was cut away. The Guide took out -a japanned-tin box and upon opening it the Woodcrafters all said "Ah!" - -There was a complete set of pyrography tools, a roll of stencilled -Woodcraft designs (made by Elizabeth Remington), and transfer paper, -copying inks, etc. - -"Not an item forgotten--even a bottle of alcohol for the fuel!" cried -Miss Miller, too surprised to remember to thank Mrs. Baker. - -The girls watched and smiled in sympathy, and suddenly, as the Guide -remembered she had not expressed her gratitude, they all burst out -laughing at her expense. - -After many apologies and profuse thanks, she added: "Such a teacher of -morals and manners to these girls!" - -As usual, Nita was called upon to dance and the Storm Cloud was done so -gracefully by her that the audience said she should be given an extra -dish of ice-cream for dessert that night. - -When the forfeits had been paid off it was time to cook camp-supper. -Before they were ready to sit and sup, however, the boys were heard -shouting in the woods, and Miss Miller said: - -"Suppose we invite the boys to supper, as we are going to be their -guests to-night at the house?" - -A merry group sat about the great flat rock that evening while Mrs. -Baker and the Guide waited on the hungry Woodcrafters. The girls told -about the umbrella and the boys of their mountain hike. - -The dishes cleared away, they all marched through the woods in the -gloaming, and reached the house ready for more sport. Many exclamations -of surprise and admiration came from the girls as they saw the way the -boys had spent their afternoon. - -Brightly coloured foliage festooned the doors, window-casings, and -pictures of the large living-room. Pumpkins shed subdued light from the -candles within their grinning faces. Red peppers, golden corn on stalks, -and tall grasses formed decorations in the corners of the room. Black -paper witches, bats, and yowling cats swung from invisible threads from -the beams of the ceiling, and many other Hallow E'en ideas were carried -out. - -Regular Hallow E'en games were played at first, then Fred called for the -Jack Horner Pie he had spied in the kitchen. - -"Well, then, help me carry it in," laughed Mrs. Baker. - -Shortly they were seen carrying in the galvanized wash-tub that had been -used for the pie-tin. A brown pie-crust fitted over the top of it, but -no one knew what was under the crust. "How under the sun did you bake -it?" wondered Zan. - -"That's a culinary secret!" laughed Mrs. Baker. - -"Tell us, so we can enter the recipe in the Tally," replied Elena, also -laughing. - -"I made the pastry rather moist and rolled it out into a great sheet and -placed it on the wooden bread-board. The oven was very hot and after the -sheet of dough had been in it a few moments it baked and browned enough -to spread it over the tub. I pinched down the edges to the tin, and -there you are! Not to be eaten, however, for you will find it too -pasty." - -The strings that came up through the pie-crust led to objects hidden in -the tub of flour. And as each player took a string to hold as his prize, -every string was soon claimed. When the crust was broken and the prizes -drawn from the flour, the players found many funny gifts. Great was the -Bedlam when tin horns, rattles, and "crackers" began sounding -everywhere. - -The young folks then played other games and ended with a peanut hunt -that led and misled many hunters to every corner of the house in search -of a hidden peanut. - -"It must be time for refreshments, Mumsie," said Bob, at last. - -"All right, Son, call them all to the feast," laughed Mrs. Baker. - -As the group of merry-makers sat about the room munching sandwiches, -Jane said, "Mrs. Baker, tell us how you made these delicious fillings. -We'll write it down and make some too." - -"I took a can of salmon and chopped it well with soft cream cheese. This -I did at home and brought it here in a glass jar. It is very good on -butter-thins, as you just said. - -"The speckled sandwich-fillings are made of cream cheese, chopped -olives, a bit of pimento, and seasoning. Thin slices of dark rye bread -are best for this filling. - -"Of course, you all know the walnut and fig filling--you simply chop -nuts with cream cheese for the first kind, and chop figs, peanut butter, -and a bit of rich cream for the second kind." As Mrs. Baker concluded, -another girl called out: - -"Tell us how you made this lemonade! I never tasted better." - -"I ran the lemon peel through a meat-chopper with the lemon pulp. I use -about one-quarter peel and the pulp of one lemon to the juice of every -three lemons. If the juice of one orange and a lime is added to every -ten lemons, it flavours the product much better. Sometimes a bit of -Maraschino adds a peculiar flavour, but we never use it for the -children." - -The party ended with fortune-telling, with apple-parings, sailing walnut -shells across the tub of water, risking noses and teeth at biting on -swinging apples, and other familiar games. - -The next day being Sunday, the boys and girls hiked over the -mountain-side and Zan pointed out to the others the place where the -snake frightened the girls that Summer, and the road where Nita was -caught in a thunder-storm. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN--INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT - - -November ushered itself in with cold and penetrating fogs, so that the -girls found it pleasanter to hold meetings at each other's houses or in -the gymnasium, instead of out-of-doors. At the indoor meetings they -learned the application of Woodcraft ideas and principles to meet their -needs of everyday life. - -Miss Miller had them take up knitting for the soldiers and required them -to do a certain stint every day. They also completed the bead bandings -for their ceremonial costumes. Nita loaned the Guide the pattern for a -dancing costume and each girl cut out, fitted, and made, of cheap cotton -crpe bloomers, blouse, and skirt for dancing. - -Besides designing belts, banding, and costumes, the girls began regular -weekly lessons with Elizabeth as teacher, in sketching and designing. -Elizabeth attended a New York School of Design and could tell the girls -whatever she had learned. Many pretty patterns in cross-stitch and other -work were thus made and applied to use. - - -[Illustration: _ZAN'S CEREMONIAL COSTUME._] - - -"I'm going to ask Dad to send me to school next Winter," declared Jane, -who enjoyed the work immensely. - -"And Elena, Nita, and May ought to go, too," added Miss Miller, admiring -the dainty work done by these girls. - -One afternoon the Guide said: "Girls, have any of you entered blue -prints in your Tally Books?" - -No one had, so she added: "Just as soon as Spring comes with its first -flowers, I want you to start a blue print album. I think it is one of -the most interesting and instructive of pursuits. I have a book that I -completed during a trip through the Canadian Northwest, and I wouldn't -sell those blue prints for any price--they are so beautiful and the wild -flowers so interesting." - -The Saturdays during November were spent in New York, the Guide taking -the girls to the splendid public libraries; lectures illustrated with -motion pictures were given by white men who had spent many years with -the Indians; and the unusual series of talks given at the Museum on -Central Park West and 79th Street proved most interesting. Here also the -Woodcrafters saw life-sized groups of Indians in wax, the individual -costumes and customs of each Tribe being faithfully depicted by the -clothes, items of camping outfits, and other things. In these -exhibitions the girls found many suggestions that they could apply to -pottery work, bead work, and other things pertaining to Indian life. - -One afternoon, while visiting the large library on the corner of Fifth -Avenue and 42nd Street, Miss Miller said: "Who knows where the first -public library was founded--and when?" - -No one knew, so the Guide told them. - -"The first on record--there may have been private collections then as -now, but it was not recorded--was founded at Athens by Hipparchus in 526 -B. C. - -"The second of note was founded at Alexandria by Ptolemy Philadelphus, -but it was burnt when Julius Caesar set fire to Alexandria in 47 B. C. -It is said that 400,000 rare and valuable books were destroyed in that -disaster. - -"A second library was formed from the remains of the books in this first -one, and this second was reputed to have held over 700,000 volumes, but -this was captured by the Saracens who used the books for fuel instead of -working to gather wood. - -"In 1446 A. D. the next large library was formed and from that time on -collections of important books were made and offered to the public for -free use." - -Such comments by Miss Miller always made the visits to public buildings -very interesting to the girls, who acquired a general knowledge of -things worth knowing in this manner. - -One Saturday before the weather was too cold, they all went to Bedloe's -Island, now renamed Liberty Island, in New York Harbour. Here they -climbed the endless round of narrow iron steps until they regretted -having started the ascent. But there was no turning back, as the descent -was on the other side and no one could go down when once started up. - -Having wearily climbed to the crown of the head in the Liberty Goddess -Statue, they were disappointed at not finding the view any better than -that seen from the balcony where the elevator stopped, but which was -wonderful from that vantage point. From the Statue they walked about the -Island and then took the small boat back to Battery Park. - -The Aquarium was visited next, and here the girls found many odd and -interesting fish. One funny fish, grey in colour and about fifteen -inches in length, kept bumping his nose against the glass side as if to -come through. At each bump he slid back in the water and tried again. - -"'Constant dripping wears the rock away,'" said Zan, watching him come -back again and again to strike the glass. - -"He is only playing tag with his nose," explained Jane. - -"But why should he always keep his mouth open half-way, as if he had -difficulty in breathing?" asked Nita. - -"Maybe he has--that constant bumping on his nose will cause a swelling -and close up the nostrils," ventured Elena. - -"Oh, I have it!" cried Zan, nodding her head vigourously. "The poor -thing has asthma from that damp atmosphere! He gasps through his open -mouth and tries to break down the screen of glass to get more air!" - -This explanation brought a laugh not only from the girls who crowded -about the glass case, but from some observers who also stood watching -the queer fish. - -Just before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Remington invited Wickeecheokee Band to -spend the week-end in camp in the woods back of the house. Fred's Tribe -would also camp there, and it was thought a good time to hold contests -between the boys and the girls. - -The girls hailed the treat with many varied expressions, but the days -immediately preceding the Holidays grew so cold that most mothers -objected to having the girls sleep out in the open. - -"They can camp in the Council House," said Mrs. Remington over the -telephone, when Miss Miller told her of the trouble. - -"Oh, yes, yes!" cried everyone at that. - -Beaded Ceremonial Costumes were finished but had not yet had an -opportunity to be worn, so these were packed in the suit-cases with -head-bands, moccasins, _coup_-sticks, and many other fine articles of -Indian costume. - -Wednesday was a beautiful day but so cold that Dr. Baker said he was -relieved to know the girls would be in the Council House at night. The -boys refused to be so molly-coddled, they averred, and so they camped -out in the woods. However, Mrs. Remington whispered to the girls the -next morning that Fred had made use of two Sibley stoves brought from -Maine for camp use. - -"There will be skating on the lake if we have another day and night of -this cold," said Mr. Remington, rubbing his ears to keep up the -circulation as he stood in front of the Council House early Thursday -morning. - -"I say, girls! Want your picture took? Get into your robes and pose out -in the sun, if you do!" shouted Elizabeth, from the porch of the house. - -It did not take long for the Woodcrafters to change to their Woodcraft -costumes and when they ran over to the group of pine trees where -Elizabeth stood waiting, they found the boys had decorated the place -with totems, shields, and _coup_-sticks to create a genuine Woodcraft -atmosphere. - -Zan's costume, with its picturisation of the camp on the farm, was -pronounced the handsomest of all, although Elena's ran a close second. -So these two girls were selected for individual pictures which could be -used in the Tally Book of the Tribe. Zan held Elizabeth's _coup_-stick, -her own only having a few feathers on it, and the former being -well-decorated by marks of achievement, for Elizabeth was a zealous -Woodcrafter. - -Thanksgiving dinner was not to be served until four that afternoon, and -it was only ten when many of the campers began to wish it was late -afternoon. Mrs. Remington was a perfect hostess and, having five healthy -children, she suspected the gnawings under many belts. Hence her next -suggestion: - -"Fred, why don't you boys invite the girls to dinner at your camp in the -woods?" - -"How!" eagerly chorused the girls. - -"Why, so we will, if the girls will bring the grub over from the barn. -We haven't enough to go around such a crowd." - -Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Remington added: "If I was a Black Bear, I'd -scout for victuals and not expect the squaws to bring their own feast!" - -Fred understood his mother only too well, and he quickly took the hint, -calling Fiji to help him. In another moment the two had disappeared in -the woods and were seen no more for some time. The others walked slowly -back to the Council House to change the beaded costumes to camp clothes -again. - -About the time the girls were ready to follow the hosts to the camp in -the woods, Fred and Fiji were seen crossing the field, carrying heavy -baskets on their arms and bags suspended over their shoulders. - -"They must have scouted, Mother!" laughed Mr. Remington. - -And "mother" nodded understandingly and laughed also. - -At camp the Woodcrafters found Fred and Fiji unpacking boiled ham, -potatoes, pickles and preserves, bread, a pie, and other edibles. In the -bag that had been slung over Fiji's back was a stone crock filled with -delicious cookies still warm. - -"There girls, the cookies will hold you together while we roast potatoes -and get the lunch ready," said Fred. - -"Um-m! I want this recipe from someone to put in our book. These are the -best cookies I ever tasted," said Elena. - -"Someone can tell you the recipe right now, Elena. It happens to be my -own that Mrs. Remington tried," laughed Miss Miller. - -"Tell us, then, while I write it down," urged Elena, with a pencil and -scrap of paper ready for use. - -"To one-half cup of butter I use one-half cup of lard and one-half cup -of sugar. Two eggs, one level tablespoon each of ginger, cinnamon, and -soda, with enough flour to roll out the dough easily. - -"Cream the butter and lard together first, then add the sugar gradually. -When the eggs are well beaten I add them. The spices and soda are mixed -with two cups of flour and sifted into the batter. I use enough flour so -the dough will roll out well. Cut them with a biscuit cutter and bake in -a quick oven. Last of all, lock safely away in a secret vault where -children cannot follow the scent and eat them up before the cook has -washed the tins that the cookies were baked in." - -The girls laughed at the last part of the recipe and Fred said it was -the most important if cookies were to be kept on hand. - -After the stolen provender was thoroughly enjoyed by the hosts and -guests in camp, the boys entertained the girls with relay races, Deer -Hunts, Bat Ball, and a Bear Spearing Contest. - -Just as the bear was killed by Fred, the gong sounded from the house -calling the people to the Thanksgiving Dinner--the greatest contest of -the day, Billy said. - -The wide rear verandah of the Remington house was inclosed in glass in -the Winter, and being ten feet wide and extending across the entire back -of the house, it afforded an excellent place for the dinner. The table, -made of four fifteen-inch-wide planks eighteen feet in length, placed on -wooden horses, was covered with two long table-cloths. Benches made of -wide planks also resting on boxes provided enough seats for all. - -Mose, the family fixture who plays so important a rle in the "Woodcraft -Boys at Sunset Island" (the island being the Remingtons' Summer resort -off the coast of Maine), bossed the serving of the dinner. He had been -given charge of Mary, the upstairs girl, and Katy the kitchen maid, and -these, with Anna the governess, proved efficient to wait on the hungry -horde of children. - -Strange, however, that after that dinner not one of the Woodcrafters -felt like dancing an Indian War Dance to entertain others! - -During the night the temperature grew warmer and the sky clouded over -with snow-clouds. Early Friday morning a very light snow began falling, -but grew heavier until noon, when great gusts of snow were swept across -the valley at every fresh hurricane of wind. All day Friday and most of -Friday night, the snow continued falling, but the Woodcrafters cared -little about that when they were having such a jolly time indoors. They -were entertaining the Black Bears in the Council House, and many a wild -shout echoed up through the loft, as a Bear caught a Wako Triber in a -war-dance. - -Before ten o'clock the boys were summoned to go to camp, and much -against their inclinations to leave the cosy fire in the chimney-place -of the Council House, they started out in the driving snow to plough -over the field to their cold and cheerless camp. - -In the early morning, however, the sun sparkled on the glistening snow -and the Woodcraft girls were awakened by a fusillade of snow-balls -striking the side of the barn, some of the soft snow falling through the -opened windows and scattering over the faces of the sleepy girls. - -They were soon up and dressed and out-doors to return the cold welcome -given by the Black Bears. The snow-balls flew back and forth rapidly, -until Fred had an idea. - -"I say! What's the matter with having a regular fight! Build a fort and -choose up sides?" - -"Down on the flats by the road-side!" added Billy, pointing to the -low-land that fronted the lawns by the private road. - -"Just the thing!" exclaimed Fiji. - -"Will you girls help?" asked Jack Hubert. - -The girls looked at the Guide for approval, and she, seeing the gleam of -battle shining from those many eyes, laughed. - -"No ice to be packed in the balls, remember!" warned the Guide, trying -to be severe. - -"Of course not!" agreed Bobby Baker. - -"And no hard-packed snow, either. Just the soft feathery kind that gets -down your back and blinds your eyes," added Miss Miller, knowing well -how to disguise her advice and make it sound enticing to the boys. - -It took full two hours to complete the great fort and build refuges like -pockets in the snow-wall, where daring scouts venturing away from the -army could find temporary protection. While the boys were building the -fort the girls rolled great piles of snow ammunition for both sides to -use when the battle should rage. - -Then came the commandeering of the two sides. Fred gallantly offered his -services to Wako Tribe, while Fiji Baker undertook to command the boys' -side. As there were but eleven girls and seventeen boys, some of the -surplus male contingent had to come over to join the girls' side. - -Then began preliminary tactics, followed by an engagement of the main -armies. This was followed by the most active fighters running back and -forth to plant a well-aimed shot whenever they discovered an unprotected -head or body for a target. The battle waged for more than an hour, first -one side winning a victory, then the other side, but at last Fiji's side -showed signs of defeat, and soon was retreating at full speed. The shots -fell so fast and furious at that, that the boys were almost routed when -Fiji made a grand rally. - -To have it said that a lot of girls were victorious over the Black Bears -or Grey Foxes was not to be thought of, so the General spurred his -fighters back again to try and win the lost trench, but Fred was a fine -general, too, and he was quick to take advantage of the other's mistake -in leaving the protection of the fort. - -In less than half an hour's time after Fiji rallied his men, the fort -was demolished, most of Fiji's men were prisoners, and the girls were -triumphant! The captives then had to submit to having their faces well -washed in the soft cold snow. - -That was a glorious day and one to be remembered, for not only were -merry faces as red as Baldwin apples and hands swollen and purple from -handling much snow, but the Remington larder suffered from such secret -raids that the cook finally stumped up to the library to "give notice." - -Mose intercepted her, however, and tried to pacify her with the news -that the visitors would soon go home, and "anyway, Thanksgivin' onny -comes once a year, Maria!" - -"Agh! G'wan! Don't Oi know this fam'ly? It's foriver havin' comp'ny an' -eatin' me out av iverything Oi cook! It's cook, _cook_, _COOK_ aul the -toime an' niver a crumb to eat!" declared Maria. - -"But just think, Maria, how soon this thing will have to stop. The high -cost of livin' and the laws made by the President won't let us eat much -anny more, an' you'll have an easy time, then," said Mose, trying to -placate the angry cook. - -"An' it's good wages an' plenty of my friends to visit me to tay," said -Maria, thoughtfully, so Mose knew he had won a different kind of battle -than the one fought on the Flats with snow. - -After a red-hot luncheon that partly thawed out the half-frozen -warriors, Mrs. Remington asked if they would like to take a sleigh-ride -in a great farmer's sleigh that afternoon. The man called twice a week -to deliver eggs, butter, and chickens from his farm some miles in the -country, and would be glad to have the extra fee offered for driving a -party of young folks on a joy-ride. - -That evening was spent in quiet ways, as everyone felt weary and ready -for bed the moment it could reasonably be suggested. - -The rest of the visit was devoted to indoor pastimes, as a thaw set in -and made the ground too wet and muddy for any games or fun on the lawn. - -Then came the time for good-byes and the Woodcrafters were carried away, -leaving a sense of loneliness with the family where they had had such a -good time. - -December came in with much wind and snow so that all hope of week-end -camps was at low ebb. But the girls found plenty of work to do and the -applicants for the second Band were ready to qualify, and attention had -to be paid to this important matter. - -Most of the girls applying for membership were so anxious to belong to -Wako Tribe that it seemed hard to deny any one of them. But the rules in -the Manual were to be followed and some had to be left out. Hence the -choosing of the crowd of girls that had asked for admission was to be -done by drawing lots. - -The names of the girls were written on slips of paper and these were -folded up into small cubes, then shaken well in a covered tin. The Guide -drew forth the first ten papers and these were the ones drawn to form -the second Band--Suwanee, it was called. - -The ten girls selected were delighted, but the others half cried with -bitter disappointment, so that the Guide agreed to ask Mrs. Baker to -start a new Band for them which would eventually grow into a Tribe of -its own. And this promise soothed the wounded hearts of the unfortunate -ones. - -Although the improvement in Eleanor Wilbur had been so slow that none of -her daily associates had noticed it, still it was constantly going on, -so that when Ethel Clifford returned from the Californian trip she -exclaimed at the great change in the girl. - -"Why, Miss Miller, it doesn't seem possible! Really, can't you see the -improvement?" said the girl. - -"Now that you mention some small things, I can see where she has been -helped, but I almost gave up in despair several times, and I'd rather -you would not let her hear of this conversation as she is not 'out of -the woods' yet, by any means," said Miss Miller. - -Nevertheless, it was as Ethel had said: there was a change for the -higher and better life that was making an impression in Eleanor's -character and desires, and these in time would overcome her former -weaknesses. - -That Winter, needle-craft was taken up and many practical as well as -beautiful things were made by the girls. The Christmas-tide gave each -one plenty to do, as they planned to make all their gifts this year with -as little cost in money as possible. And these gifts were all beautiful -and artistic, as well as sensible and useful articles. - -Not a mother or father of these girls but felt proud to show the gifts -made by their daughters that Christmas, and many a parent thanked Miss -Miller for the patience and time she had devoted to the Woodcrafters to -bring them to this point in their education and improvement of -character. - -In January the Guide suggested that an entirely new departure be taken -up before Spring. - -"I didn't think there was anything more on earth that we could learn," -said May, laughing. - -"Now that we have exhausted all the foolishness, maybe we will start on -something worth while," said Eleanor. - -"Just what I have in mind, Eleanor. I shall have you all start practical -and cumbersome work this time," smiled Miss Miller, but to the eager -questions of the girls, she maintained strict silence, merely saying: - -"'Sufficient unto the day'--then you'll see what I have in mind for -you." - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN--WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK - - -"Girls, how many are willing to start making a tent?" said the Guide, at -the next meeting in the gymnasium. - -"A tent! Good gracious!" exclaimed Zan, while the other girls echoed -their Chief's amazement. - -"Easy as hemming a towel, if you know how," laughed Miss Miller. - -"It sounds like a stupendous work, but I suppose Miss Miller will -explain it so that a child like Teddy Remington can sit down and make -one every day," laughed Jane. - -"If you will try I will order the material to-day and show you how to -begin the work," urged the Guide. - -"All right, go ahead! I'm willing to sew my fingers to the bone if you -say so," sighed Zan, who detested sewing. - -The other girls laughed and Miss Miller immediately took up the -telephone receiver and called up a department store. Her conversation -showed that she had already priced materials and had all information at -hand to start the tents without delay. - -"Now, then, the stuff will be here Monday morning and we can start any -time you like. We will allow fifteen yards of stuff for each tent. Four -of you can work on one, for the completed tent will accommodate four -cots. There being enough girls to work on five tents, I have ordered the -material for five." - -Once launched on this unusual task, the girls felt a certain pride in -saying, "We are making our own tents for camp, you know," and when they -heard the large bundle of canvas had arrived they were eager to work. - -"First I will cut two strips of the goods, each strip being thirteen -feet long. Then lap the selvage of one side over the other, about a -quarter of an inch, and sew it down firmly with back-stitching. If we -had a machine it would be better still. There must be a double row of -stitching in case one row breaks in a strain or sudden yank. - -"Now we will spread the whole piece out flat on the floor and fold over -each end crosswise of the long strip toward the centre, and about two -feet three inches from each end. - -"These seams must be stitched or double-seamed on the folds all the way -down each fold, about three or four inches in from the outer edge of the -fold. As this will be the place where the tent-ropes are fastened, you -can stitch it over and over four or five times, for it will have -considerable strain come on it. - -"The two unfinished ends of the strips will then have a narrow hem which -will complete the roof and sides of the tent. "Cut the rest of the cloth -into two strips about two feet and seven inches long for the front and -back ends of the tent. Each of these is to be cut into two pieces with a -slanting cut running from a side two feet one inch at one end to a point -two feet one inch on the other side. - -"The sharp pointed corners are cut off by folding over the cloth three -inches from the edge and by cutting the first slanting edge. You can -save these pieces to use for patches when you reinforce the roof at the -ends of the ridge-pole. - -"Now lay the two pieces together and lap so the points at the top are in -the same position. Stitch down one selvage for a length of two feet and -then straight across to the other selvage, and up to the top again. - -"The section left loose is for a door-flap and tapes are to be sewed at -places a foot from the bottom and also two feet up from the bottom. Hem -each end of bottom and then sew the edges of the sides and slanting top -to the sides and roof of the tent-body. - -"For the ropes, you have to cut holes about half an inch in diameter -right through the folds you stitched down on each side of the roof -section. These holes can be bound or button-holed with a string, or -those who prefer can use metal eyelets. - -"You will need about eight feet of tent-rope for each pole, and a loop -of rope should be sewed at the bottom of the tent below each hole to -hold down the sides. - -"When the tent is completed it should be raised between two straight -tree trunks about five or six feet high, or two poles about the same -height. A pole about six feet long will answer for the ridge-pole. When -these are up, drive some pegs slant-ways into the ground about three -feet away from each side of the tent, to fasten the ropes to, and then -drive more pegs slant-ways for the loops of rope to slip over and hold -firm. - -"Now you will have a neat little tent ready for camping, but two -important things still remain to be done--can anyone tell me what they -are?" asked Miss Miller, as she concluded reading the directions she had -written down on a paper. - -The girls thought earnestly for a time, but no one seemed to grasp the -need of anything else. Finally the Guide said: - -"What would happen in case of a heavy rain-storm?" - -"Oh, we must dig a trench about the outside for rain!" cried Zan, -suddenly realising this important factor in camping. - -"Yes, and a floor must be laid to keep us dry from the damp ground!" -added Jane. - -"I had in mind the gutter for rainwater, but the floor is an important -detail, too. I have a second item that is as important as either of the -others, though," continued Miss Miller. - -"Miss Miller," now said Elizabeth Remington, who was visiting the Tribe -that afternoon, "If you select a spot high and dry on top of a knoll or -hill where the sides carry water down away from your tent, you will not -need to trench the circle to draw off rain from the ground where your -tent stands. It is a natural water-shed." - -"Ah, I see Elizabeth is a more experienced camper than I am, and I admit -that she is better informed than I in this case," said the Guide, -bowing. - -"Another good plan, Miss Miller, is to select a place where the sun can -shine in in the morning and dry out dampness from the cots and inside of -the tent. In case you can't find a place with a natural water-shed in -the ground, then a trench must be dug about a foot wide and nine inches -deep, according to the size of your tent. I am figuring on this size -tent. This trench should be led away from the doorway just as a leader -on a roof carries the water from the building. Also dig a canal for some -distance away from the tent to keep the water from backing up when there -are sudden heavy showers. Otherwise, your place will be flooded from the -over-flow of the trench." - -"Fine! Tell us some more, Elizabeth," said the Guide. - -"Well, mother has experimented and found that in tents made of such thin -stuff as you have here, or with duck or ticking, it is advisable to -water-proof it before using in camp." - -"That was the second point I wanted the girls to find out and add to the -rules," said Miss Miller, glad to hear the visitor was so well-versed in -this work. "Oh, have Betsy tell us how to do it!" cried several girls. - -"I have heard but forgotten. Now I'll get mother to write down the rules -and bring it to you another time," said Elizabeth, sorry she could not -oblige the Woodcrafters. - -"And if anyone here wishes to know the secret before our next meeting, -let her read Edward Stewart White's 'Forest,' or Seton's 'Woodcraft -Book,' or the 'Boy Scout Manual,'," added the Guide. - -"They also explain how to make tepees, Miss Miller," said Elizabeth. - -"Yes, and a tepee is simpler to make than a tent, but this style tent is -much roomier and so serviceable." - -That meeting adjourned very promptly as the girls were not as eager to -remain late sewing on heavy material as they were when there was dancing -or singing. - -But the tents were completed in time, and very proud the Woodcrafters -felt of the great achievement. - -During January, Miss Miller took them to many out-of-town points of -interest. Almost every Saturday was spent somewhere where the girls -learned many new historical facts, or were able to place incidents heard -of in connection with the place visited. - -Thus, they visited Edgar Allan Poe's cottage and the old Revolutionary -Mansions left in certain localities of New York. - -They took the Hudson Tube to Fulton Street, thence the Broadway subway -to 2O7th Street. Here they took a cross-town car to Fordham Road and -walked north along the Concourse to Poe Park. The cottage where Poe -lived and wrote many of his famous poems is standing here, and directly -opposite the cottage is a bust of Poe, erected on the centenary of his -birth, January 19th, 1909. - -Another trip that cost very little and was most interesting was a visit -to Governor's Island. The boat left the Battery, and on the Island they -visited the Military Museum, the Military Prison, the Abandoned Fort, -and the Aviation Station. An aeroplane rose and practised even while the -Tribe watched it from the Field. - -Another Saturday, the Guide started them early in the morning and they -visited Sing Sing, watching the men at work at their trades and seeing -the wonderful law and discipline maintained there. On the way back from -Ossining, they trolleyed to Dobbs' Ferry and visited the old Washington -Headquarters there. It has been purchased and restored to its original -interesting state by a loyal American Patriot, who discovered in time -that a brewery was negotiating to purchase the estate and turn it into a -road-house. Thanks to the generous Patriot, such a desecration was -spared the Nation! - -One of the outings included visits to historical places in Brooklyn, and -the girls were surprised to find many relics of the Revolutionary period -still in good order in various sections of this city. - -Beginning with February, Mrs. Remington expressed a wish to visit a -Council at the Gymnasium and suggest some work to the girls. They -immediately replied with an enthusiastic invitation for her to visit -them Friday evening. - -After preliminaries were disposed of, Mrs. Remington addressed the -Tribe. - -"Now that you girls have your two Bands in good standing and have a -Charter from the League authorising you to be established as Wako Tribe, -your next step should be to organise a Little Lodge. - -"It behooves a first-class Tribe in good standing to start and supervise -a Little Lodge as soon as is reasonable. These little ones can range in -age from three to twelve, and are called 'Brownies.' They usually are -the sisters and brothers or friends of the Big Lodge members. Thus the -little children are early taught to be good citizens--as Woodcraft -teaches everyone that. - -"With the affectionate help from older girls, and the association with -and experience from Big Lodges, these Brownies soon acquire an aptness -for the things taught their elders. My own little ones, Billy, Edith, -and Teddy, have acquired all they know to-day from watching us at home, -or mimicking the Woodcraft things they see accomplished by my Tribe, or -the Black Bears. - -"I have been thinking that my three children, who are not yet twelve, -can join your Little Lodge and be of great help to you in successfully -founding a Brownie Band of your Tribe. I asked them what they thought of -it, and they are delighted with the prospect." - -The Woodcraft girls heartily applauded this idea and Miss Miller thought -it a splendid suggestion. She saw the great possibilities it would offer -the girls to train themselves in patience, sacrifice, and many other -qualities that make for good womanhood. - -In an aside to Mrs. Remington she whispered: "Nothing like the -responsibility of children to bring out dormant strength of character in -a girl!" - -"Exactly! That is why this plan was adopted for Big Lodge Girls." - -"We have been discussing this novel plan and we all wish to ask some -questions," now announced the Chief. - -"The meeting is open for questions," said the Guide. - -"Can my brother Paul join?" asked Hilda. - -"Sure--we'll soon teach him to quit his peevish ways," replied Zan, -frank but thoughtless in her answer. - -Hilda instantly closed her lips tight and looked highly insulted. "The -idea of Zan Baker speaking like that of our little Paul!" said she to -Nita. - -"'Little Paul' is almost as old as Billy Remington, but see the awful -difference," retorted Nita, for she disliked the selfish, whining boy as -heartily as Zan did. - -Hilda turned away but felt ill-treated by her friends. Then Jane Hubert -said: - -"Maybe my little cousin Dot Hubert will join! Goodness knows she needs -this training almost as much as Paul does." - -Some of the girls giggled, for they had noticed Hilda's offended manner, -but Miss Miller quickly added: - -"With the three little Remingtons, that will make five. We are -progressing splendidly, girls." - -"And I believe I can interest my sister in this Lodge so that Betty and -Tammy Fullerton will be allowed to join the Band," ventured Mrs. -Remington. - -"How old are they?" eagerly asked the girls. - -"Tammy is only a little past three years, and Betty is about seven. Our -Teddy is four, Dot Hubert is eight, Edith is nine, Paul is almost -eleven, and Billy past eleven, so you see you have a fine range of ages -to experiment with." - -"Oh, I'm crazy to see them all together and try to have them to do some -Woodcraft stunts!" cried Zan, clasping her hands in delight. - -"Let's hope your enthusiasm keeps up!" grumbled Eleanor, who had not -favoured the new departure very much. - -The next week the Brownies all attended the weekly meeting and the -ceremony of enrolling them as a Little Lodge took place. But as this is -all told in detail in the story called "Little Woodcrafters' Book," in -which the cares and troubles of the self-appointed Woodcraft mothers -fill more than 350 pages and are illustrated by numerous pictures, we -will omit repeating it in this volume. - -With the advent of the Brownies and the conversion of seven active -little bundles of mischief into becoming normal, ambitious, -_coup_-winning Woodcrafters, the time flew by as if on wings. Every -spare moment found from regular studies and Woodcraft work was filled in -by attending to a Brownie need. - -Thus February, March, and April came and passed like a mist before the -rising sun, and the month of May was ushered in and found the five -original girls of Wako Tribe so completely absorbed with the progress -the Brownies were making that the other members were ignored and left to -work as best they could with the help they could find in the Manual or -from Miss Miller. - -The Guide saw the unexpected schism created in the ranks of the Tribe, -but she had to use utmost wisdom in handling this peculiar -situation--all interest shown the Little Lodge by the five girls, and a -lack of concern about the new members of their own Big Lodge. - -The problem was mentioned to Mrs. Remington and that lady suggested a -visit to Council House where Wako Tribe could hold a Grand Council and -exhibit work accomplished during the Winter. This was planned to draw -the factions together again by a mutual pride and interest in their -Tribe activities. - -Besides the friends of the members of Wako Tribe, there would be the -Black Bears (Fred's Tribe), Elizabeth's Tribe, some guests from -Headquarters in New York, and a few neighbours of Mrs. Remington's who -were deeply interested in Woodcraft work. - -The girls of Wako Tribe were delighted to hold a Spring Council at this -place and everyone worked with a will to make the event a memorable -occasion. The Guide heaved a deep sigh, for she saw them all united -again and seeking the advancement of the Tribe as a unit. But she sighed -too soon. - -An elaborate programme was evolved and the visitors were impressed by -the exhibits of Woodcraft work of every kind made and displayed by the -members of the Tribe. - -As one entered the Council House a long table was the first attraction. -Tomtoms, simple or elaborate according to experience and ability of the -makers, beautiful sets of bows and arrows that would carry 100 yards or -150 yards and win _coups_ or grand _coups_, respectively; fire-sets of -rubbing sticks and their leather bags, decorated as the individual -preferred; birch-bark articles made from the Alpine harvest of the -preceding Fall; many kinds of knots tied in rope and tagged as mentioned -in the Manual; individual Tally Books showing what each girl had -accomplished since joining the Tribe; and last but not least on this -table was an enlarged photograph of the little cabin built on -Wickeecheokee Bluff by the five girls during the Summer of their first -camp. - -Back of the first long table of exhibits, the wall was covered with -grass mats, willow beds, decorated blankets, totems, shields, carefully -mounted and framed collections of moths, butterflies, insects of various -kinds, leaves, flowers, forestry, etc. These made an impressive showing, -and many had _coups_ or _grand coups_ attached. - -Next to the long table stood the book-shelves, tabourets, benches, -stools, bird-houses, and other decorative or useful articles in -carpentry. - -A second long table exhibited the pottery work, bowls, fire-urns, -candle-sticks, weaving, bead-work, looms, Indian Sun-dial; work in -brass, silver, copper, and other metals, the designs made, hammered, and -etched by the girls themselves. - -Then an old-fashioned bookcase with glass doors had been brought from -the house-attic and the shelves of this large cabinet were filled with -jars of canned fruit, preserves, pickles, dried and canned vegetables, -dried or salted meats, cakes, bread, and other housekeeper's craft -learned and practised by the members of Wako Tribe. - -On the floor beside the cabinet were hand-made rush brooms, willow-ware -of all kinds, Indian tools for gardening, and the tents made at such -expense of labour and patience during January. - -There were exhibits of _coups_ and degrees and honours for swimming, -star-gazing, farming, archery, nursing, needle-craft, marketing, -singing, dancing, Indian Lore, hostess, cooking, fishing, gardening, -carpentry, camper-craft, bird sharp, art crafts, and minor works so -arranged that the lists seemed endless. In fact, the Big Chief from -Headquarters said he had never witnessed so many achievements -accomplished by one Tribe in so short a time, and he added that it spoke -well for the zeal and application of the members. - -The entertainment now began with the usual ceremonies of Grand Council, -followed by reports and other business. Then the girls performed the -Green Corn Dance, which is especially a Spring Dance. After the Big -Lodge finished this graceful dance, the Brownies of the Little Lodge -acted Nana-bo-jou with great vim and energy. - -Immediately following this dance, the Chief said: "One of our Brownies -wishes to win a _coup_ for storytelling, so I will introduce Edith -Remington to the audience. She will tell you what happened to her last -Winter." - -Edith was acquainted with most of the visitors present, so she felt no -self-consciousness in addressing them. In fact, bashfulness and -over-sensitiveness are two of the undesirable failings eliminated by -Woodcraft, so that a child can do what is expected of it without the -agony brought out by self-consciousness. - -"It was a very cold day--so cold that the ground was frozen hard--but no -snow had fallen yet. I wanted to call Billy 'cause we were invited to -spend the day with my little cousins, so I ran out of the front door to -find him in the woods at the foot of the lawn. - -"Just as I hurried under a big oak tree that stands by the drive, I -heard a queer scratching noise, and some loose pebbles flew in front of -me. - -"I looked over at the foot of the tree-trunk and there was a little -squirrel trying to dig up the hard frozen ground. I s'pose he had some -nuts buried there and wanted to get them out for his dinner. As I stood -watching him for a few minutes, my hands grew cold, so I pulled the -mittens out of my coat pocket. - -"Out flew a peanut with one of the mittens and no sooner did it roll on -the ground than Mr. Squirrel hopped over and had it. He jumped back to -the tree and sat upon his haunches cracking and eating the nut. - -"He must have been awful hungry, 'cause he hurried back to me the minute -he finished the peanut, and jumped upon my arm, looking in my pocket for -more. - -"I waited, as still as a mouse, so he wouldn't get 'fraid, then he -looked up in my face as much as to say: 'Haven't you any more?' - -"I laughed at that, and he jumped away and sat a few yards off watching -me. Then I had an idea. I ran in and asked Mose for some nuts, telling -him about the squirrel. He gave me a handful from the pantry and I ran -back to feed the little fellow. - -"He came right up and took them from my hands and when he had carted -most of them over to the foot of the tree and eaten some, he carried one -at a time to a bough and sat eating it. When that was gone he ran down -and carried another nut up and ate it. - -"I told Billy about it and he said he guessed we could tame that -squirrel if we fed it every day. So we gave it things to eat all Winter -and now it is as tame as can be." - -When Edith concluded her story the audience applauded and Big Chief -declared she must have the _coup_, for the story was well told. - -Edith was so delighted at hearing this praise from the Chief at -Headquarters that she could not be restrained that day--she ran about -showing everyone the _coup_ presented her. - -The Council ended with the Sunset Song, and the meeting was pronounced -to be one of the best Wako Tribe ever held. Miss Miller felt confident -that the plan had united all the girls again and now they would work -together as before, for the progress and advancement of the entire -Tribe. - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN--SOME WEEK-END CAMPS - - -The weather grew warmer with the advancing Spring and out-door life -became a joy to the Woodcrafters. The Little Lodge proved to be so -entertaining to the five girls that they felt a jealousy of any other -member of Wako Tribe should she inadvertently mention a personal -interest in the welfare of the Brownies. - -Miss Miller saw the breach widening again and was torn 'twixt her desire -to keep unity and the struggle to do her duty to both factions. This was -the state of affairs when the Chief suggested a one-day's camp to try -out the Little Lodge in the woods. - -"Did you hear what Zan Baker's gone and done?" exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur, -as soon as she heard about the proposed camp that Saturday. - -"No--what?" demanded some of the girls who were working in the gymnasium -while waiting for Miss Miller. The five other girls seldom met at school -now, as the Brownies met them at their own homes, thus enabling them to -hold aloof from the other members. - -"She's planned a camp and left us out in the cold!" - -"Who told you so?" asked some of the loyal girls. - -"Oh, I heard it, all right. If you don't believe me you can ask the -Guide when she comes in. Maybe she won't tell the truth, though, 'cause -she is as thick with them as can be, and she is going with them, I -s'pose!" - -"Well, I can hardly blame Zan and her chums for spending so much time -with the Brownies--they are awfully cute, you know!" responded May -Randall. - -"Besides, the work we have done according to the Manual shows that we -can go on just the same, whether the other five girls sit down and wait -for us to catch up or not," said Anne. - -"It might be better for all concerned if they fuss over the Brownies -while we do the things they all did last year, and then we can all go on -together with Woodcraft," added Frances. - -"I might have known you three girls would toady to Zan Baker and Jane -Hubert. Just because they run the show and boss us all, doesn't say they -have the right to do it. But you are afraid of them, that's why you give -in every time!" sneered Eleanor. - -"At least you will admit that we don't waste our time going about -telling tales on others and trying to make trouble for everyone!" -scorned Anne Mason, just as the Guide entered. - -Her appearance instantly changed Eleanor's attitude and she approached -Miss Miller with an ingratiating smile. The girls saw and most of them -sniffed, some even went so far as to murmur aloud: "Cat! I wish she was -out of this Tribe!" - -The Guide felt that the atmosphere was charged but she hoped to find out -the conditions without questioning, so she started the meeting, -explaining the absence of the Chief and four girls by saying: - -"They are teaching the Brownies to make gifts for Betty's birthday -party. The little ones are going to the woods to celebrate." - -That same evening, Miss Miller spoke to Zan about having the other -members of the Tribe at the Woodland Camp. - -"Oh pshaw, Miss Miller! We can't bother with a crowd of big girls when -we are just on the point of trying out this camp-experiment with the -Brownies. Those girls have enough to do with their work, and we can go -on with the Little Lodge until later." - -"Have you decided on a place for the picnic?" asked the Guide, changing -the subject. - -"We thought Eagle's Crest as good as any for just one day," replied Zan, -relieved that the other disagreeable topic was dropped. - -"Yes, it is near enough to reach it in an hour's time by autos, and -there will be plenty of birds and flowers and trees to open a mine of -Woodcraft for the Brownies." - -"Then it is settled--we will go to Eagle's Crest. And I will say that -some time, when we go to a longer camp-trip, we will ask the new -members," said Zan, apologetically, for she knew the girls of Suwanee -Band and her own new members were not receiving the true hospitality -demanded of genuine Woodcrafters. - -From this conversation, Miss Miller gathered that the five older members -were determined to have their own way with the Little Lodge, and she -planned now to avert disaster to the Tribe and yet keep them all the -best of friends. - -Hence the first out-door camp for a day with the Brownies was not -announced as a Tribe activity, but it was kept as quiet as possible, -declaring it was Betty Fullerton's birthday party and not a Tribe affair -at all. Of course the five old members felt this was downright -prevarication, but it seemed the easiest way to rid themselves of -unpleasant explanations to the other girls. - -To carry out the plan of celebrating Betty's birthday the last of May, -the girls began making gifts to exchange with the Little Lodge members. -The Brownies, too, eagerly worked on simple little presents made of -paper, paint, and raffia work. - -Of course Miss Miller was included in the picnic and she went to keep an -alert eye on the conduct and conversation of the older girls as well as -watch over the younger children. - -From a picnicker's point of view, the outing was a great success and -proved an incentive for a longer camp next time. - -On the drive back home that afternoon, Zan asked the other girls when -and where they should have the next camp. - -"We can revisit Staten Island," suggested Elena. - -"I'd rather camp nearer a house or store where we could telephone if we -need to," added Jane. - -"I met a lady this winter who has a house on the Palisades much nearer -Fort Lee Ferry than our Alpine Camp was last Fall. She has heard of your -Tribe and seemed eager to meet you. I might write and see if she knows -of a spot near there," said Miss Miller. - -"Oh do, please, and maybe we can go the first warm Friday." - -"I might add that if the weather is fine we might make a regular Tribe -camp of it and all camp over the week-end," added Miss Miller. - -The frowns and scowls that instantly showed on the faces of the five -girls plainly told the Guide that the time was not yet at hand for the -solving of the unpleasant problem. - -At the first stop, which was Miss Miller's home, Zan said: "Don't forget -that letter, Miss Miller." - -"I won't, but I must say that you girls ought to pay more attention to -individual Woodcraft interests and not so much to your delight in -playing with the Brownies. It is downright selfish of you." - -Miss Miller said good-night to them and left them wondering at her -displeased tone of voice. - -"What did you do, Zan Baker?" cried Jane, amazed. - -"I--I never did a thing to her!" said Zan half-crying with -mortification. - -"If Miss Miller is mad at us for anything I am going to ask her pardon -'cause I'd rather keep in with her than all the Woodcraft in the world!" -declared Nita. - -Which all goes to show that the five girls did not stop to consider how -deeply the Guide felt over the careless manner in which they treated the -new members of the Tribe. Possibly, had they realised the truth they -would have swung over to the opposite extreme and dropped the Brownies -to make up to the other girls to please the Guide. - -But Miss Miller finally decided to take Mrs. Remington into a secret -plan she had devised. After the letter was written to her friend on the -Palisades, she called Mrs. Remington up on the telephone and they talked -some time. When the conversation ended the plot was laid. - -The week-end camp on the Hudson River Cliffs proved to be very -entertaining, as the friend mentioned had provided the tents and -camp-kits, and the girls only had to provide food and fun. - -The Little Lodge was well started on flowers, birds, trees and other -_coups_ for Brownies, and on Sunday, the blue prints were made and -admired. Not only did the children make simple prints but the five older -Woodcrafters made several exquisite ones for their Tally Books. - -The evening before the Band broke camp, they were all seated about the -embers of the camp-fire when the Guide addressed them: - -"You girls will not have much time to give the Little Lodge after this -week--you have to study for Exams. you know." - -"Dear sakes, that's so! I tried to forget it," sighed Elena. - -"This is the last of May and preliminary examinations start the first -week of June this year," the Guide reminded. - -"I have to work up some of those last Fall studies, too," murmured -Hilda. - -"Have you thought of any plan for the Brownies while you are occupied -with lessons? I shall not be able to meet with you again or waste any -time on Woodcraft from now on till school closes," ventured Miss Miller. - -"You won't! Goodness what will we do?" asked Zan. - -"Why, do what I will do--study like mad!" retorted Jane. - -"That's what you all had better do if you expect to go on with your -class next year. You can't afford to drop behind in your school-classes -on account of these children," advised Miss Miller. - -"Maybe they'll forget all they learned from us--and maybe they'll not -want to bother with a Little Lodge if we have to leave them a whole -month," said Nita. - -"I thought of a way to handle the situation but Zan ought to arrange -about it without delay--that is, if it meets with the approval of you -all." - -"It is sure to--what is it, Miss Miller?" said the girls. - -"Ask Mrs. Remington to watch over and take charge of your Little Lodge -until school is over. She can teach them lots of good things and they -can be handed back to you in fine feather when your time is yours to -enjoy again." - -"What a dandy idea! I'll do it the moment we get home," exclaimed Zan. - -And the other girls agreed with her that the plan was great! Miss Miller -meekly looked at the fading pink ashes of the camp-fire and mentally -thanked the Watchful Spirit for a hope of peace that was held out to -Wako Tribe. - -Monday night Mrs. Remington accepted an invitation from Zan to call and -talk over Little Lodge matters, and the result was that the Brownies -were turned over to her personal charge and the Chief congratulated -herself on her tact in arranging matters so nicely for the Brownies and -for her friends. - -The following day, Tuesday, Eleanor met the Mason girls. "I hear those -five girls had a wonderful time at camp on the Palisades last week. Just -got home late Sunday night." - -"Yes, and what is more it was the last outing with their Brownies this -season. They have turned over affairs to Mrs. Remington till school -closes," retorted Anne. - -"So, you see, that doesn't look much like being so taken up with the -Little Lodge that they were jealous of us, as you intimated some time -ago," added Frances. - -Eleanor was taken by surprise as she had heard nothing of the transfer. -She said nothing more but changed the subject. - -For the month following the camp on the Palisades, every school girl was -busy with studies and examinations, and little heed was paid Woodcraft -interests. Miss Miller, too, had much extra work to do as she generally -assisted the high-school teachers in reading papers and marking -percentages for pupils. But she took time to visit the doctor one -afternoon and outline to him the fears and worries she felt over the -schism in the Tribe. - -"I am sorry to hear my girl is so thoughtless of others' rights in this -matter, but I think I can suggest a way out of further -misunderstandings," said the doctor when the Guide had concluded her -tale of trouble. - -"Oh, if you could! Your letter last Summer was so full of sensible -advice regarding Nita that I felt sure you could offer some way out of -this difficulty," said Miss Miller. - -"The last week of school--immediately after exams. are over, so the -girls will not be distracted by my plan during any important test--I -will send an invitation to every girl in Wako Tribe asking them to visit -Wickeecheokee for a camp party. Mrs. Baker is not going to take her boys -there to camp until the day following the Fourth, and the girls can have -the use of the place until that time. They can start as soon as they -wish to after school closes." - -"Oh, that is just what we need--a close companionship such as a camp at -the farm will give. Then the crisis will be passed without danger," -sighed Miss Miller, gratefully. - -"As a physician would say, 'with no fatalities to record!' and patients -all doing well!" laughed Dr. Baker. - -So it happened that the last Monday of the school-month, the hard tests -all over for the term, Miss Miller sent word by Billy Remington, that -the members of the Tribe were to meet her the next -afternoon--Tuesday--in the gymnasium. - -It seemed a long time since the girls had met and everyone was present -to hear what was the cause of the call. - -When all were present, the Guide read an invitation from the doctor, -which included every girl in the Tribe, as well as the Little Lodge -members. - -"Oh, how lovely of the doctor!" cried several voices. - -"If only it was for some other time, Miss Miller! We have company coming -to spend the Fourth," complained one of the Suwanee members. - -"And we are going to the seashore next Monday for a month!" added -another girl. - -"Well, let us only consider the reply just now--those who will not be -here to go with us, can explain later," said the Guide, fearful lest the -principal cause of the meeting be lost. - -"Oh, we'll go, of course! Who'd think of refusing?" laughed Jane. - -"Is that what everyone present thinks? Remember girls--this is for -everyone in the Tribe--not for a few," said the Guide very plainly. - -The vote showed that every girl was glad and grateful to accept the -invitation, so it was accepted and the letter handed Zan to give her -father that night. Then the individual members would have to arrange -their personal matters at home as best they could. This meeting over, -the Guide felt that she had won another victory over the subtle -temptations of evil to destroy any good work that would lift the -individual out of its power for all time. - -It finally transpired that beside the five old members and the Little -Lodge Brownies, but six of the new members could arrange to go to camp -with the Tribe. The others had promised visits to pay, or were leaving -the city with their families, for the entire Summer vacation. - -From the day the invitation was read to the day the girls planned to -start, Eleanor was very attentive to Zan, effusing over everything the -Chief did or said, until Zan grew annoyed and felt like asking her what -it was all for. - -The last day in the city, however, Eleanor met Zan on the street, and -said: "Are all the Brownies going with us?" - -"Sure! There aren't enough to go around as it is--so we couldn't spare -one, you know." - -"They are such darlings! I am so glad they will be with us!" exclaimed -Eleanor. - -"I thought you detested them. I heard that you preferred leaving our -Tribe if we continued having a Little Lodge," said Zan. - -"What! Who dared say that of me? It is false!" cried Eleanor, furious to -find she had been found out. - -"Oh, never mind who. You'll get over this, just as we get over -everything unpleasant. Stick to your present desire of being glad the -kiddies are with us, and forget the others!" - -So Zan, with all her frankness, averted an unpleasant scene with -Eleanor. But she mentioned it to the Guide who nodded and said: "Eleanor -will climb out of this mire just as Nita got out last Summer, but it -seems to cling more tenaciously to Eleanor." - -The short interval given the girls in which to prepare for the camp on -the farm, soon passed and amid a chorus of happy good-byes and some -regrets from those who remained at home, the Tribe left the city. After -several hours of motoring through the lovely country districts of New -Jersey, they reached Wickeecheokee. - -"You five girls sure were lucky to have a whole summer at this grand old -place," said a member of Suwanee Band, as she admired the old colonial -house, the ancient trees, the fine green lawns and the glimpse of -gardens back of the barns. - -"If you think this is fine, just wait till you see the Bluff and Falls -where we camp. That's something worth while!" bragged Zan, who was -pleased at the admiration from the girls. - -"The water rushes right down the mountain-side from Fiji's Cave and -falls over a great boulder into a pool below that we use for a swimming -pool," added Jane. - -"And we have a large Council Ring there, and a ready-made fire-place," -said Hilda. - -"That reminds me! We all ought to feel hungry by this time, so we could -have lunch on the lawn and start for the Bluff later, to get settled for -the night," advised the Guide. - -"I think I can eat a morsel, if coaxed hard enough," said Jane, -laughing. - -"I can eat everything in sight--even the grass," declared Billy. - -"You won't have to stoop to the meek little blades, Billy, as we brought -plenty of sandwiches and cake," said Zan. - -As they enjoyed the luncheon brought from home, Miss Miller asked: "Who -would like to visit the gardens after we're through with refreshments?" - -"Oh, yes; I can't tell an onion from a gooseberry," laughed Eleanor. - -"You ought to if you did your cookery work properly this winter," Miss -Miller reproved. - -An hour was devoted to trying to identify the many vegetables of the -garden, and at the same time, enough fruit and other things were -gathered for supper and breakfast. - -"Funny how different lettuce, radishes, beets, and other things look to -us when growing in the garden and when we have them ready served on the -dinner table," commented one of the girls. - -Then the Guide described the habits of many vegetables and explained how -they grew and should be cared for and harvested. She touched upon the -national interest taken in canning and preserving and hinted that the -Wako Girls might start a class for themselves early in the Fall. - -Bill Sherwood had erected tents and brought the cots from the cabin, so -all was ready for the Tribe when they reached the Bluff. The Council -Ring had been cleared of debris and the camp-fire place ready for -supper, so that the Guide smiled and thanked Bill for his trouble to -have everything in order for them. - -That night the girls sat star-gazing when Zan said: "We must start the -new members and the Brownies on mat weaving and willow bed making, the -first thing, Miss Miller." - -"Yes, the rushes and willows ought to be just about right this time of -year," added the Guide, delighted that Zan was taking a normal interest -in her Woodcraft again. - -So immediately after breakfast, they all started down the slope to the -Big Bridge where the reeds grew thickest and longest. In passing, the -Guide called the attention of the Brownies and new members to the trees: -Oak, hickory, maple and others were identified and described. - -Then Billy tried to show his superiority over the other Brownies, by -saying: "That is a red maple, and over there--that's a swamp maple." - -"What's this, Billy?" asked Elizabeth. - -"Oh, that's a mountain maple." - -"What was the grove we came through last night?" said she. - -"Sugar maples for maple syrup! Don't I know! I've tapped them enough -when out with Fred," giggled Billy. - -While they were all engaged in cutting rushes some of the girls gazed -about now and then. In one of these wayward glances, May saw some green -leaves growing in the brook. - -"What are they, Miss Miller?" - -"That is water-cress--would you like to gather it?" - -"Water-cress! Oh, I love it in salad!" cried May. - -"Then pull off your shoes and stockings and wade in and gather all you -want. We'll have it instead of lettuce this noon." - -Two of the girls preferred to help May gather cress as they thought they -had enough reed and rush for a mat, so by the time the cutting was done, -the three girls had a large basketful of water-cress. - -That afternoon, they began weaving mats on the looms constructed that -morning. As they were working for _coups_ they applied themselves -carefully to the work. Even the Little Lodge tried the mat weaving but -soon wearied of it. - -Eleanor took an enthusiastic interest in the mats until she found it was -tedious work and made her back ache with bending over the looms. - -"It seems so silly to waste time on this stuff when you really do not -need them or want them for anything," said she. - -"We're not weaving a doormat but working for an honour," retorted May. - -"But it is foolish--an empty honour," laughed she. - -"I never think anything foolish that creates a desire to do perfect -work, or apply yourself and overcome impatience," said Miss Miller. - -"But where's the honour come in?" insisted Eleanor. - -"It is an honour always to follow the Bible's injunction--'Whatsoever -thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'" - -"Oh, you're talking of religion--this is different," argued Eleanor, not -to be silenced. - -"Our Master felt that the two went together--honour and religion. If one -does what is honourable and right in small things he can be depended -upon for greater things, too." - -"Well, weaving grass mats won't count," scorned Eleanor, pushing at her -badly woven mat impatiently. - -"Everything counts. If you can't be patient and do a simple thing like a -grass mat how do you expect to be promoted? It is the promotion that -gains us honours but if one fails to do the best he can with anything -given to do, how can one hope to go higher in the scale of progress? - -"In Woodcraft, it is not the grass mat we weave that counts for the -_coup_ or honour, it is the general improvement in one's moral and -spiritual life that really counts. And the uplift in mental and -characteristic desires brings about the higher basis for the next step. - -"You mistake, Eleanor, when you think you are weaving grass mats or -willow beds--you are weaving qualities of thought, good or bad, and each -pattern produced only shows what thoughts, upbuilding or destructive, -you are allowing yourself to weave into the warp and woof of your future -life. And this pattern is all there is to our temporal lives, but it is -everything when we seek promotion to our eternal and spiritual life!" - -Eleanor lifted her delicate eyebrows with a disdainful manner and -pretended to stifle a yawn as she gazed away to Pine Nob. - -The Guide saw the expression of being bored but she said nothing, being -too noble a character to take offence or feel sensitive over the girl's -rudeness. The other girls had heard the short lecture and pondered -deeply as they worked. - -Miss Miller saw the thoughtful girls in one comprehensive glance, and -thanked the Great Spirit that the seed had not all fallen on barren -ground. - -Eleanor noticed the silence after a time and remarked: - -"Have you girls lost your tongues?" - -"Why-hy, no-o! I guess we were thinking." - -"Thinking--what of?" wondered she. - -"Why Miss Miller's words, to be sure. She is wonderful, that way, and we -love to hear her explain things spiritual in such a simple way. It -really makes religion attractive, I think," said Jane. - -"Now, if Jane Hubert thinks that, and she lives in the finest house -belonging to any of the girls, and she has more money than any, there -must be more to the Guide's words than I thought of. What was it she -said to me, anyway?" thought Eleanor to herself as she began pulling out -the strands she had woven into the mat. - -Then she tried to remember and in so doing she took in more of what Miss -Miller had really said than she thought possible. Even as she pondered, -she finished unravelling the mat and began over again to weave the work -correctly and neatly. - -Nita noticed this silent weaving and the thoughtful mien of Eleanor, and -she left her own loom to join the girl and tell her of her experience -while at Camp with Miss Miller the previous Summer. - -Eleanor kept her eyes upon the weaving as she listened, and when Nita -said: "I never was so contented and happy in my life as now, and it is -only because I tried to do just as Miss Miller taught and showed me to -do." - -The days passed only too quickly for the busy Woodcrafters until the day -before the Fourth. Then the Doctor telephoned just before noon and told -the Guide that the friends and families of Wako Tribe were coming down -to hold a Council on the afternoon of the Fourth. - -When this unexpected news was transmitted to the girls, such a bustle -and excitement as it created! Everyone wanted to do something fine to -show the visitors what progress had been made in the past week. - -Some of the girls went to the house to bake cake for refreshments, some -hurriedly sawed and painted crude totems to make the Council Ring appear -decorated. The Brownies thrashed through the woods gathering wild -flowers and fern, and arranging them in pails and jars of water. Mrs. -Sherwood skimmed the rich cream from several pans of milk and offered to -freeze the ice-cream. Everyone managed to get in everyone else's way, -and the merry confusion was as enjoyable as a surprise party. - -The girls expected the visitors about noon, but it was almost two -o'clock before a maddening sound reached them. - -"Good gracious! That isn't _our_ siren!" cried Jane. - -"Nor ours--and it isn't the Remingtons', either," said Zan. - -Then another terrific blast sounded from the Big Bridge, and the girls -saw three large jitneys turn in from the main road and pull up before -Bill's cottage. - -"Did you ever see such a crowd?" exclaimed May, as the visitors jumped -out and looked about. - -"'Everybody and his uncle' came, I guess!" laughed Elena. - -"And in jitneys! Isn't it a scream?" added Jane. - -As they spoke, the girls were hurrying down the slope to welcome the -friends and soon after, the Council Ring was filled and the -entertainment began. - -Nita danced, the Tribe sang, the boys had sham-battles, games were -enjoyed, and refreshments,--not the least of the fun--were quickly -disposed of and the visitors complimented the cooks. - -"I hear those jitneys calling 'Ole Black Joe,'" sang the doctor, as a -horn sounded from the foot of the slope. "But I must say my little say -before I go. And this is my speech!" - -Dr. Baker then told the girls that they, as a Tribe, were invited to -accompany Mrs. Hubert to the Adirondack Camp for the Summer. She -expected to leave the city on the following Thursday and anyone -intending to go must be ready and waiting at the car. - -This wonderful news was wildly received and the visitors were sent off -in a hurry, as the girls wanted time to consider ways and means of going -to Woodchuck Camp. - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN--THE ADIRONDACK CAMP - - -When the girls returned to the city the day following the Fourth, they -heard that Mrs. Remington and Anna, the governess, were going to assist -them in Woodcraft that Summer, and incidentally look after Teddy and -Tammy, the babies of Little Lodge. - -Mrs. Baker was invited but she declined as she had already arranged to -start a boys' camp for her sons at the farm. All the members of Wako -Tribe were invited but many of them could not go, as other plans had -been made by mothers. So on the day of departure, Miss Miller, the other -ladies, and Brownies, with the five old members and some of the new -ones, boarded the express. - -It was a long wearisome ride but the wonders expected when all should -reach the mountains buoyed them up. As Zan said: "It was just like -journeying hopefully through earth's tribulations for the joy and peace -waiting in Heaven." - -It was dark when the campers reached the Huberts' place and not much -could be seen, but early in the morning every girl was out and -exclaiming at the beauty of the forest camp. The lake was a short walk -from the long cabin, and a swim was the first thing on the programme. -After that a hearty breakfast, and a hike through the woods. - -As they merrily ran hither and thither in the cool bowers of green, the -Brownies gathered flowers and leaves. Billy brought Miss Miller a sprig -of green and she cried: - -"Ha! Who knows what this is--don't tell them, Billy!" - -"Do you know--it smells like mint of some sort?" said Nita, sniffing at -the green leaves. - -"It's sassafras. The juice of these leaves flavours the chewing gum Zan -told us of in her essay," said the Guide. - -"Then it is used for candy, too," added Billy. - -"Yes, and peppermint and birch found in these woods can be used for -flavouring, too," said Mrs. Remington. - -"Did I hear you say we had all the makings of some candy the first rainy -day?" laughed Zan. - -"Having the flavouring at hand--why not?" retorted Jane, well knowing -the Brownies would take up the cry. - -Even as she turned to nudge Billy, a drop of rain splashed down upon her -face. She looked up and saw a heavy cloud sweeping over the sun and the -others turned and looked also. - -"Run everybody, or we'll have to swim back!" cried Zan. - -"Run for the house--not for the camp! Remember that sassafras candy!" -merrily shouted Jane. - -So the first day at Woodchuck Camp ended with a candy-pull and sticky -hands and faces of Wako Tribe members. - -No one could settle down to any planned Woodcraft work that first week -in the Adirondacks as the call of the forest and lake proved -irresistible. But the second week the novelty had worn off enough to -allow the girls to start some active work. - -"We must have a good cabin to hold our tools and work during the -Summer--what do you say to building one at once?" asked Miss Miller. - -"Oh, yes, let's!" replied the girls who had built the cabin at -Wickeecheokee Camp. - -"Won't it be awfully hard work?" queried Anne. - -"And so senseless when you have tents and a house near enough to place -things," added Eleanor, peevishly. "It will be more fun to swing in a -hammock and read stories." - -"One can read books in the Winter but who wants to do it in camp?" -scorned Hilda. - -"My mother sent me a box of novels and I shall take it easy and -read--you girls can do as you like," retorted Eleanor. - -Miss Miller heard the conversation and was on guard at once. "Who is -your favourite author, Eleanor?" - -"I have so many, I hardly can tell," said the girl, not aware of the -Guide's intentions to draw her out. - -"What style of book do you prefer? Travel, history, or love stories?" - -"Oh, love, to be sure! The kind that are run serially in the 'Cosmo' -Magazine. I adore them and the moment the books are out I buy them to -read again. I can devour the love scenes again and again, and enjoy -them!" sighed Eleanor, sentimentally. - -"When that box of books arrives, Eleanor, will you allow me to look them -over first?" - -"Of course you may, but I can't see why you would want to read them -first--you couldn't finish them all in a month!" laughed Eleanor. - -"I have no desire to read them, but I must see what you intend bringing -into camp. From your words, I should say the books are unworthy the -name. I have long taken up the crusade against the trash that some -magazines publish as it is unhealthy for young people. There are scores -of other periodicals just as bad but they haven't the wealth or -influence to advertise and put over their injurious reading that this -one you mention has." - -"Why, how queer you are, Miss Miller! Everyone says the authors of those -stories make fortunes out of everything written!" Eleanor defended. - -"Ah, yes! What will be their report when the Day of Accounts comes and -we each have to look at the facts bared by Truth?" sighed the Guide -walking away. - -Eleanor smiled ironically and looked at Zan. "Isn't she the funniest -thing!" - -"No, we all know Miss Miller's great ambition to provide clean wholesome -literature for young people and Dad seconds her enthusiastically in her -work. She wrote an article to the New York papers showing how subtle and -poisonous was the moral and mental perversion of the sex stories so -flagrantly advertised by publishers who only thought of gain and -notoriety. But the newspapers are not courageous enough to throw the -gauntlet down to these publishers. Some of them wrote back that the -concerns mentioned spent large sums advertising in their daily papers. -So Miss Miller has to try some other method to open the eyes of the -parents and guardians to the danger threatening young people." - -Eleanor stared at Zan and wondered, as half of it was Greek to her -understanding. Miss Miller was heard ordering the carpenters to -different duties, however, so Zan ran over to join them. - -"The Brownies can find birch bark and make the ornaments to decorate the -cabin," said Anna, as the Guide apportioned each group of girls to -tasks. - -"Moreover, they can remove the large sections of bark from this -down-timber for the girls to use on the outside of the cabin after the -posts are up," said Mrs. Remington. - -And that is how the name "Boss" began for the Guide. - -"I'll guarantee to have bark, totems, shields, and other ornaments ready -for use when the cabin needs them," added Mrs. Remington, calling the -Brownies to go with Anna and her. - -All that day the silent places of the forest resounded with sawing, -chopping and hammering, but now and then a hot and tired girl would -throw herself down on the moss to cool. - -At luncheon that day, Mrs. Remington whispered to Miss Miller: "This -work will take much of the softness out and leave them in good shape for -other sport." - -"Exactly!" replied the Guide, looking about at the hungry, eager faces -of the members. - -A call for "Boss" from Tim, who was assisting in the hauling of the -logs, interrupted further comment at that time. - -"Miss Miller, the young ladies don't want to dig a hole where the logs -will rest. I tells them they must do it to have a firm foundation. Fact, -I said, a hull cellar ought to be dug to keep the floor dry and -sweet-smellin'," said Tim. - -"Yes, a cellar must be excavated if only a foot, or two feet deep. -Otherwise the floor will soon be mouldy and damp." - -So that afternoon, the girls dug and shovelled and worked on a pit about -a foot and a half deep and as large as the floor was planned to be. The -four logs forming the foundation square were well set before the horn -sounded for rest that night. - -"Didn't the time fly?" asked May, in surprise. - -"It always does when one is pleasantly employed," added Mrs. Hubert, -complimenting the Tribe on the work accomplished. - -The next day the cross-beams of the floor were laid, and the four corner -posts erected and firmly nailed into place. At the luncheon that noon, -plans were made for the siding and roofing the cabin. That afternoon, -the ridgepole and rafters of the roof were set and the uprights of the -walls nailed in securely. When Mrs. Hubert blew the horn for "Quits" the -girls looked longingly at the skeleton of their cabin. - -"I'd like to tack a few sheets of tar paper on the outside before -stopping work," ventured Elena. - -"Not if you are a member of this union. The rest of us will strike if -you are permitted to work over-time," retorted the Guide, to the -amusement of Tim who thought the "Boss" a wonder. - -The next day the paper roofing and siding was nailed on and then the -girls began the interesting work of fitting on the great slabs of bark. -This had to be carefully done as any rough handling or nailing cracked -the sections. - -By evening the cabin was covered and looked very rustic with its forest -blanket on sides and roof. But Tim said the wide chinks between sheets -of bark must be filled in, and this must be done with plaster. - -"Where can we find any?" wondered Zan. - -"I'll show you in the morning," replied Miss Miller. - -So in the morning they went down to the shore and the Guide dug a pit -where clay was found at a depth of ten inches. This was worked well with -water until it was the proper consistency and then pailfuls of the -mortar were carried to the cabin. The Brownies acted as hod-carriers -while the girls did the mason work. Now and then a Brownie was allowed -to fill in chinks near the ground and rub it down between the bark. - -This work was great fun and was finished by noon. Then the question of -windows and door came up. - -"I have two sashes in the garage left over from the addition built to -the house last year," suggested Tim. - -"Then we will have to make real frames?" asked Jane. - -"No'm! They slides along grooves and is easier to shet when a shower -comes up. If you had pulleys and fittin's like city houses they'd always -be ketchin' and out of order," said Tim. - -So the donation of two nice windows was gratefully accepted and the -extra time saved was given to the door. This was a difficult thing to -make as real hinges and a catch had to be fitted. Before the saddle and -strike were done, the girls felt that doors were indeed an invention of -the evil one to make folks want to swear. Fingers were bruised, and -heads bumped as each girl declared _she_ could do it--it was so easy! - -But the door was finally hung--with Tim's help--and then the cabin was -ready for furniture. The Brownies had carried in all the packing cases -saved from the freight, and Mrs. Hubert had a remnant of pantasote in -the loft of the house, left from the covering of her window seats. - -While the Brownies made and painted totems and crude decorations, the -girls made and upholstered box-furniture, and in a week's time, the -cabin was ready for company. The visitors in this case consisted of Mrs. -Hubert and Tim's wife. - -"This cabin beats the one we made on the farm all to smithereens!" -exulted Zan, admiring the inside and then stepping out to compliment the -Little Lodge on the floral decorations and Woodcraft tokens they had -made. - -"We can keep all our Woodcraft stuff in here and when one of us wants to -be alone she can sit in here and read or snooze," added Jane. - -"I'll put the box of books in here and you girls can help yourselves," -said Eleanor, generously. - -"How about it--did they come?" asked Zan, curiously. - -"Tim said the box was at the station and he is going to bring it in the -morning," replied Eleanor. - -Miss Miller was right on the spot when the box was taken from the -automobile and Eleanor brought the hammer and driver to pry off the top -boards. As expected, the Guide found trashy paper novels inside and a -note from Eleanor's mother. This the girl read aloud. - - "Dear Ella: - - As you are camping where rain and dirt will spoil a good book I - bought a lot from a 10-cent store and from a second-hand shop - downtown. It won't hurt if these do get wet, so don't worry over - them. I tried to buy your favourite authors--Lila Jane Lilly is - one, isn't she? And the Dutchie another. If the other girls want - to read them, be generous and let them," - - ---- Lovingly, _Mother._" - -"Humph! I should say a thorough soaking of rain would improve these -books vastly," remarked the Guide as she gingerly turned the pages of -the first few removed from the box. "In fact, if we could soak them back -to pulp again and forever wash away the effects of the text, what a -benefaction the world would have!" - -"Are you jesting, Miss Miller?" wondered Eleanor. - -"Jesting! At such criminal thoughts as these stories implant in the -minds of adolescent girls and boys? Why, the woman who made such a -fortune out of gullible young things ought to be condemned to -purgatory--only we know there isn't such a place!" fumed the Guide, -righteously indignant. - -"I've read most of her books and I never saw anything bad. They were -grand--and full of wonderful romance!" defended Eleanor. - -"If the 'bad' was exposed your mother wouldn't have had you read them, -and your appetite would have been improved. But so subtle is the -viciousness of such stuff that you now don't want to read a sweet -wholesome story like 'Pollyanna' or similar girls' books. Do you suppose -a mortal with a craving for liquor or tobacco is satisfied with cold -water or home-made bread? So it is with a perverted appetite for sex -stories and thrills--you won't content yourself with uplifting -literature but demand more and more of the degrading kind!" - -"But these books are not sex stuff!" cried Eleanor. - -"Just as bad. And their influence is the same as that created by drink -or dope." - -As the Guide spoke she looked through the remainder of the collection -and sighed as she thought of the density of some parents. "Saving a few -pence for fine clothing, and economising on reading for their children! -Clothing the exterior with 'fine feathers,' and feeding the mind with -swill! Considering money wasted on good reasonably priced books and -squandering wholesale, the spiritual, moral, mental and physical fibre -of their children! Never sparing a thought as to the ultimate effects of -trashy books and ignoring the outcome of deteriorating sensations in the -young because they are so anxious to add to a savings account for the -future! Just as long as the book--white or yellow--(mattered not) kept -the reader occupied and quiet for a time, that the mother might finish -the extra frill on the schooldress or party costume." - -As Miss Miller concluded her excited vituperation on the prevalent -disease of contagious novels, Eleanor was too angry to reply. Finally, -however, she managed to say: - -"If you had any decent story at camp I wouldn't have sent for any books. -But I hunted that first night and couldn't see a single magazine or -book." - -"If you had sought in the house you would have found a great bookcase -full!" retorted Jane, angry at implied oversight. - -"We-el, yes, I saw them afterward. While I was waiting for my box to -come, I read a few," admitted Eleanor. - -"Well, what was it--did you like 'em?" asked Zan. - -"Oh, I found one called 'The Right Princess' and another by the same -author 'The Opened Shutters,' that were pretty good for kid stories," -said Eleanor, as if in apology. - -"Kid story! Well, there are more grown-ups and parents enjoy those kind -of books than kids, let me tell you!" said Jane. - -"And you will find many more such books in that case, too, Eleanor," -added Mrs. Hubert. - -"Yes, I noticed them. I thought I would start and read them if these -didn't get here soon. I did begin one last night!" confessed Eleanor. - -"I wish you would read them instead of these and permit me to return -these at once. I cannot have them in camp at all!" said Miss Miller. - -It spoke well for Eleanor's salvation and improvement that she agreed -willingly to send back the books. But she hesitated to admit that she -had found many books in the Hubert's bookcase far more interesting than -the paper-covered novels she had feasted upon hitherto. - -The daily and hourly effect of associating with the right kind of girls, -and hearing good and constructive ideas, were making an impression on -this character so like many girls who are not aware of their -short-comings. And the change was being remarked by those about her. - -Miss Miller was too wise a Guide to draw attention to the efforts of the -girl to be obliging and truthful like those about her, but she was -careful to encourage and help Eleanor in every way she could. - -As is fully told in the book written for the Little Woodcrafters, the -girls spent July and August in happy Woodcraft ways, and by the end of -August not only were results apparent in objects made, but the -cheerfulness and health of the Tribe proved how contented and enjoyable -had been the weeks at Woodchuck Camp. - -Then came a letter from the Doctor saying that the men of the families -planned to drive the cars to the mountains and spend Labour Day with the -Tribe. Mrs. Baker and her camp of boys expected to come in the doctor's -car. - -"Miss Miller, we want a Grand Council if they are all coming here. Why -not invite other friends?" said Zan. - -"The ride is too expensive by train, and few have cars, you must -remember," said the Guide. - -"Well, then, let's get up some new dances or games, anyway," suggested -Nita. - -"Humph! That isn't the same as having company!" grumbled Zan. But the -spirit of entertaining replaced any feeling of complaint, and the girls -were soon at work devising ways and means for a Woodcraft programme. - -That evening Miss Miller took Zan and Nita aside and had a confidential -talk with them. From the expression of their faces the secret was most -pleasing, and during the mornings and evenings preceding Labour Day, the -two girls were up in Huberts' loft working on the secret plan. Miss -Miller, too, was seen only at intervals, and it was found that a farmer -from the village ten miles down the mountain-side had brought several -young turkeys with the feathers still on. Then Billy found the feathers -gone and the birds cooked for sandwiches, but where were those feathers? - -The afternoon before the arrival of the visitors, when the Tribe had -been called together to pronounce judgment on a new dance, Miss Miller -began playing a mandolin. As the waltz sounded two figures came from the -cabin. They represented Mr. and Mrs. Eagle. It was Zan and Nita dressed -in the Eagle Dancer's Dress ready to do the Eagle Dance. - -The head-dress and edges of the dresses were bordered with the missing -turkey feathers, and an edging of down as well as feathers wherever they -could be artistically placed, made the two costumes most striking and -gorgeous. - -Then began the dance. The two eagles circled about each other in a -fluttering courtship. Mr. Eagle summoned courage enough to advance while -Mrs. Eagle coyly retreated, and back and forth both danced and circled -until finally Mrs. Eagle bashfully consented to accept the gallant's -attentions. Then he flew over to her side and as she turned to flee once -more, Mr. Eagle enfolded her in his wings and they danced away with -heads together. - -The entire dance was very well done, and the admiring audience applauded -loudly for an encore, but Miss Miller said: - -"No, I just wanted to see what you thought of it before it was danced -to-morrow. The Eagle Dance, done by the Zui or Hopi Indian men, is much -more energetic but Nita makes a very good gallant, I think, and Zan a -demure and willing lady-love." - -"Indeed they do, and what is more, I want to get a picture of the -costume. Zan, will you pose by that tree while I snap you?" said Mrs. -Remington. - -"And let me add: Nita and Zan can claim a coup for that dancing -costume," said the Guide. - -The Little Lodge had become so imbued with the ambitions of the Big -Lodge, that they, too, worked hard to present their claims for -admiration. Tally Books were pasted up, bugs and butterflies, moths and -grasses, birds' nests and leaves, twigs, rush and reed specimens were -arranged on a rustic table for exhibition. This kept the children busy -and out of the way of the girls who bustled about preparing camp for the -Grand Council. - -That week-end was perfect and word reached the village hotel Saturday -morning that a number of autos filled with guests would need -accommodations over Sunday and Labour Day. The unusual news speedily -circulated and when the Doctor's party rode through the sleepy little -place every villager was out and curiously watching the sight. All those -city folks at the hotel at the same time! What would poor Mr. Haskins -do--and his wife laid up with asthma so's you could hear her wheeze away -down the lane! - -Leaving the luggage at the "hotel," the visitors continued to the camp -ten miles further on. Here they met a noisy welcome, and soon were -seated under the pines telling the story of their trip. - -"Now then," concluded the doctor, "if this Tribe doesn't appreciate our -sacrifices to enable us to assist at this Council, I shall forever after -wash my hands of them." - -"If you haven't any vessel larger than the tin basin in our hotel -bed-room, your hands will not be washed very well!" laughed Mrs. Baker. - -Everyone laughed, too, for most of the campers knew of the hotel which -was no more than an elongated farm-house with a lean-to added at one end -for a "ristrant." This addition was politely called "The Annex." - -"It's a wonder Mr. Haskins found beds for you all!" added Mrs. Hubert, -chuckling at reminiscences. - -"He didn't!" retorted Fiji. "He dragged some husk-mattresses into the -low attic above the 'guest rooms' and told us boys we had to sleep -there. I have to wash at the pump 'cause he hasn't enough basins to go -round!" - -"There's the lake--don't draw on the limited supply of rain-water from -the pump!" laughed Mrs. Remington. - -In spite of quarters and accommodations at the "hotel," however, the -visiting party declared they had never had a better time than this -Labour Day Council Meeting. - -The lake offered many exciting sports, swimming and fishing not the -least of them. The hiking, Councils, games, and other diversions of -camp-life filled every moment till the early morning after Labour Day -when everyone had to rush madly about to pick up articles over-looked in -the hasty packing of baggage, for the girls and Miss Miller were to ride -back in the cars with the visitors. - -When they were gone, and the Brownies went to say good-bye to the lake -and camp-grounds, Mrs. Hubert turned to Mrs. Remington and said: - -"Well, I guess they had a good time at this camp?" - -"They certainly did--a glorious Summer and filled with good work," -replied Mrs. Remington. - -"When I think of Paul over-coming his whining ways, your little Teddy -more considerate of his little friends, Tammy losing his dependence on -others, Betty not half so shy, Billy and Edith eager to help others -instead of enjoying themselves, I say, God bless the Brownies," sighed -Mrs. Hubert, gratefully. - -"But you've said not a word about the Big Lodge! How about Eleanor -Wilbur? Did you ever see such wonderful improvement in anyone? And our -boys, too. Mrs. Baker certainly deserves unlimited thanks for the way -they show camp training. Then there are those new members, and our five -old ones--perhaps you and I show the general uplift the others do, too!" -said Mrs. Remington, smilingly. - -"I may not show it but I feel it," responded Mrs. Hubert. - -"Who can help being 'born again' with the simple life in grand old -forests near a lake of pure water? Nature is the Wonder Worker in -selfish, morbid, erroneous characters, and the marvel grows as each one -rises higher and reaches out for God unconsciously until he arrives at a -resting-place. Then the mist disappears and he catches a glimpse of the -glories of the wide horizon's promised Heaven." - -At the last words, the key clicked in the front door and the two ladies -turned to join the rest of the party who were following Tim toward the -large touring-car waiting at the end of the woodland path. - - - THE END - - - ---- - -*This Isn't All!* - -Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in -this book? - -Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and -experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? - -On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you -will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same -store where you got this book. - -*Don't throw away the Wrapper* - -Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in -case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog. - - ---- - -GIRL SCOUTS SERIES - -By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - -Author of the "Polly Brewster Books" - -Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated - -Each Volume Complete in Itself. - -Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom -Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stores -of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with -stirring adventures. - -GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP - -This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a -mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The -charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of -adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting -summer for the girls. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS - -New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring -camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton -Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the -girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES - -On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental -Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, -shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand -storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with -unforgettable experiences. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO - -The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New -Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe trail, cross the Painted -Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a -most interesting story. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS - -The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California and -incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion picture director in -Hollywood to offer to produce a film that stars the Girl Scouts of -America. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP. _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES - -By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - -Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and -Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to -various places in the United States, Europe and South America. - - POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT - POLLY AND ELEANOR - POLLY IN NEW YORK - POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD - POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE - POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE - POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA - POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST - POLLY IN ALASKA - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES - -By LAURA LEE HOPE - -Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc. - -Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several -bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE; - Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE; - Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR; - Or, The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP; - Or, Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA; - Or, Wintering in the Sunny South. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW; - Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND; - Or, A Cave and What it Contained. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE; - Or, Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE; - Or, Doing Their Best For the Soldiers. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT; - Or, A Wreck and A Rescue. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE; - Or, The Hermit of Moonlight Falls. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE; - Or, The Girl Miner of Gold Run. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE; - Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD; - Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock. - - ---- - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS - -By LAURA LEE HOPE - -Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by THELMA GOOCH - -Every Volume Complete in Itself - -The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. -Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while -Margy just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private -secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called -a "job" in a department store. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE; Or, Facing the Great World. - -A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE; Or, The Worth of a Name. - -The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual -inheritance. This tale continues the struggles of all the girls for -existence. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM; Or, Face to Face With a Crisis. - -Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with -the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery as well as exciting -girlish happenings. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER; Or, The Girl From Bronx Park. - -Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose -real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the girl really -was comes as a tremendous surprise. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION; Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm. - -The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks--and fall -in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings. How they came to -the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a queer mystery, is well -related. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS - -Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed -herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that -Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment, -while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a -city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that -she left school to take entire charge of the woman's page for the -largest daily in an important Eastern city. - -Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of -these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and -depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic. - - BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER - BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE - GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD - GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL - JOAN: JUST GIRL - JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE - CONNIE LORING'S AMBITION - CONNIE LORING'S DILEMMA - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS - -Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. - -THE MARJORIE BOOKS - -Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of -goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will -see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure. - - MARJORIE'S VACATION - MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS - MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND - MARJORIE IN COMMAND - MARJORIE'S MAYTIME - MARJORIE AT SEACOTE - -THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES - -Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a -little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, -high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes. - - TWO LITTLE WOMEN - TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE - TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY - -THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS - -Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, -their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories -"really true" to young readers. - - DICK AND DOLLY - DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS - -By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE - -Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by WALTER S. -ROGERS - -A new line of fascinating tales for little girls. Honey Bunch is a -dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to take her to your -heart at once. - -HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL - -Happy days at home, helping mamma and the washerlady. And Honey Bunch -helped the house painters too--or thought she did. - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY - -What wonderful sights Honey Bunch saw when she went to visit her cousins -in New York! And she got lost in a big hotel and wandered into a men's -convention! - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM - -Can you remember how the farm looked the first time you visited it? How -big the cows and horses were, and what a roomy place to play in the barn -proved to be? - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE - -Honey Bunch soon got used to the big waves and thought playing in the -sand great fun. And she visited a merry-go-round, and took part in a -sea-side pageant. - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN - -It was great sport to dig and to plant with one's own little garden -tools. But best of all was when Honey Bunch won a prize at the flower -show. - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP - -It was a great adventure for Honey Bunch when she journeyed to Camp -Snapdragon. It was wonderful to watch the men erect the tent, and more -wonderful to live in it and have good times on the shore and in the -water. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE RIDDLE CLUB BOOKS - -By ALICE DALE HARDY - -Individual Colored Wrappers. Attractively Illustrated. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -Here is as ingenious a series of books for little folks as has ever -appeared since "Alice in Wonderland." The idea of the Riddle books is a -little group of children--three girls and three boys decide to form a -riddle club. Each book is full of the adventures and doings of these six -youngsters, but as an added attraction each book is filled with a lot of -the best riddles you ever heard. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB AT HOME - -An absorbing tale that all boys and girls will enjoy reading. How the -members of the club fixed up a clubroom in the Larue barn, and how they, -later on, helped solve a most mysterious happening, and how one of the -members won a valuable prize, is told in a manner to please every young -reader. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB IN CAMP - -The club members went into camp on the edge of a beautiful lake. Here -they had rousing good times swimming, boating and around the campfire. -They fell in with a mysterious old man known as The Hermit of Triangle -Island. Nobody knew his real name or where he came from until the -propounding of a riddle solved these perplexing questions. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS - -This volume takes in a great number of winter sports, including skating -and sledding and the building of a huge snowman. It also gives the -particulars of how the club treasurer lost the dues entrusted to his -care and what the melting of the great snowman revealed. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB AT SUNRISE BEACH - -This volume tells how the club journeyed to the seashore and how they -not only kept up their riddles but likewise had good times on the sand -and on the water. Once they got lost in a fog and are marooned on an -island. Here they made a discovery that greatly pleased the folks at -home. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE JERRY TODD SERIES - -By LEO EDWARDS - -Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers For Each Story - -Every Volume Complete in Itself - -Detective stories for boys! - -Jerry Todd and his trusty pals solve many a baffling mystery in their -home town, much to the amusement of all who read of their adventures. - -JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY - -Having been duly appointed "Juvenile Jupiter Detectives" Jerry Todd and -his trusty pals little realize how fast things are going to happen. -First comes the amazing adventure in the museum in Tutter College. Did -the mummy actually whisper? And did it later vanish of its own accord? - -JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE-COLORED CAT - -Cats by the dozens; cats by the hundreds; and most important of all, a -mysterious five-hundred dollar rose-colored cat. Then comes the -lamentable accident to Lady Victoria's aristocratic tail; the operation; -the overdose of chloroform; the funeral. There is a laugh on every page. - -JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE - -Jerry Todd and his pals set themselves up in the show business by -transforming a disused clay scow of Mr. Todd's into a floating theatre. -And a very wonderful show it is! Certainly it leads the boys into -exceptional adventures. - -JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN - -That strange hen? Why does it waltz? And what is the secret of the -prowling peril? Then, even as the Hindu had earlier died so quickly and -mysteriously, the boys' old friend disappears. Then comes the final -ludicrous climax. - -JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG - -Jerry Todd and his chums leagued together to help another boy save a -peculiar invention of his father's, a talking frog, from thieving -hands,--wait breathlessly in the lonely brick house where the puzzle -maker had met with such a strange death. Fun and mystery here! - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY -*** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35600 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the <a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a> -included with this eBook or online at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<div class="container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst">Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City</p> -<p class="noindent pnext">Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy</p> -<p class="noindent pnext">Release Date: March 17, 2011 [EBook #35600]</p> -<p class="noindent pnext">Language: English</p> -<p class="noindent pnext">Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pnext" id="pg-start-line">*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY ***</p> </div> <div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> </div> @@ -10161,340 +10143,6 @@ such a strange death. Fun and mystery here!</p> <p class="pnext">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> <div class="vspace" style="height: 5em"> </div> -<p class="pnext" id="pg-end-line">*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY ***</p> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="level-2 section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg"> -<span id="pg-footer"/><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">A Word from Project Gutenberg</h2> -<p class="pfirst">We will update this book if we find any errors.</p> -<p class="pnext">This book can be found under: <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35600">http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35600</a></p> -<p class="pnext">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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-
-.. meta::
- :PG.Id: 35600
- :PG.Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City
- :PG.Released: 2011-03-17
- :PG.Rights: Public Domain
- :PG.Producer: Roger Frank
- :PG.Producer: the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
- :DC.Creator: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
- :DC.Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City
- :DC.Language: en
- :DC.Created: 1918
- :coverpage: images/cover.jpg
-
-===============================
-THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY
-===============================
-
-.. _pg-header:
-
-.. container::
- :class: pgheader
-
- .. style:: paragraph
- :class: noindent
-
- This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
- almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
- re-use it under the terms of the `Project Gutenberg License`_
- included with this eBook or online at
- http://www.gutenberg.org/license.
-
-
-
- |
-
- .. _pg-machine-header:
-
- .. container::
-
- Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City
-
- Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
-
- Release Date: March 17, 2011 [EBook #35600]
-
- Language: English
-
- Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
- |
-
- .. _pg-start-line:
-
- \*\*\* START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY \*\*\*
-
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
- .. _pg-produced-by:
-
- .. container::
-
- Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net.
-
- |
-
-
-
-
-.. role:: small-caps
- :class: small-caps
-
-.. role:: xl
- :class: x-large
-
-.. role:: sm
- :class: smaller
-
-.. figure:: images/wood-fpc.jpg
- :align: center
-
- DECORATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL.
-
-.. ---File: 003.png
-
-.. class:: center
-
- | :xl:`The`
- | :xl:`Woodcraft Girls`
- | :xl:`in the City`
- |
- | BY
- |
- | LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
- |
- | AUTHOR OF
- | :sm:`THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP,`
- | :sm:`LITTLE WOODCRAFTER’S BOOK,`
- | :sm:`THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS, Etc.`
-
-.. image:: images/wood-emb.png
- :align: center
-
-.. class:: center
-
- | ILLUSTRATED
- |
- | NEW YORK
- |
- | GROSSET & DUNLAP
- |
- | PUBLISHERS
- |
- | COPYRIGHT, 1918,
- | BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
- |
- | PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
-
-.. ---File: 005.png
-
-Acknowledgments are made to Mrs. M. F. Hoisington
-for the photographs; to G. Shirmer, Music Publishers,
-for “Our America”; to W. V. Becker for the legends
-from his “Folk-lore Stories”; to *Christian Science Sentinel*
-for “Items of Interest,” and to other friends who
-co-operated to make this book interesting to young
-readers.
-
-.. ---File: 007.png
-
-.. contents:: Contents
- :backlinks: entry
- :depth: 2
-
-.. ---File: 009.png
-
-CHAPTER ONE—CAMPING IN THE CITY
-===============================
-
-“Girls—guess what?” exclaimed Zan Baker, a
-few days after the return of the Woodcraft
-Band from their summer camp on Wickeecheokee
-Farm.
-
-“Goodness only knows what you have to tell now!”
-laughed Jane Hubert, another of the five girls who
-founded Wako Tribe.
-
-“Well, I got it direct, so the truth hasn’t been
-turned or twisted by any one of you girls before it
-was passed along,” retorted Zan, with a gleam of
-mischief in her eyes.
-
-“Oh, is that so! Well let me tell you this much:
-if I had the rare imagination that you have, Zan, I’d
-compete with Jules Verne,” replied Hilda Alvord, the
-matter-of-fact member of the Band.
-
-“Judging from the talent Zan has in telling stories
-it won’t surprise us very much to hear she is a popular
-authoress,” teased Nita Brampton, the social aspirant
-of the group.
-
-“I’ll illustrate Zan’s books,” quickly added Elena
-Marsh, the fifth member of the Woodcrafters.
-
-“Sort of shine in my reflected glory, eh?” laughed
-Zan, good-naturedly, for all the girls enjoyed this
-form of badinage.
-
-“Girls, girls! This isn’t hearing the ‘wextry’ news
-Zan holds cornered! Give her a chance, won’t you?”
-begged Nita.
-
-“It’s this: Miss Miller wants us to have tea with
-her, to discuss plans for our Winter Camp and to consider
-the advisability of admitting another Band so
-we can apply for a Charter of our Wako Tribe,” announced
-Zan, with due satisfaction.
-
-“When is the party?” eagerly questioned her
-hearers.
-
-“Friday afternoon about four; and she also said
-that if we cared to invite some of the other girls who
-are crazy to join Woodcraft to meet us in the evening
-to hear our Summer Reports read, she thought it might
-give them a fine opportunity to really understand what
-Woodcraft did for us during the few months we spent
-in Camp,” explained Zan.
-
-“Miss Miller can count on me being there right
-on time!” declared Jane, with a determined bob of
-her head.
-
-“Me too!” added Nita.
-
-“It isn’t likely Hilda and I are going to be absent,”
-laughed Elena.
-
-.. ---File: 011.png
-
-Thus it came about that promptly at four o’clock
-on Friday afternoon the five happy girls stood waiting
-at the door of the apartment occupied by their Woodcraft
-Guide. As Miss Miller’s professional business
-in life was teaching physical culture to the High School
-girls at the gymnasium of Clinton High, the honourary
-office as Guide in Woodcraft was more like play
-to the efficient instructor.
-
-Immediately after the bell rang to announce the
-visitors, the door was opened and a cheery voice called,
-“Come right in, girls.”
-
-“Dear me, Miss Miller, isn’t it just too hot for
-anything? And after our lovely cool Bluff down at
-Wickeecheokee!” sighed Nita, as soon as they were
-seated in the front room.
-
-“I will admit that city life certainly is an unpleasant
-change from camping in the woods,” replied Miss
-Miller, taking the hats from her girls and handing
-them each a fan.
-
-“I couldn’t sleep a wink last night in our stuffy
-city rooms!” exclaimed Hilda who lived with her
-mother and younger brother in the ordinary regulation
-flat.
-
-“I didn’t either. I just gasped all night for some
-air,” added Elena.
-
-“Well what are we going to do? We can’t move
-the Bluff to the City and we live in so-called modern
-homes where the only windows open front and back—all
-except Jane’s and my house where there is an extra
-city lot on the side so we can have light from additional
-windows on the sides,” commented Zan,
-thoughtfully.
-
-“It is odd that you girls should speak of this matter
-the very first thing, because it is one of the things I
-wanted to talk over with you before any new members
-join our Band. If you all approve of the plan
-I thought out it not only will give us air enough at
-night but will offer the new Woodcraft members an
-opportunity to win their *coups* for sleeping out-of-doors
-for the required number of nights,” said the
-Guide.
-
-“Oh do tell us what it is?” cried Zan.
-
-“It must take its place in the order of business,”
-rejoined Miss Miller; “now let us open Council in
-the regular way, girls.”
-
-“It won’t seem much like a Council in the regular
-way without a fire and the preliminary lighting of it,”
-complained Nita, who was the fault-finder of the
-Band but was fast out-growing such tendencies.
-
-“Why I thought you girls all knew how to light
-the indoors Council Fire without the slightest danger
-of destroying anything about you!” commented Miss
-Miller, as she went to a small cabinet in the corner,
-where most of her Woodcraft material was
-kept.
-
-Taking out a small shallow pan and an earthen
-bowl, the Guide displayed a squirrel’s nest and some
-wild-wood material in the pan. “I brought this from
-the farm for just such an occasion,” said she, smiling,
-as she placed the earthen bowl on a bread-board and
-handed the pan to Hilda, thus silently authorising
-her to help make fire for that Council.
-
-“Does the bread-board signify anything?” laughed
-Jane, the tease of the group.
-
-“Not having the logs or imitation fire-place for
-the centre of the Council Ring, I thought the next
-best thing would be a square of wood upon which
-to stand the dish. Then too, the bread-board gave
-me a good idea which I will mention later,” said the
-Guide.
-
-While she explained, Miss Miller had gone to the
-cupboard for the rubbing sticks and the necessary
-block and fire-pan of wood. All being ready for the
-ceremony, Zan, who was Chief of the Band and
-Tribe, began.
-
-The usual call to join in a Council was said and
-the girls sat down upon straw mats in a circle about
-the fire-board. Miss Miller proceeded to make fire
-with the rubbing sticks and as the faint spiral of
-smoke was seen to rise from the tiny heap of wood-powder,
-the Woodcrafters called “How!”
-
-The smoke thickened and the pungent odour of
-balsam permeated the room. When the spark hidden
-under the black dust ignited the dry tinder held close
-to it and a tiny fork of flame shot up, the girls exclaimed,
-“How! How!” which is the Woodcraft
-sign of approval.
-
-The fire was now placed in the earthen dish and
-as the wild-wood tinder, that was placed on top of
-the fire flared up, the dish was placed on the board.
-
-.. ---File: 014.png
-
-“We will now sing the Omaha Tribal Prayer,”
-continued the Chief, and the girls stood up to sing
-while the fire burned in the centre of their Council
-Ring.
-
-Elena Marsh, the artistic member of the Band and
-the chosen Tally Keeper, now read the reports and
-mentioned a few items of interest that had occurred
-since leaving the Camp on the Bluff.
-
-“Now we can hear the Guide’s important plan,”
-said Zan, who as Chief of the Tribe, was not compelled
-to ask permission to address the Council as
-all other members have to do.
-
-“O Chief! Even as our Guide spoke of a plan,
-I had a wild idea flash through my mind and I wonder
-if it comes anywhere near to being Miss Miller’s
-idea,” said Jane.
-
-“Share it with your brethren and if it isn’t too
-wild to harness we may train it to do good service
-for us,” said Zan.
-
-“Well, you see, there’s Nita and you and me—we
-all have goodly sized grass-places back of our
-houses. Why couldn’t we raise some tents as long
-as the weather is good and camp out there at night?”
-said Jane exultantly, for she thought she had anticipated
-the Guide’s plan.
-
-“That’s all right, Jane, but maybe Hilda and Elena
-and Miss Miller wouldn’t care to trot from their
-homes every night to sleep in our back yards,” replied
-Zan, ludicrously as usual.
-
-The others laughed at the picture outlined by her
-words, and Miss Miller added: “I think we have a
-more important problem than camps just now. Let
-us decide about the new Band first and discuss the
-out-door sleeping question afterward.”
-
-“I thought you wanted us to settle the matter before
-the new members join us to-night?” returned
-Nita.
-
-“So I do, but let us first find out who the new
-members will be, and then we can better judge
-whether they will accept this camping-out-doors idea,”
-answered the Guide.
-
-“Frances and Anne Mason told me to be sure and
-vote them in at this meeting. They are just crazy
-to join,” declared Jane Hubert.
-
-“And Eleanor Wilbur wants to join us,” said Nita.
-
-“Mildred Howell told Fiji to tell me not to forget
-and propose her,” ventured Zan.
-
-“And I know that Ethel Clifford wants to belong
-to our first Band,” added Elena.
-
-“Well girls, you each have your new member to
-win a *coup*, but I haven’t much time out of school
-to meet the girls, as there is so much work to do at
-home. Jack Hubert said this noon that May Randall
-was asking for me before I met him. If she will let
-me propose her I can keep up with you on this *coup*,”
-said Hilda, whose mother was a trained nurse, thus
-letting most of the care of the home fall upon Hilda’s
-shoulders.
-
-“She told me that that is why she wants to see
-you,” said Jane.
-
-.. ---File: 016.png
-
-“That is very considerate of May Randall,” commended
-Miss Miller.
-
-“Yes, and it recommends her for membership,”
-added Zan.
-
-The other girls agreed with this suggestion, and
-the Guide then said: “That will make eleven girls
-in all—counting you five. I think that ought to be
-enough to work with this Fall,” and Miss Miller began
-to write down the names of the six members proposed.
-
-“But there are loads of other girls who want to
-join us, Miss Miller,” objected Zan.
-
-“I suppose there are, but better not add too many
-new members at one time, Zan; it will tend to divert
-your attention from your own progress, and individual
-work is most important to you at this period in Woodcraft.
-Were you all experienced or old members of
-the organisation, I would approve of enlisting the full
-number of members required for a Tribe,” explained
-the Guide.
-
-“How long will we have to wait before we can be
-a Tribe?” asked Nita, petulantly.
-
-“If this experiment with the new members turns
-out well by Christmas, I should think we might start
-the second Band,” replied Miss Miller.
-
-“Goodness, can’t we start a Tribe before that?”
-cried Jane, impatiently.
-
-“I thought the same as Jane—that we would be
-Wickeecheokee Band and the new members be
-Suwanee Band, and then the two Bands get the
-charter for Wako Tribe,” added Zan, in a disappointed
-tone.
-
-“Some Woodcrafters have done that and found to
-their despair that the new Band knew nothing of the
-work or laws and were continually calling upon the
-first Band for help, but not being under the old Chief
-the first Band had nothing to say about disciplining
-or advising them. If the new members are subject
-to our Chief, they have to obey orders and can watch
-our methods of work for their guidance, and that
-will spare us many useless words and much valuable
-time.”
-
-“Well, as usual, Miss Miller wins the day! Her
-reasons are as sensible as helpful,” commented Jane.
-
-“Good-by Suwanee, I’ll meet you next year!”
-sighed Zan, wafting a kiss with the tips of her fingers
-to an imaginary Band.
-
-“Girls, wherever did you find that name? I
-hunted through an Indian Dictionary of names but
-couldn’t find a thing like it,” asked Miss Miller, laughingly.
-
-“If a simple little symbolic name like that stumps
-you, Miss Miller, what will happen when you join
-the Blackfeet Tribe?” laughed Jane.
-
-“Miss Miller, you know the usual formula given
-in charades—they begin thus: ‘My first is part of
-a name, you see, my second is also a part, O gee!’
-and so on,” explained Zan, while the other girls
-laughed.
-
-The Guide puckered her brow for a few moments
-and the visitors watched eagerly for her to catch Zan’s
-meaning. Then she laughed, too.
-
-“I see! Su—comes from Suzanne, the name of our
-Chief, but so seldom used that I forgot she ever had
-another handle to it than just ‘Zan.’ I must give
-up the rest of the charade, however.”
-
-“Maybe it is buried so deep that the uninitiated
-cannot dig it up, but we girls thought it quite simple:
-‘Su’ for the Chief, as you said; ‘Wa’ for Wako
-Tribe—plain enough; and ‘nee’ for all the other
-members who are willing to change their names from
-white man’s ways to the Indian’s with its wealth of
-meaning and beauty.”
-
-As Zan explained, the Guide shook her head as if
-to admit that it certainly had been buried far beyond
-her power to dig.
-
-“But it sounds pretty, girls,” said she finally.
-
-“Mayhap we will have an improvement on that
-name before the Band comes into existence, who
-knows!” sighed Jane.
-
-“The sooner we start with the new members, then,
-the quicker we will know about the second Band,”
-retorted Zan.
-
-“Shall we vote now to invite the six girls mentioned?”
-asked Elena with Tally Book ready to
-inscribe the names.
-
-The motion was made and seconded that the names
-of the six applicants be written on the roll and that
-evening they would be questioned and admitted if
-acceptable to the Chief and Guide.
-
-.. ---File: 019.png
-
-“Now Miss Miller, if there is nothing else to consider
-let us hear about your idea for a camp in the
-city,” said Zan.
-
-“When I came into this apartment yesterday afternoon,
-its stuffiness struck me much the same as you
-girls said: ‘Close and airless.’ The windows were
-all open but that didn’t seem to make any difference.
-While still gasping for the cool breezes of Wickeecheokee
-I went to my den in the back room and as
-I stood by the window that opens out on the roof of
-the extension downstairs, I made a discovery! Last
-night I slept as comfortably out-of-doors as if on the
-Bluff, and this morning the English sparrows woke
-me with their chattering under the eaves three stories
-above.”
-
-“Miss Miller! Do tell us what you did?” exclaimed
-the curious girls.
-
-“Well, first I took a crex rug from the floor and
-laid it on the extension roof to protect the tin from
-the feet of a cot-bed. Then I carried out a four-fold
-screen and with the smaller three-fold screen from
-my den, I made suitable protection about the cot. The
-camp-cot that I keep in case of an unexpected guest
-remaining over-night was small and light, and provided
-me a good place to rest. The whole affair,
-screens, cot, and mat, took up but half of the small
-roof and early this morning I slipped back through
-the open window and dressed, having enjoyed a fine
-cooling breeze all night.”
-
-“Oh!” sounded the surprised five girls.
-
-.. ---File: 020.png
-
-“You must have slept like a multi-millionaire on
-his sea-going yacht,” laughed Zan.
-
-“I did, and without fear of going to the bottom
-by a torpedo from a submarine,” retorted Miss
-Miller.
-
-“We have a wonderful roof on the back verandah—all
-decked and railed in,” remarked Jane, mentally
-picturing a row of tents on that desirable camp-site.
-
-“I could use the rear porch that opens from our
-dining-room windows,” added Nita.
-
-“We have a box-like porch on the second floor that
-has a back-stair going down from it. It is screened
-in and can be used for a sleeping-place, I s’pose,”
-murmured Elena.
-
-“Our flat-house was built soon after Noah landed
-so we have no sleeping-porch, but I might hang a cot
-from the fire-escape—until the police make me take
-it down,” ventured Hilda, with a thoughtful manner.
-
-The others shouted with merriment at the idea of
-big muscular Hilda swinging from a fire-escape over
-the street.
-
-“I have my lodging all planned out,” now said
-Zan. “I shall utilise that square of side-piazza roof
-over the entrance to Dad’s office. It has a two-foot
-high coping about it and that makes it perfectly safe
-for me in the dark. I can use a screen, too, to hide
-the cot from the street.”
-
-“You girls have all caught my last-night’s idea so
-suddenly that I haven’t had an opportunity to continue
-explaining,” interrupted Miss Miller.
-
-.. ---File: 021.png
-
-“Proceed, fair lady, and we will hold our peace,”
-said Jane, giggling.
-
-“As I enjoyed the reviving night-breezes and
-thought of you poor girls tossing in warm rooms, I
-wondered how we might have an out-door place and
-still feel secluded from prying eyes. Then I remembered
-the small tents we left with Bill on the farm.
-Those of you who have roof-space can erect a tent
-just outside your bed-room window. The tent-opening
-can be directly opposite the window so that you can
-slip in and out without dread of being seen by the
-public. What do you think of it?”
-
-“It’s great!” exclaimed Zan, enthusiastically.
-
-“Not for me,” grumbled Hilda.
-
-“Nor for me,” added Nita, “’cause Mama won’t
-think of letting me have anything so original as a
-camp-tent within a mile of our house—let alone on
-the front roof!”
-
-“If I speak to your father, who is so delighted at
-the improvement in your health, he may induce her
-to look at the plan with different conclusions than
-these you fear,” ventured the Guide.
-
-“Maybe so; Papa said he would do anything on
-earth to have me keep up this Woodcraft stunt,” admitted
-Nita.
-
-“Zan, do you think your father will object if we
-send to Bill for those small tents?” now asked Miss
-Miller.
-
-“Mercy no! Dad won’t say a word if you pitch
-tents all along our entire roof and on the front piazza,
-too, just so there’s room between the canvas cots for
-his sick patients to find their way to his office-door.”
-
-“The public will think Dr. Baker has opened a
-Sanatorium,” laughed Jane.
-
-“Or a Fresh Air Clinic for Flat-Dwellers!” added
-Hilda.
-
-The others laughed provokingly when they saw Zan
-flush for they all liked to tease her.
-
-Miss Miller saw the sudden gleam of anger flash
-from Zan’s eyes and quickly said: “Girls, I am now
-going to indite that letter to Bill Sherman for the
-tents—what shall I say and who wants one?”
-
-“One for Nita, one for Elena, and one for me—and
-of course Zan wants one,” said Jane.
-
-“I can use the same one Fiji and Bob had at the
-beach this Summer,” replied Zan, brightening again.
-“Jane, why don’t you use Jack’s, then the extras can
-go to Miss Miller and Hilda.”
-
-“But Zan, I haven’t a place to camp,” said Hilda,
-dolefully.
-
-“Then I s’pose you’ll have to borrow some of my
-roof,” returned Zan, in a matter-of-fact voice.
-
-“Oh Zan, really! I won’t mind walking back and
-forth every morning and night if you don’t mind my
-using the roof!” sighed Hilda with relief so great
-that the others laughed.
-
-The letter for Bill Sherman, the farmer at Wickeecheokee,
-was given to Zan to mail if her father approved
-of the camp-plan, and then the Guide excused
-herself and went out to see if the tea was ready to
-serve her guests.
-
-That evening the six girls came in and Woodcraft
-reports were read; then they were invited to join the
-Band and the conditions of membership plainly outlined.
-Needless to add, that everyone agreed eagerly
-to abide by the rules and regulations read to them.
-
-On the way home that evening, however, Eleanor
-Wilbur whispered to Frances and Anne Mason who
-were walking with her:
-
-“Of course this Woodcraft fun will be fine when
-we haven’t anything better to do, but you don’t intend
-losing any other fun or meeting because of it, do
-you?”
-
-“Why we are going to go to the regular Councils
-and meet with the other girls for work or play,
-whether it happens when we have invitations for
-other parties or fun, or not,” declared Frances, the
-elder of the two sisters.
-
-“Oh!” said Eleanor, a trifle disconcerted by the
-reply. Then after a few moments of silence she said
-confidentially: “Don’t you think Zan Baker takes
-an awful lot for granted from us girls? Just see how
-she took the initiative in everything to-night.”
-
-“But Zan Baker is the Chief of the Band and has
-to take the lead in Tribal affairs,” explained Anne.
-
-“Oh yes, I know that, but you don’t understand
-what I mean. I think she is too domineering in her
-office and Miss Miller certainly shows a great partiality
-for her. Of course everyone knows that Miss Miller
-bows humbly at the Doctor’s shrine just because he
-got her the position at High School Gym!” said
-Eleanor, significantly.
-
-“Why Ella! It isn’t true! I know for a fact that
-Dr. Baker merely suggested to the Board that Miss
-Miller had resigned from college where she had
-taught for years. Most of us knew what a treasure
-she is, and the Board were only too glad to have her
-consider our school, because the salary is half what
-she was accustomed to receive,” defended Frances.
-
-Eleanor kept silence, but Anne added: “And we
-girls feel sorry for Miss Miller because she gave up
-that college position when her mother was left alone
-and needed her at home!”
-
-The afternoon following the meeting at Miss
-Miller’s home, Hilda fairly bounced into the gymnasium
-where the Guide could generally be found for
-some time after school-hours.
-
-“Oh, Miss Miller, I have the loveliest camp-ground!”
-
-“Better than the fire-escape?” laughed the Guide.
-
-“Better than the roof of a porch! And the funny
-thing about it is that the janitor of our building came
-up himself and said: ‘Miss Hilda, I feel sorry for
-you these hot nights, so you can sleep on the roof if
-you like!’
-
-“Miss Miller, I never breathed a word to him about
-a tent, but he took me up and showed me where I
-could pitch a small tent between the great water-tank
-and the square box-like place where the roof-steps
-come up. A stone parapet almost three feet high
-runs all around the roof, you know, so there isn’t
-any danger of my falling off even if I walked in my
-sleep—which I never do.”
-
-“I think that is fine for you, Hilda,” smiled Miss
-Miller, but she did not add that she had spoken secretly
-to the janitor that morning on her way to school.
-
-“Mother has no objections to this if I will take
-Paul up with me. Paul thinks the plan a dandy one
-so he will be benefited too. I will place a screen about
-his cot or mine so that I will have privacy.”
-
-“Or you could hang a curtain from a ring at one
-side of the tent to one at the opposite side. Then
-Paul could pull or push the muslin to suit himself,
-and it would not be ruined by rain,” suggested Miss
-Miller.
-
-“I’m so glad that we live on the top floor of the
-house, ’cause it will be an easy matter to run up or
-down the short flight of stairs going to the roof.
-When I told mother about it she laughed and said:
-‘You always used to grumble about climbing the four
-flights from the street, but I know how much pleasanter
-it is to be on top instead of under a noisy family
-in a flat.’”
-
-“Your mother is quite right, and then the air is
-always better the higher one goes, and the rents are
-lower—the last not a mean consideration, either,”
-added the Guide.
-
-Jane Hubert came in just then, and her smile signified
-good news. “Father never made the slightest
-objection to the camp idea but he has a still better
-one for me. He says he will erect Jack’s tent on the
-lawn under a group of birches that grow near the
-high brick wall at the back of our place.”
-
-Then Nita came in. “Miracles will never cease,
-Miss Miller. Not only is Mama quite reconciled to
-my camping on the first-story extension roof where
-there is a concrete flooring and a parapet to three
-sides, but she is taking an active part in rearranging
-my bed-room so that I can step in and out of the
-French windows without falling over cushioned
-window-seats and gim-cracks standing about.”
-
-“This is the best news yet, Nita! I felt sure the
-other girls would have no trouble gaining permission
-to camp out. Now we only have to hear from Elena,
-as Zan started in to arrange her tent this noon, I
-hear.”
-
-“Oh, Elena told me that she could have her tent
-on the roof of the side-verandah as planned instead
-of on the boxed-in porch at the back,” hurriedly informed
-Jane.
-
-“Thank goodness we will be able to enjoy the
-Spirit’s blessing of sweet fresh air that is free for all
-mankind,” said Miss Miller, earnestly.
-
-“To say nothing of enjoying a continuation of
-Woodcraft out-of-doors right in a great city,” added
-Jane.
-
-.. ---File: 027.png
-
-CHAPTER TWO—THE NEW MEMBERS
-===========================
-
-Miss Miller had secured permission to use the
-gymnasium for the weekly Council Meetings
-of the Woodcrafters, so she was already there when
-the members of Wickeecheokee Band and the new
-members appeared to hold Council.
-
-“Girls, I bought some straw mats at the ten-cent
-store that I thought we could use about the Council
-Fire,” said the Guide, as the girls all congregated
-about her desk.
-
-“What about those small logs of wood we worked
-at so hard to bark and smooth down?” asked Nita.
-
-“I thought we might make them presentable and
-then cut and paint symbolic totems on them to make
-them look like genuine Indian seats,” said Miss Miller.
-
-“Aren’t they quite good enough as they are?” said
-Eleanor Wilbur, pushing at one of the logs with a
-slender foot.
-
-“I thought they were fine when we barked them
-but now that we are at home and a better idea has
-been given us I approve of following Miss Miller’s
-suggestion,” replied Jane.
-
-“Dad brought home some more of those short fire-place
-logs when he came back from the farm yesterday.
-He says we may want these thin logs for some
-other purpose; and besides, since enrolling our new
-members we haven’t enough of these present logs for
-all to use. They ought to be uniform so *I* say we use
-the mats until we have the thick logs ready to present
-the Lodge,” explained Zan.
-
-“Girls—I have an idea!” cried Elena, the artistic.
-
-“Hold fast to it or it’ll get away from you,”
-taunted Hilda, jokingly.
-
-“S-sh!” said Zan. “Let her go, Lena.”
-
-“About those thin logs we have on hand: Let’s
-build an imitation fire-place for our Council Ring to
-make it look as much as possible like one in a woodland
-camp!”
-
-“Couldn’t we place our dish of smoking tinder
-inside it and make the artifice still better?” asked
-Jane.
-
-“Oh I say!” shouted Zan with such emphasis that
-everyone jumped, and the speaker laughed.
-
-“Where’s that red tissue paper we had for Decoration
-Day trimming of the school auditorium?” asked
-Zan.
-
-“You’ll find it in the property-room with the other
-stuff,” replied Elena, who had charge of decorations
-at school.
-
-“We’ll line the inside of the logs and when the
-fire shines through, make it look like a big blaze, eh?”
-asked Jane.
-
-“No such thing!” said Zan. “We’ll get the janitor
-to change that electric bulb from the chandelier and
-drop it, by wire, down to our fire. Then it will shine
-as long as we need it.”
-
-“I’ll run and see if the janitor is around. Will he
-do it, do you think, Miss Miller?” came from Hilda.
-
-“I think so, he is very obliging, you know,” replied
-the Guide.
-
-“And I’ll get the paper,” remarked Elena.
-
-“You won’t need to do that, Lena, because I have
-orange crêpe paper in the closet that I bought when
-I got the mats. I had much the same idea in mind
-for those logs,” said Miss Miller, going to the closet
-while one of the girls ran for the janitor.
-
-The care-taker of the building not only changed
-the bulb in a short time but assisted Miss Miller in
-rolling the logs from the closet to the place where the
-Council Ring could be arranged. The girls built up
-a square fire-place with a hollow opening in the middle
-where the electric bulb soon depended. The paper
-was fitted inside the square and when the electric
-current was turned on it looked like a glowing fire.
-
-This done, four candles were placed at the fire—one
-at each corner of the square to denote the four
-corners of the earth.
-
-“I purchased extra long candles so they would burn
-two hours, at least. Now that we have the electric
-bulb we need not waste the extra candles for fire-light
-but save them for some other occasion,” remarked
-Miss Miller.
-
-“Everything ready now for Council?” asked Zan,
-looking around at the members.
-
-.. ---File: 030.png
-
-“Everything we can think of,” responded Jane.
-
-“Before we open the Council meeting in the usual
-manner I would like our Chief to read from the
-Woodcraft Manual for Girls on page 10, where it
-speaks of initiations and new members,” requested
-Miss Miller, handing the book to Zan.
-
-“‘When brought into some new group such as the
-school or club, one is naturally anxious to begin by
-making a good impression on the others, by showing
-what one can do, proving what one is made of, and
-by making clear one’s seriousness in asking to be enrolled.
-So also those who form the group: they wish
-to know whether the new-comer is made of good stuff,
-and is likely to be a valuable addition to their number.
-The result is what we call initiation trials, the testing
-of a new-comer.
-
-“‘The desire to initiate and be initiated is a very
-ancient deep-laid impulse. Handled judiciously and
-under the direction of a competent adult guide, it
-becomes a powerful force for character building, for
-inculcating self-control.
-
-“‘In Woodcraft we carefully select for these try-outs
-such tests as demonstrate the character and ability
-of the new-comer, and the initiation becomes a real
-proof of fortitude, so that the new girl is as keen to
-face the trial, as the Tribe she would enter is to
-give it.’”
-
-Zan finished reading and looked up to ask: “Is
-that all you want me to read, Miss Miller?”
-
-“Just a moment, Zan. I now wish to speak a word
-to the new members about what is expected of them.
-We will leave the paragraph about the initiation trials
-for the last, then the girls will not forget what they
-are to do. Read now the paragraph that mentions
-the new work for members.”
-
-So Zan continued. “‘After the new member has
-learned the Laws and taken the initiation tests, the
-first thing to claim her attention is that of qualifying
-for the rank of Pathfinder and later of Winyan, then
-the Achievements, each with its appropriate badge,
-which are described on page 327 of the Manual. In
-time she will have a Woodcraft suit, but this may
-come later.”
-
-“Now Zan,” interrupted the Guide, “turn over to
-page 18 and read (the new members) what we expect
-a Wayseeker to do and be. A Wayseeker is the
-first order of a Big Lodge Girl’s membership.”
-
-“‘To qualify for a Big Lodge—that is, to enter
-as a Wayseeker—one must:
-
-“‘Be over twelve years of age.
-
-“‘Know the twelve Laws and state the advantages
-of them.
-
-“‘Take one of the initiations.
-
-“‘Be voted in unanimously by other members of
-the group.
-
-“‘Having passed this, the candidate becomes a
-Wayseeker and receives the Big Lodge Badge of the
-lowest rank, that is with two tassels on it.
-
-“‘The next higher rank is that of Pathfinder,’”
-read Zan.
-
-.. ---File: 032.png
-
-“So you see, girls, you six will be Wayseekers if
-you pass the trials and fulfil the requirements just read
-to you,” said the Guide. “Now Zan, will you please
-read from page 24—the meaning of a Council Ring?
-Better begin at the bottom of the page where I have
-marked the sentence for you.”
-
-Zan turned over the pages till she found the place
-indicated and read: “‘Why do we sit in a circle
-around a fire? That is an old story and a new
-one.
-
-“‘Then, too, a circle is the best way of seating a
-group. Each has her place and is so seated as to see
-everything and be seen by everybody. As a result
-each feels a very real part in the proceedings as they
-could not feel if there were corners in which one could
-hide. The circle is dignified and it is democratic. It
-was with this idea that King Arthur abolished the
-old-fashioned long table with two levels, one above
-the salt for the noble folk and one below for the common
-herd, and founded the Round Table. At his
-table all who were worthy to come were on the same
-level, were brothers, equal in dignity and responsibility,
-and each in honour bound to do his share. The
-result was a kindlier spirit, a sense of mutual dependence.
-
-“‘These are the thoughts of our Council Ring.
-These are among the reasons why our Council is
-always in a circle and if possible around the fire. The
-memory of those long-gone days is brought back again
-with their simple reverent spirit, their sense of brotherhood,
-when we sit as our people used to sit about the
-fire and smell the wood-smoke of Council.’”
-
-As Zan concluded, the experienced Woodcrafters
-cried: “How! How!”
-
-“I suppose the new members know why we called
-our Band Wickeecheokee Band of Wako Tribe of
-Woodcrafters?” asked Miss Miller, with a slight nod
-in the direction of the six girls.
-
-The new members looked at each other for the
-answer and the Guide continued to explain:
-
-“Wickeecheokee is an old Indian name discovered
-on the ancient records of the County Seat in New
-Jersey where the farm owned by Dr. Baker is located.
-The English interpretation of the name means, ‘Crystal
-Waters.’ Dr. Baker’s farm where we camped last
-Summer has this lovely mountain stream falling down
-the steep side to the Bluff which is a rocky ledge over-hanging
-a pool of about a hundred yards wide, thence
-it rushes on to the Big Bridge near the turnpike road.
-That is why the doctor named his farm after the
-stream—‘Wickeecheokee.’”
-
-“I wish to goodness we girls could have been there
-with you,” sighed Anne Mason.
-
-“‘According to the Constitution of Woodcraft, our
-purpose is to learn the out-door life for its worth in
-the building up of our bodies and the helping and
-strengthening of our souls; that we may go forth with
-the seeing eye, and the “thinking hand” to learn the
-pleasant ways of the woods and of life, that we may
-be made in all wise masters of ourselves; facing life
-without flinching, ready to take our part among our
-fellows in all the problems which arise, rejoicing when
-some trial comes, that the Great Spirit finds us the
-rulers of strong souls in their worthy tabernacles.’
-
-“Each one of you girls is past twelve years of age,
-so that point is covered. Now we will ascertain who
-of the new members know the law, who are acceptable
-to this Band, and who can prove worthy according to
-the initiation tests. You will all begin at the lowest
-rank if accepted in the Band—that of Wayseeker.
-Now Zan, read aloud the initiation test from page 11
-of our Manual.”
-
-The Chief turned back to the page mentioned and
-read: “‘The trial should be approved by the Council
-and be given to the candidate when her name is proposed
-for membership—that is, posted on the Totem
-Pole where it remains for seven suns. In camp a
-shorter time may be allowed at the discretion of the
-leaders.
-
-*1. Silence.* Keep absolute silence for six hours during
-the daytime in camp, while mixing freely with the
-life of the camp. In the city keep silence from after
-school till bedtime.
-
-*2. Keep Good-natured.* Keep absolutely unruffled
-for one day of twelve hours, giving a smiling answer
-to all.
-
-*3. Exact Obedience.* For one week give prompt,
-smiling obedience to parents, teachers, and those who
-have authority over you. This must be certified to
-by those in question.
-
-.. ---File: 035.png
-
-*4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article*, such as a
-basket, a bench, a bed, a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc.
-
-*5. Sleep out*, without a built roof overhead, for
-three nights consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.’
-
-“Now that you have heard what the tests are how
-many of you believe you can qualify—answer by raising
-your right hand and by the word of Woodcraft
-approval?”
-
-The six girls raised six hands and then looked at
-each other sheepishly because the word “How”
-seemed so meaningless to them.
-
-“I forgot to explain that this word ‘How’ means
-‘yes’ or ‘thanks’ or ‘approval,’” hastily added the
-Guide.
-
-Then all said “How!” and the other five girls felt
-that their new members were doing fine work.
-
-“Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while
-we are at it?” asked Zan.
-
-The Guide then demonstrated the sign and action,
-saying: “The hand sign of the girls is the ‘Sun in
-the heart, rising to the Zenith’—given by the right
-hand being placed over the heart, the first finger and
-the thumb making a circle, then swinging the forearm
-so the hand is level with the forehead, thus—.”
-
-Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with
-the meeting.
-
-“In case any of you are not familiar with the
-Woodcraft Laws I will read them aloud to you. And
-Miss Miller, I would suggest right here, that the new
-members write to Headquarters at once and order a
-Girl’s Manual. They will need it daily, and I can’t
-spare mine, you know. We really couldn’t accomplish
-much without this printed Guide of rules and instruction
-and guides.”
-
-Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new
-members:
-
-“‘*1. Be Brave.* Courage is the noblest of all gifts.
-
-*2. Be Silent*, while your elders are speaking and
-otherwise show them deference.
-
-*3. Obey.* Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcraft
-Girl.
-
-*4. Be Clean.* Both yourself and the place you live in.
-
-*5. Understand and respect your body.* It is the
-temple of the Spirit.
-
-*6. Be a friend of all harmless wild life.* Conserve
-the woods and flowers, and especially be ready to fight
-wild-fire in forest or in town.
-
-*7. Word of Honour is sacred.*
-
-*8. Play Fair.* Foul play is treachery.
-
-*9. Be Reverent.* Worship the Great Spirit and respect
-all worship of Him by others.
-
-*10. Be Kind.* Do at least one act of unbargaining
-service every day.
-
-*11. Be Helpful.* Do your share of the work.
-
-*12. Be Joyful.* Seek the joy of being alive.’
-
-These are the twelve laws that every good Woodcrafter
-tries to live up to. Now if the Fire Maker
-will make fire for our Council, I will explain the rays
-that shine from each of the four candles—one at each
-corner of the earth.”
-
-.. ---File: 037.png
-
-The Chief waited for Jane, who was Fire Maker
-for that meeting, to take the rubbing sticks and when
-she stood ready to begin the fire-making, Zan said:
-
-“Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo
-Omnee-chee-yaynee-chopi.”
-
-The opening words of Council concluded by the
-Chief, Jane placed the fire sticks in their proper position
-and began to saw back and forth with the bow
-until a tiny spiral of smoke rose from the fire-block.
-
-The Guide watching, said, “Now light we the Council
-Fire after the manner of the Red man, even also
-as the rubbing together of two trees in the storm-winds
-brings forth the fire from the forest wood.”
-
-Jane blew gently upon the small pyramid of black
-powder in the fire-pan until the smoke grew thicker.
-She then waved it slowly back and forth still blowing
-gently until a minute spark glowed under the black
-dust. At that the girls all cried:
-
-“How! How!”
-
-Then a handful of inflammable wild-wood material
-was touched to the spark and as the smoke curled
-upward filling the immediate vicinity with an aromatic
-pine odour, a tiny flame shot out.
-
-“How! How!” again chorused the Woodcrafters,
-and the tinder now burning brightly, was placed in
-the earthen dish and the dish set in the enclosure made
-by the logs.
-
-With the flame bursting forth, Miss Miller quoted:
-“Now know we that Wakanda the Great Spirit hath
-been pleased to smile upon His children, hath sent
-down the sacred fire. By this we know He will be
-present at our Council, that His wisdom will be with
-us.”
-
-After this Zan read again from the Manual:
-
-“‘Four candles are there on the Shrine of this our
-symbol fire. And from them reach twelve rays—twelve
-golden strands of this the Law we hold.
-
-From the Lamp of Fortitude are these:
-
-*Be Brave.* For fear is the foundation of all ill; unflinchingness
-is strength.
-
-*Be Silent.* It is harder to keep silence than to speak
-in hour of trial, but in the end it is stronger.
-
-*Obey.* For Obedience means self-control, which is the
-sum of the law.
-
-And these are the Rays from Beauty’s Lamp:
-
-*Be Clean.* For there is no perfect beauty without
-cleanliness of body, soul, and estate. The body is the
-sacred temple of the Spirit, therefore reverence your
-body. Cleanliness helps first yourself, then those
-around you, and those who keep this law are truly in
-their country’s loving service.
-
-*Understand and Respect Your Body.* It is the temple
-of the Spirit, for without health can neither strength
-nor beauty be.
-
-*Protect All Harmless Wild-life* for the joy its beauty
-gives.
-
-And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth:
-
-*Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred.* This is the
-law of truth, and anyone not bound by this cannot
-be bound; and truth is wisdom.
-*Play Fair.* For fair play is truth and foul play is
-treachery.
-
-Reverence the Great Spirit, and all worship of Him,
-for none have all the truth, and all who reverently
-worship have claims on our respect.
-
-And these are the Rays in the Blazing Lamp of
-Love:
-
-*Be Kind.* Do at least one act of unbargaining service
-every day even as ye would enlarge the crevice whence
-a spring runs forth to make its blessings more.
-
-*Be Helpful.* Do your share of the work for the glory
-that service brings, for the strength one gets in serving.
-
-*Be Joyful.* Seek the joy of being alive—for every
-reasonable gladness you can get or give is treasure
-that can never be destroyed, and like the spring-time
-gladness doubles, every time with others it is
-shared.’“
-
-Zan concluded reading the interesting words of
-Woodcraft meaning and the girls murmured “How!”
-
-“Now I will propose the name of each applicant
-in turn and the Band must second and approve her
-admission to this Tribe if that is their pleasure. As
-I call out the name will the girl please stand until the
-vote is taken?”
-
-“Frances Mason is the first applicant,” said Miss
-Miller.
-
-Frances stood and paid earnest attention to the
-next rite but Eleanor Wilbur who sat directly back
-of Frances as she stood up, kicked at her ankles
-and giggled as if the whole procedure were a huge
-joke. Although known to the others, the disrespect
-was overlooked at the time.
-
-“Frances, is it your serious desire to become a
-member of this Woodcraft Band?” questioned the
-Chief.
-
-“It is,” replied Frances, trying hard to keep from
-crying out as Eleanor pinched her leg.
-
-“Then learn the laws of the League as well as the
-laws of our Band. To memorise the meaning of the
-Four Lesser Lights that shine from the shrine of the
-Great Light, the Sacred Fire. By taking the initiation
-tests as read for your benefit and by being acceptable
-to every member of Wickeecheokee Band.
-
-“Are there any present who wish to register a
-complaint why Frances should not be admitted to
-our Band or the League?” asked Zan, as she looked
-around the circle.
-
-No one complained, but a stage whisper was heard
-from Eleanor saying: “Everyone’s afraid to speak
-even if they do know something against Frances.”
-
-The whisper was disconcerting but Eleanor tittered
-as if she thought herself very witty, and as Frances
-took her seat beside the rude girl, expecting to give
-her a piece of her mind, the Guide stood up.
-
-“O Chief! While you were addressing the new
-member, I glanced over the Manual to see if we had
-omitted any necessary reading, and I find we have all
-made a serious blunder. Whereas we have six applicants
-for membership in this Band, the Manual clearly
-states that no Band shall have more than ten members.
-We will be compelled to drop one of the applicants.”
-
-This unexpected news acted like a bucket of cold
-water on the girls as no one wished to be dropped.
-After a serious debate, the Chief announced a possible
-solution.
-
-“We will post the names of the six girls on the
-Totem Pole and at the expiration of the period set
-for testing, the one who falls short of the mark must
-resign or, at least, wait for the second Band which
-will form at Christmastime.”
-
-This plan met with approval and each new member
-then and there decided not to be the one left out when
-the enrollment came. So the six girls were admitted
-on probation.
-
-“Now Chief, post the names on the Totem and we
-will stand it near the door where everyone coming in
-or going out can read who the applicants are,” said
-the Guide.
-
-“I s’pose you are doing that to advertise your
-club,” remarked Eleanor, unpleasantly.
-
-“Eleanor Wilbur! A Chump Mark against your
-credit, for you are on trial now and must not speak
-out of order in Council without giving the Chief the
-proper salute and respect,” said Zan, sternly.
-
-“Why how ridiculous of you to give yourself such
-airs, Zan Baker! Anyone would think this was business
-and not fun!” jeered Eleanor.
-
-“It *is* business I’ll have you understand, and if you
-wish to regard it as a butt for your insults or disobedience
-you can resign this very minute!” declared
-Zan, her eyes snapping fire.
-
-But Eleanor had no desire to resign from the only
-thing she knew of where sport for the Winter days
-could be had. So she shrugged her shoulders and
-sulked.
-
-The other girls were duly advised and then the
-Chief ordered the Tally Keeper to enter the record in
-the book and to print the paper that was to be posted
-on the Totem in as artistic a manner as she could
-think of.
-
-“Now before we adjourn, is there any request to
-be made in behalf of the Band?” asked the Guide.
-
-“O Chief! I wish to ask a question,” said Nita,
-standing.
-
-“Speak, O Sister!” replied Zan.
-
-“I talked of a plan while Elena and I were walking
-over here, and she thinks it is fine and dandy! It
-will help us to remember the woods and look forward
-to a camp next Summer.”
-
-“Not that we need an incentive for that!” laughed
-Zan.
-
-“No, but in Winter we’ll find it mighty funny to
-sit in this Gym and fancy we are Indians out in the
-forests. But follow Elena’s instructions and you’ll
-believe you’re at Wickeecheokee all Winter,” replied
-Nita, suggestively.
-
-Nita sat down and Elena stood up. “O Chief!
-Nita and I wish to propose that we imitate the woods
-by scenery. We can buy some cheap cotton or canvas
-stuff and paint trees and rocks and the stream like
-those at our Summer Camp. We can even go so far
-as to have birds singing on the boughs and flying in
-the blue sky.”
-
-Elena waited a moment to see the effect of her
-announcement and Zan said: “The blue sky seems
-to be the limit with your offer!”
-
-The others grinned and Elena frowned momentarily.
-“Don’t you think it a good plan?”
-
-“Fine plan for a house-painter. But who under
-the sun is willing to stay home for weeks and paint
-miles of scenery?” retorted Zan.
-
-“Why it won’t be much trouble. Nita and I will
-offer to paint the scenes if you girls will make the
-uprights to fasten the stuff on when finished,” said
-Elena, anxiously.
-
-“Have you figured out how much this may cost
-us, Nita?” asked the Guide.
-
-“No because I don’t know how large we may
-need it. But any cheap cotton goods will do, you
-know.”
-
-“Miss Miller, we might find out about that,” said
-Elena.
-
-“The new members can begin first lessons in carpentry,
-too,” added Jane.
-
-After discussing the idea, and with Elena’s added
-description of how beautiful it would look—to have
-Pine Nob showing against the sky in the distance, and
-Old Baldy back of Fiji’s cave, the Woodcrafters
-unanimously declared that they must have that scenery
-or lose all interest in the Winter Camp in the Gymnasium.
-
-Miss Miller shook her head dubiously for she knew
-what a tremendous undertaking it would prove to be
-to paint nicely all the yards of material needed to
-enclose a Council Ring.
-
-“Anyway it will do no harm to get prices on stuff
-and the necessary paint,” said Zan, and it was so
-decided.
-
-“Nita and I will attend to that part of it if you
-girls will get the cost of lumber, etc., for the uprights,”
-added Elena.
-
-“O Chief!” said Jane, thinking of a plan to save
-costs. “Why not use that side wall of the Gym
-and do away with that many uprights and stretchers?”
-
-“O Chief! for that matter, why not use a corner
-of this hall and have two sides ready made and substantial,
-and use the uprights for the other two sides?
-With the scenery stretched on all four sides, who will
-ever know there is a solid wall of city plaster back
-of two sides?” suggested the Guide.
-
-“But it will be a ‘corner in wood,’” added Zan,
-facetiously.
-
-“Wah! Wah!” instantly sounded from every old
-Woodcrafter present. The new members looked about
-for an explanation.
-
-“‘How’ is the term for approval and ‘Wah!’ for
-disapproval, or no,” explained the Guide, smiling at
-the reception given Zan’s wit.
-
-.. ---File: 045.png
-
-“Corner or not, that last suggestion is all right!”
-declared Hilda.
-
-“And instead of tacking the scenery on top of the
-poles and having it sag between each upright, why not
-have a wire or rope stretched taut from one pole to
-the next, and so on, and hang the scenery by means of
-hooks?” continued the Guide.
-
-“I suppose such common commodities as clothes-pins
-would be spurned by Indians,” ventured Hilda.
-
-“I should say ‘double yes’!” retorted Zan, slangily.
-
-“It is most apparent that Zan is associating with
-the ‘causes’ of her slang again. She said this Summer
-that the habit was the fault of hearing her brothers
-use it so freely,” remarked Miss Miller.
-
-“This time it was the fault of Hilda’s clothes-pins,”
-laughed Zan.
-
-“Well anyway, clothes-pins are made of forest
-stuff and curtain pins are not!” defended Hilda.
-
-“I will offer my services to the Band and inquire
-of an interior decorator I know, to see what would be
-the best hanger,” said the Guide.
-
-“All right, Miss Miller, you do that and we will
-attend to the rest,” added Jane.
-
-“I suppose two white-wash brushes ought to be
-better to paint with than camels-hair No. 0,” laughed
-Elena.
-
-“Use whatever you like but for goodness’ sake,
-girls, don’t put your ‘atmosphere’ on too thick! It
-will take an age to dry out if you do,” commented Zan.
-
-Then the Council ended with the singing of the
-Zuñi Sunset Song and the quenching of the Council
-Fire—in this case the electric current was switched
-off and the log fire-place taken back to the closet.
-When everything was in order, the girls left and went
-home, eagerly talking over the beautiful scenery-to-be.
-
-.. ---File: 047.png
-
-CHAPTER THREE—HEARD IN THE “SCENIC FOREST”
-==========================================
-
-After leaving the other girls at the corner of
-Maple Avenue, May Randall and Eleanor Wilbur
-walked on alone. May was large for her age,
-but most enthusiastic over Woodcraft as she was a
-devotee of gymnastics and all out-door exercises.
-
-“Isn’t that Woodcraft foolishness a perfect
-scream?” said Eleanor, jeeringly.
-
-May looked at her companion with surprise. “A
-scream! Why don’t you think it is splendid?”
-
-“Oh, it answers well enough when one has nothing
-else to do, but you won’t catch me giving my time to
-making things or helping work just to boost a League
-that wants free advertising,” retorted Eleanor.
-
-“Why Eleanor Wilbur! You know that isn’t true.
-Why would the Woodcraft League want advertising?
-They should worry whether we girls boost or not.
-The cost of keeping this thing going is far beyond
-what we pay in. That Manual alone is worth ten
-times the price we are charged for it. Then too, each
-Band has the free right to make its own individual
-laws and work or meet as it likes,” defended May.
-
-“I suppose you are so mesmerised by Zan and Miss
-Miller, who are crazy about the thing, that you can’t
-see how silly the ideas of Council, or singing, or obeying
-laws are! Of course the camping and fun are all
-right!”
-
-“If that’s the way you feel about it why not resign
-now before your name is posted on the Totem? You
-know there is one too many.”
-
-“Why should I resign when I want some fun this
-Winter? Resign yourself if there is one too many!
-If I had the money Jane Hubert or Zan Baker have
-for an allowance, you wouldn’t catch me wasting time
-with your old Band. I’d go to a matinee every chance
-I’d get, and have other fun, too. But I never get
-enough spending-money to buy decent candy, let alone
-go to a good show!” complained Eleanor.
-
-May made no reply but she looked at her companion,
-and Eleanor, glancing at her as she concluded, read
-May’s thoughts.
-
-“I suppose you are such a Pharisee that you couldn’t
-think of anything so wicked as a theatre or a little
-supper-party,” ventured Eleanor, with a mean sneer.
-
-“I guess I’ll turn down this street and walk home
-alone. I prefer it to any such company as you can
-offer me,” retorted May. And that sentence caused
-all the after trouble.
-
-“Old hypocrite!” muttered Eleanor to herself, as
-she went on alone. “She thinks by pandering to the
-first Woodcrafters she’ll push herself in. But those
-five girls are too clannish to admit outsiders into their
-charmed circle, and that sweet pussy-footed Miller is
-worst of all!”
-
-.. ---File: 049.png
-
-Hence Eleanor was not in the friendliest of moods
-when she met May at school the following morning.
-She pretended not to see her and only when May spoke
-directly to her, did she reply. May said nothing to
-the other girls about the conversation that took place
-between them on that walk home the day before,
-although Eleanor thought she had.
-
-The names of the six members-to-be were posted
-on the Totem Pole which was placed at the entrance
-to the gymnasium where every scholar going in or
-coming out could read the notice.
-
-At recess-time the Woodcrafters were the centre
-of attraction and many eager requests from other
-girls to be allowed to join the Tribe, was the result of
-the notice on the Totem Pole.
-
-“Just can’t do it, girls! We have one too many
-as it is. A Band is only allowed ten members and
-we have eleven proposed, so one has to be dropped,”
-explained Zan.
-
-“Which one?” asked Martha Wheaton, curiously.
-
-“We won’t know until the time for testing is up.
-The one that falls short will have to make a graceful
-exit, I s’pose,” replied Jane.
-
-“It ought to be Eleanor Wilbur, then. She’s going
-around telling everybody what a farce the whole business
-is. She acts as if she had a bone to pick with
-you girls. Did anything happen at the Council to
-antagonise her?” said Martha.
-
-“Why—no! I thought she was enjoying herself
-immensely. I’ll go and ask her if she intends to drop
-out,” said Zan.
-
-“But don’t tell who told you! I don’t want to get
-in bad with her—you know what a mean tongue she
-has!” hurriedly cried Martha, wishing she had kept
-quiet about the entire affair.
-
-“Hey, there, Ella! Wait a minute—I want to see
-you!” called Zan, running after the girl who was
-making for the doorway.
-
-“What do you want? I’m going in to study!”
-snapped Eleanor, fearing Zan meant to find fault with
-her about May Randall.
-
-“I just heard something about your way of looking
-at our Woodcraft work, so you’d better make up your
-mind to-day whether you meant what you said or not.
-There’re piles of other girls only waiting a chance to
-grab what you laugh at!” Zan spoke angrily as she
-stood at the foot of the door-steps looking up at
-Eleanor.
-
-Eleanor half-turned at the entrance door and
-sneered: “I read part of that poky Manual last
-night, and I couldn’t find a single thing there that
-would authorise a Chief to call down a member of
-the Tribe outside of Woodcraft meetings. I can do
-or say what I please without your over-bearing dominion
-of my rights!”
-
-Zan felt like throwing her Latin book at Eleanor’s
-head, but Jane ran up and whispered: “Forget it!
-Give her rope enough and she’ll hang herself, all
-right!”
-
-.. ---File: 051.png
-
-And as Zan turned away with Jane, Eleanor watched
-them and thought to herself: “I’d better not say
-anything that’ll get to that Miller’s ears, or she’ll remove
-my name from the Totem without as much as
-saying ‘By your leave!’ But I’ll have it out on that
-May Randall, all right, for tattling what she should
-have considered a confidential talk.”
-
-Down in her heart, Eleanor knew she wanted to
-be a member of Woodcraft, not for the fun alone,
-but because she saw what it had done for the five girls
-that Summer. She longed to be a different type of
-girl from what she generally was, but so all-powerful
-was her human will that it kept her from doing or
-saying what she really wished to; and so cowardly
-was the trait to make strangers believe her charmingly
-perfect, that she generally found herself in trouble
-about one friend or another. Even at home, she
-praised the maid to her face and then denounced her
-to her mother. Had she dared she might have carried
-out the same hypocrisy between her mother and father,
-but Mr. Wilbur was the one being for whom she had
-any fear or respect, so she never misrepresented things
-to him.
-
-It was not the *real* Eleanor that scoffed at Woodcraft
-and gossiped injuriously about it, but the weak
-mortal self that was the wretched counterfeit of the
-real and true Eleanor. The girl had not yet discovered
-this duality in her nature, but she had felt
-a growing dissatisfaction with herself and her environment
-since entering High School, and this unhappy state
-of mind aggravated her desire to belittle
-others or their efforts to climb to a higher plane of
-living.
-
-Had Eleanor stopped to diagnose her feelings and
-actions she would have realised that the “misunderstandings”
-(as she termed the quarrels and trouble
-resulting from her poisoned darts of gossip) could
-be easily traced to the vindictive and malicious desires
-she entertained, while the sweet and pure and altogether
-attractive qualities that had been paramount
-in her early childhood years were becoming weaker
-and weaker through lack of expression. So at fourteen,
-at the character-forming time when a girl needs
-to be on guard that all undesirable tendencies are carefully
-eliminated to keep them from taking root for all
-future years, Eleanor, and those she associated with,
-were in a constant state of confusion and irritation
-created by her stubborn and selfish wilfulness.
-
-During the week following the first Council meeting
-of the new members, the Band bought materials
-and began work on the forest scenery and wooden
-upright stands. Elena, Nita, and May Randall were
-given the roll of white duck to paint, while the other
-girls measured and sawed and hammered the 2 x 4
-timbers to make the uprights necessary to hold the
-scenic walls of the woodland camp.
-
-All that week Eleanor had been one of the first
-of the Woodcrafters to be on hand, but the moment
-the actual carpentry began, she would sigh, and scoff,
-and belittle the efforts of the others, or wonder why
-anyone spent good time on such foolish ideas!
-
-Miss Miller had heard rumours of Eleanor’s gossip
-and she overheard several disturbing criticisms made
-during the work on the carpentry, but she said nothing
-at the time.
-
-Of all the people who knew Eleanor well, Miss
-Miller was about the only one who studied the girl
-and understood the *chemicalisation*, so to speak, of
-the processes going on within the girl’s consciousness.
-The evil desires were fermenting and souring her
-nature while the sweetness and purifying elements
-were gradually being spoiled so that presently, a Judas-natured
-individual would claim the victory over the
-true, and the battle would be lost for the side of the
-divine and eternal self.
-
-It was with a thrill of gratitude then, that the
-Guide recalled her deep perplexities over the waywardness
-of Nita, that same Summer on the Farm. How
-she had studied every phase of the problem and finally
-won out to the ever-growing betterment of the
-girl.
-
-“If I can only win the slightest hold on this girl’s
-innate goodness and learn how to appeal to her higher
-self, I feel sure I can weed out the ‘tares’ even if it
-takes a long time. It is well worth the fight for the
-‘wheat’ waiting to be garnered,” murmured Miss
-Miller as she reached the Gymnasium door. Which
-goes to show what the Guide really thought of Woodcraft
-and the privileges given her whereby to improve
-the morals and manners of the girls entrusted to her
-care.
-
-“Everybody waiting for me to-day?” cheerily
-called the Guide as she hurried in where the girls
-were waiting to hold a Saturday afternoon Council.
-
-“Yes, we’re crazy to pass judgment on the scenery.
-Elena makes such a secret of it that not one of us
-has seen it since she had it sketched out with charcoal.
-It’s back there in that huge roll. The boys brought
-it in the car a few minutes ago,” explained Zan.
-
-“And did you finish the uprights so we can hang
-the duck?” asked Miss Miller.
-
-“Everything is back in the corner where we decided
-to have our forest,” replied Jane.
-
-“Then we can go right to work and place our
-trees and seats, and some of you can build the log
-fire-place in the centre for a Council,” said the energetic
-Guide.
-
-A hubbub of instructions and calls and running to
-and fro continued after this for some time. Miss
-Miller tried to superintend the raising of the “huge
-forest timbers.”
-
-“Say! Won’t one of you girls with nothing to do
-help me hook up this side of the trees?” called Elena,
-anxiously, as she found the weight of the duck too
-heavy to manage alone.
-
-“You’ve got the trees upside-down!” laughed Jane.
-
-“No I haven’t! That’s the way Nita painted this
-piece,” retorted Elena.
-
-“Why it looks more like an early settler’s log stockade
-than the beautiful woodland hillside back of the
-Bluff,” replied surprised Jane, eyeing the painting with
-her head on one side.
-
-“S-sh! Nita’ll hear you! She is so proud of it!
-She says it is a much better line of trees than my
-forest!” whispered Elena, proudly displaying her art
-work.
-
-Zan came over to assist in hanging the duck and
-smiled behind the painting as she heard Elena explain
-the various “scenes” depicted on the great stretch
-of cotton.
-
-“This is the flat rock where we sat telling bedtime
-stories; here is the swimming pool, and up there is
-Fiji’s cave. I tried to get in Bill’s cottage below the
-Bluff but my paint gave out,” explained Elena, as the
-three girls lifted and stretched the canvas and hung
-the hooks over the taut wire.
-
-“But the way you measured and cut the scenery,
-we’ll have to unhook the cave and Bluff every time
-we need one side open. You made the other three
-sides all stockade, you see,” commented Zan.
-
-“That’s so! I never thought of that. We will have
-to omit one whole side at times, won’t we?” responded
-Elena,
-
-“Still, I think it will be easier to fold down or
-hang up a Bluff than to hew through a great row of
-giant tree-trunks, Zan,” laughed Jane.
-
-Finding Elena too serious over her painting to
-laugh or enjoy a joke about it, the other two girls
-called that all was ready for the admiring audience.
-
-.. ---File: 056.png
-
-As the group stood about the Council circle looking
-over the woodland scene, some smiled, some sniffed,
-and some looked delighted at the result. Miss Miller
-saw the disappointment on Nita’s face and remarked:
-“We joyfully accept this attempt to paint
-the cherished mental picture of Wickeecheokee Camp—a
-scene that defies all words or arts to describe.”
-
-“But Miss Miller, you must admit that this scenery
-is misleading to new Woodcrafters. We have ranted
-of stars, and streams, and the breath of balsam pines;
-but where, oh where, is there any such ‘atmosphere’
-to be found in this painting!” Zan cried dramatically,
-as she posed and threw out both arms towards the
-canvas.
-
-“Atmosphere! Good gracious, Zan, can you ask
-for more!” laughed Jane, in response to Zan’s call.
-“Did you ever smell such an odour of the turpentine
-that comes from pine?”
-
-The girls all laughed but Nita complained pathetically:
-
-“If you girls *knew* the job it was to smear all that
-paint on the old stuff, you wouldn’t poke fun at the
-trees. Why, the duck soaked up my paint as fast as
-I put it on, so of course I had to use gallons of turp
-to make it spread at all. Even then, it dried before
-I could shade any bark on my trees.”
-
-“You all say I am too matter-of-fact a cook to be
-an artist, but I bet I could take a handful of the
-superfluous paint on those trees and knead it into
-something resembling ‘tall timbers’,” now commented
-Hilda.
-
-“No one could! Why we had to hang the duck
-along the wall of our attic and stand on an old library
-table while we painted the tops of the trees! Just try
-to make bark or leaves on a tree that has to be painted
-with a heavy kalsomine brush. Our arms got so lame
-before we painted an hour that we fairly cried with
-the ache in the bones,” said Elena, defiantly.
-
-“Yes, and Elena’s attic is so bespattered with raw
-umber and ivory black that Mrs. Marsh says she will
-have to stain the entire floor now to make it look
-decent again,” added Nita.
-
-“Well girls, we are all genuine Woodcrafters, so
-we hail with thanksgiving this scenery that fills our
-lungs with the pungent odour of the forest. I, for
-one, will breathe deeply of this pine product!” laughed
-Miss Miller, turning the criticism to fun.
-
-“Well, all I can say is that I feel grateful for these
-great stout logs that will protect us from Winter’s icy
-winds and the hungry horde of howling wolves—the
-menace of pioneers in the forest!” added Zan.
-
-“They’re all right in Winter but how about the
-longed for shade in Summer when the fierce rays of
-the sun beat upon our unprotected heads? We have
-no branches overhead,” remarked May, whimsically.
-
-“Now you’ve all joshed Nita and me quite enough—let’s
-proceed with the Council,” said Elena, looking
-beseechingly toward Miss Miller.
-
-So the meeting was opened and during the singing
-of the Prayer of Invocation, the Guide focussed her
-camera and took a snap-shot of the girls standing in
-the “Scenic Woodland Council.”
-
-After the Tally of the last meeting had been read
-and other business disposed of, Miss Miller said:
-
-“Is there any particular work you girls plan to do
-this coming week?”
-
-“O Chief!” said Nita, jumping to salute Zan.
-“We really must plan some new dances for this Fall,
-especially if we are going to celebrate a big Hallow
-E’en Council and invite our friends.”
-
-“As this is the last week of September, we haven’t
-any too much time, either,” added Jane.
-
-“Well, let’s commission Nita to dig up some new
-and entertaining folk songs that can be acted out in
-a dance,” suggested Zan, looking to the Guide for
-approval of the idea.
-
-“Elena, make a note in your Tally that Nita will
-find us some new dancing songs before next Council,”
-replied Miss Miller.
-
-“O Chief!” now spake Hilda. “When we broke
-camp for the Summer we were all quite keen to win
-*coups* for needle-craft, carpentry, and other work.
-Besides, we want to secure degrees for some of the
-big stunts like Mrs. Remington’s Tribe have
-won.”
-
-“Oh, that reminds me! Elizabeth Remington said
-she would gladly help us to learn how to start the
-pottery and carpentry work. Then too, she said her
-mother thought we ought to plan to have a Little Lodge
-attached to our Tribe, as many Big Lodges have,”
-cried Zan, eagerly.
-
-“It is very good of Elizabeth to offer her time to
-help you girls; as for the Little Lodge, I would not
-think of it till your two Bands are filled and the Tribe
-is chartered and well under way,” replied the Guide.
-
-“O Chief! Can’t we start the pottery work first
-’cause Zan knows a lot about designing since she
-started that class-work in school,” suggested Hilda.
-
-“I was not aware that Zan had graduated from the
-School of Design so soon. Did you really finish in
-two lessons, Zan?” teased the Guide.
-
-“Oh, you know what Hilda means—she thinks that
-now I can find out about real designing we all can
-profit by it,” explained Zan.
-
-“Instead of pottery which is a step beyond carpentry,
-I would suggest that the Band make some objects
-in wood according to the Manual rules for winning
-*coups*,” advised Miss Miller.
-
-“Why can’t you old members wait a little while
-and give us new members time to win the flower, star,
-and tree *coups* such as you earned at Camp this Summer?”
-asked Frances Mason.
-
-“We can all begin together on carpentry and at
-times when we are not together, or you new members
-are not in on some of the things we do, you can catch
-up on those easy winners,” said Zan.
-
-So the entry was made in the Tally Book directly
-after the note reading: “Nita will find new folk
-songs for a dance before next Council.”
-
-.. ---File: 060.png
-
-It read: “Begin some object in carpentry using
-own designs and material, suitable to claim a *coup*
-with all provisions met.”
-
-“Now that that is off our minds let’s have Miss
-Miller tell us an Indian myth or story. We haven’t
-heard one since that last week on the farm,” petitioned
-Jane.
-
-“And I happen to know that she received a package
-of books from the Smithsonian Institution at Washington,”
-added Zan.
-
-“How! How!” chorused the other girls, so the
-Guide felt called upon to contribute her share to the
-Council meeting.
-
-“I really had planned something so different from
-this, that I must have a moment in which to think,”
-murmured the Guide.
-
-“Oh dear me! That’s always the way with us!
-We are so impatient to make Miss Miller work for
-her honourable position, that we generally manage to
-‘cut off our noses to spite our faces,’“ sighed Elena
-so plaintively that the others laughed.’”
-
-“My original idea will not spoil by delay, so I will
-tell the story now which is really much easier than
-the work I planned,” rejoined Miss Miller.
-
-“Well, at least tell us what your plan was and let
-us judge of its merits,” declared Zan, coaxingly.
-
-“I never satisfy idle curiosity if I recognise it, but
-I will tell you a story of what happened to some
-Eskimo Indian children who indulged in this undesirable
-inclination to their undoing.
-
-.. ---File: 061.png
-
-CHAPTER FOUR—THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND
-=====================================
-
-“This myth is told by the Sea Lion-town People
-from Alaska and is called, ‘A Tale of a Red
-Feather,’” began Miss Miller.
-
-“A group of children were playing ball with a
-woody excrescence which they had found in the bole
-of a tree. It had been rubbed down and polished until
-it was smooth and shiny as could be.
-
-“As they knocked the ball back and forth, shouting
-with glee if one of their band happened to miss it,
-a small red feather floated down from the clouds
-and blew gently to and fro just over their heads. As
-it was wafted about in the eddying breeze, it attracted
-the attention of the youngsters who watched it with
-eager curiosity.
-
-“It never came nearer the earth than just above
-the heads of the children and as they speculated concerning
-it, one of the boys declared it must be a magic
-feather. Another said it might be a prince bewitched
-by an evil spell-binder, and still another said it was
-from a Red Eagle that soared from the Happy Hunting
-Grounds.
-
-“The latter idea seemed to take hold of the children
-and they cried ‘We want it if it fell from the Happy
-Hunting Grounds.’
-
-“So most of them jumped up trying to catch it
-as it floated over their heads. The tallest boy, making
-a high leap, seized it, but instead of bringing it down
-to the ground with him, his hand stuck fast as if by
-some unseen power. He struggled but could not release
-himself and gradually he was drawn up from
-the earth.
-
-“He screamed, and his brother seeing the awful
-magic working, caught hold of his hand to stay him.
-But he, too, was stuck fast to his brother’s hand and
-was lifted up against his will.
-
-“Then another boy caught hold on to the second
-lad’s feet and he, too, was drawn up unwillingly.
-Soon, all the children, then the parents who sought
-to save their little ones, next the townspeople, and
-lastly the dogs and cats and donkeys, and every living
-creature in the town—all but the niece of the Town
-Chief were drawn up.
-
-“This girl remained sleeping upon a couch behind
-a screen and was quite unaware of what was happening
-to her kinsmen and townspeople and the creatures
-that had lived in the town.
-
-“The victims of Red Feather were carried up, up,
-up, to a great cloud that hung waiting to receive them.
-There they were kept until the waters in the cloud
-washed them all to bones and then bleached the bones
-white. But that comes later.
-
-“The niece, strangely enough, was awakened by the
-great stillness. She listened and then sprang out of
-bed wondering what kept everyone so silent. No
-shouting of children, no braying of donkeys, no fighting
-of cats and dogs, no bargaining of townspeople!
-
-“She peered from behind the screen and found no
-moving or living being, so she quickly dressed and
-ran out to call, but no answer came. She ran through
-the houses and found them vacant, and left as if they
-had been abandoned in a great hurry. The canoes
-were still tied to their posts or lying upon the beach,
-so it was quite evident that her people had not gone
-by the water-way. The great mountains back of the
-village offered no temptation to the villagers and the
-maiden knew they had not disappeared that way.
-
-“She went home to think over this strange thing
-and as she thought, she feared some evil worker had
-succeeded in making magic against her people. Reaching
-this conclusion, the maiden ran out and stood near
-the spot where her cousins first saw the feather. She,
-too, saw a tiny red feather dance about her head but
-she was too troubled to account for her friends to
-give the temptation another thought.
-
-“Having no curiosity or desire to possess the red
-feather gave her the power to see it as it was. As
-the feather still fluttered about, the girl was able to
-witness the whole sight of her people and every living
-creature of the village excepting herself, drawn up
-to the black cloud and left dangling there.
-
-“Then she ran back to her tepee and wept. She
-wept gallons of salty tears before she became reconciled
-to her fate. But the tears relieved her sorrow
-and she went forth to seek for a memento of her
-brothers and sister. Where the children had been
-playing ball she found a shaving her brother had
-whittled from the wood from which he was making
-a spear just before he was caught up. She next found
-a feather from the arrow her cousin had been making.
-Then she found a chip of red cedar bark her brother
-had held, and a wild crab-apple blossom her little sister
-had plucked. Lastly, the maiden saw the footprints
-in the mud, of another brother as he had stood catching
-at the heels of his cousin. All these relics she
-gathered up carefully and placed them in a blanket.
-
-“The blanket was securely bound by the four corners
-and the gallons of salty tears poured over it.
-Then the girl blew her nose violently to call magic,
-and poured the remainder of her tears over the covering
-that held the treasures.
-
-“This last rite performed, the maiden carried the
-blanket to her couch behind the screen and sat down
-to wait. After many days she opened the blanket
-again and there she found a babe. It had a small
-shaving stuck to its forehead. She took the babe out
-and tied the blanket corners together again. Then
-she mothered the babe till it grew strong and as fine
-as her brother had been before it.
-
-“After a time, she opened the blanket again and
-lo! there she found another fine child, but a bit of
-cedar bark was stuck to its forehead. The boy was
-also mothered and grew to be a fine lad.
-
-.. ---File: 065.png
-
-“The third time the girl opened the blanket she
-found a boy with a feather stuck to his forehead. The
-fourth child had a clod of mud on the sole of each
-foot, and so on, the children came until nine fine lads
-had been mothered and reared, and then came a little
-girl who carried a crab-apple blossom in her hand.
-
-“The ten children were carefully reared and taught
-many wise things that all Indians should know. They
-had plenty of food and clothing as every house in the
-town was there to take from.
-
-“One day, the eldest lad inquired: ‘Mother, why
-lies yonder village so empty?’
-
-“And she replied: ‘My child, it is your uncle’s
-town that lies empty because of idle curiosity. And
-this is what happened to everyone living in the village.’
-
-“Then she told the children the story as I have
-told it to you, even the punishment that comes with
-curiosity and the payment demanded from any who
-deem they can do what others cannot.
-
-“And the boy asked: ‘Where is the ball, mother?’
-
-“She replied sadly: ‘Ah, my son, I may not show
-you the hidden place of that ball for it contains magic
-that brings evil to anyone touching it. Better leave
-*skîtq! a’-ig. ādAñ* in the tree where it grows.’
-
-“But the boys were overcome with curiosity to see
-and try this magic they were warned against. So,
-secretly they found the right bole of the tree where
-an excrescence grew and it was cut out. They worked
-it smooth and round until it was polished enough to
-play ball with.
-
-.. ---File: 066.png
-
-“The little sister had not been told of her brothers’
-mischief or she would have dissuaded them—or at
-least, she would have warned the mother that the
-boys had disobeyed her wishes.
-
-“They tossed the ball gleefully back and forth and
-soon a tiny red feather floated over their heads but
-little sister warned them not to touch it as it was the
-same evil magic that had drawn all their kin away
-from earth.
-
-“But the oldest lad scoffed at her fears and clutched
-at the feather. Instantly, he was turned to mucus,
-right before their eyes! And this mucus was waved
-violently back and forth till it was stretched out into
-a long thread. As it was pulled up to the black cloud
-overhead, one end of the mucus still stuck fast to the
-ground and the red feather tugged and tugged to tear
-it loose.
-
-“The second brother caught hold of the mucus and
-was turned to a shaving. But this was whirled around
-and around until it spun dizzily and one end of the
-shaving reached the cloud but the other still whirled
-on the ground.
-
-“The third boy ran up and caught hold of it and
-was instantly turned into a strip of cedar bark. After
-being rolled and pulled the bark began to stretch and
-finally one end was up in the clouds and the other
-still remained upon the earth.
-
-“When the boy with the mud soles caught hold
-of the red cedar chip, he was turned to mud. As this
-was spun out, some of it was carried up to the cloud
-while some of it still clung to the earth but a fine
-thread of mud stretched between the two mud-lumps.
-
-“But the next boy caught the wild crab-apple blossom
-from his sister’s hand and stamped upon the mud
-from his brother’s sole that lay upon the ground. As
-he stamped he called to his sister: ‘I am strong!
-Hurry—make medicine to save us.’
-
-“And the sister cried: ‘Be a man! Be strong and
-I will save you!’
-
-“But he was turned to a crab-apple tree right before
-her eyes. He was being dragged up to the cloud
-but the red feather had great difficulty to tear it away
-from the earth, as the roots had quickly grown down
-into the ground. One strong root still held in the earth
-and red feather was tugging hard to loosen it from
-its hold when little sister ran up and jumped upon
-this root. She then climbed up the long-drawn-out
-crab-apple tree, all the while making strong medicine
-and slashing out with a long sharp sword.
-
-“The red feather flew madly about and when, at
-a mighty slash of the sword, the evil magic fell to
-earth, its power was gone forever!
-
-“Then immediately after it came the nine brothers
-who were not hurt for red feather had lost its magic
-to hurt any more.
-
-“And on top of the children came down the
-whitened bones of the villagers, and last of all crashed
-down the remains of the dogs and cats and donkeys
-that had lived in the village in the long-ago.
-
-“The wild crab-apple tree had not had its root
-pulled from the ground before red feather was slashed
-down to earth, so little sister slid down that root and
-reached the place where all the brothers, and villagers,
-and creatures lay in a heap together.
-
-“She spat medicine upon her brothers and they
-each took a natural form again, and were over-joyed
-at seeing themselves at home. Then she spat medicine
-upon the bones of her kins-people and they all returned
-to life. Next the villagers were brought back and then
-the dogs, because they are man’s best friends; then
-the donkeys, for they help carry the burdens of man;
-and lastly the cats for they kill vermin but are in
-themselves no other good to man.
-
-“So the people and every creature thanked little
-sister for the strong medicine she had made to bring
-them all safe back home. Then she told them that
-they need never have been dead or kept up in that
-cloud had they known themselves and their power
-over all evil magic.
-
-“And from that day, the people taught their children
-first, above every other knowledge, ‘Know Thyself,’
-then the next thing the children were taught was,
-‘Know that evil has no power or magic for one who
-Knows Himself!’”
-
-As Miss Miller concluded the story the Woodcrafters
-cried “How! How!”
-
-“What a strange story—it sounds almost like an
-allegory with a deep meaning,” said Jane.
-
-“It is, and has hidden in its fanciful pictures described,
-the story of the Adam creation, of the Fall
-of Man, the New Birth of a Saviour, and the final
-resurrection from the dead when evil has been thrown
-to earth. At least, that is what I found in it as I
-studied its text and realised how much was buried in
-the words,” replied Miss Miller.
-
-“Miss Miller,” came from Zan warningly, “remember—I
-too have that book from the Smithsonian!”
-
-The Guide laughed. “Well, what if you have?”
-
-“I fear you will be drawn up to the black cloud by
-black magic unless you hasten to make amends for
-your deception,” threatened Zan.
-
-“O Chief! I move that you tell us what evil deed
-the Guide has forced upon us!” cried Jane, watching
-the two eagerly.
-
-“O Brothers—or in this case, I should say ‘O
-sistern,’ our hitherto revered Guide wove magic before
-your eyes as you did not know that her tale was but
-half the story in the book. Now I shall make strong
-medicine and you shall see the magic leave her in our
-power,” spoke Zan, in a thundering tone, meantime,
-weaving a spell in the air with her hands and fingers,
-to the amusement of the girls.
-
-Miss Miller, laughing, knew Zan would give her
-no peace until she had accomplished her purpose—in
-this particular case, the conclusion of the legend.
-So she stood up and saluted.
-
-“Ha! the medicine worked quickly, sistern!”
-laughed Zan, seating herself.
-
-“The second half of this tale may be applied by
-each one here to some profit,” remarked Miss Miller,
-as a prelude to her legend.
-
-“The day following the one the people had been
-returned to their homes and living, the boys found
-the little red feather in the dust where it had fallen
-when slashed down from the cloud.
-
-“In great anger and spite they began to tear it to
-bits and throw the down hither and thither. When
-they could find no further evidence that the evil magic
-had once been powerful, they suddenly found themselves
-in a snow-storm.
-
-“It snowed and snowed until everything was covered.
-It piled up everywhere—on houses, stalls, town,
-and trees—all were snowed under and no day-light
-could peep in at the air-holes or doorways.
-
-“Then little sister, who had been sleeping a long
-time, awoke and got up. She heard the cries of her
-people who wanted air and light, and she knew she
-must make medicine to help them overcome the evil
-they had brought upon themselves through spite and
-mistaken punishment.
-
-“So she made strong medicine and gave it to her
-brothers to rub on the door-posts. They did and the
-snow melted instantly so that they could breathe and
-see, but the snow still lay piled up in the streets and
-over the other houses. And it also covered the smoke-hole
-of their house so that no fire could burn to prepare
-the food. Still the snow fell and fell until it
-seemed that the doorway would again be blocked
-up.
-
-.. ---File: 071.png
-
-“Then little sister called upon her mother for help,
-and together they made medicine and then called upon
-the birds to help.
-
-“A blue jay soon flew over the smoke-hole of the
-house and dropped a ripe elder-berry down through
-the opening. As the berry touched the snow, the ice
-and sleet melted and soon vanished so that the roof
-was clear.
-
-“Now little sister took the berry and wherever it
-touched ice or sleet or snow, the frozen magic melted
-and left off being.
-
-“The blue jay flew over the other houses and
-dropped a berry down each smoke-hole. In many
-homes the berry was used as advised and these families
-were soon out of the ice and cold. In other places the
-people were too busy shoveling snow to bother with
-the blue jay’s berry and they remained frozen still.
-Some used the berry to melt a way out of the house
-and then wasted no more effort so the smoke-hole
-never worked right and nourishment was scarce.
-
-“When the bird had dropped a berry down every
-smoke-hole it flew back to little sister’s home and said:
-‘Now I must be on my way again. Who will come
-with me to visit heaven, where I go?’
-
-“Most of the children were eager to go so they
-climbed upon the bird’s back or clung to his wings
-and feet until he came to the clouds where heaven
-was hidden away from earth-dwellers’ sight.
-
-“Once in heaven, the blue jay flapped his wings
-and rolled the children off and told them he had to
-leave them for a short time to report what he had
-done on the earth.
-
-“Left alone, the children walked about enjoying
-the novel sights, until one of the boys saw a *djo’lgi*
-sniffing about. He threw a rock at the animal and
-stunned it, then he ran over and tore it to bits and
-scattered the fragments about, although the poor
-*djo’lgi* had not done anything to merit this cruelty.
-
-“The children now felt hungry and said they would
-go and seek for something to eat, as the blue jay had
-failed to return to help them find bread.
-
-“As they walked, they came to a house where a
-woman stood looking anxiously about as if in search
-for someone.
-
-“The children drew near and she said: ‘Have you
-seen my child playing about?’
-
-“And they answered: ‘We saw nothing but a
-*djo’lgi* and it we killed.’
-
-“‘Oh, oh! You bad children! You have killed my
-child!’ cried the woman. Then she suddenly caught
-the children and pushed them in through the open
-door and when they were all in she turned and said,
-‘Door, bolt yourself.’
-
-“Then the children trembled when they saw the
-door shut and bolt itself and they knew they were
-again in the power of black magic.
-
-“But little sister had had nothing to do with the
-killing of the *djo’lgi* and she now whispered to the
-brother who had held a firm root in the earth when
-red feather tried to tear the crab-apple tree from the
-ground: ‘I will make medicine and smear some on
-you. That will turn you into a cinder so that you
-can fly up the smoke-hole and get out. Then find
-Blue Jay. With the medicine I smear on your head
-you can bring the *djo’lgi* back to life and let Blue Jay
-bring it home to the old woman. When she finds her
-child alive and happy she will let us all go.’
-
-“The boy did as sister told him, and when he was
-outside the smoke-hole he flew about heaven until he
-found Blue Jay.
-
-“So medicine was rubbed on the *djo’lgi* and he
-was brought back to life and carried home. There,
-a loud rap on the door made the old woman cry:
-‘Who’s there?’
-
-“And the *djo’lgi* answered: ‘It is your *djo’lgi*,
-mother, let me come in.’
-
-“She ran and unbolted the door and was so happy
-to have her child back in her arms that she forgot to
-bolt the door again. Then the Blue Jay led the children
-forth and they all went to the big house on the
-Cliff where Blue Jay’s grandmother lived. Here a
-fine feast was spread for the visitors and after they
-had had all the juicy venison they could eat, Blue Jay
-said: ‘Come now, let us go to heaven.’
-
-“But the grandmother said: ‘How can all these
-children crawl through safely when the clouds open
-and shut?’
-
-“I’ll show them how and if they mind they will
-get in,’ replied the Blue Jay.
-
-“Then they said good-by to the grandmother and
-followed after Blue Jay to the place where they had
-to creep in under the clouds if they wished to see
-the great Bill-of-Heaven who was known everywhere
-as the Power-of-the-shining-clouds.
-
-“When they came to the edge of the blue sky where
-the clouds open and shut continually, Blue Jay dipped
-his feathers in the blue to make them brighter and
-meantime, some of the boys tried to run under the
-cloud and so get into heaven first. But the cloud came
-down and caught them, so they were turned into rain
-and poured down to help the earth blossom.
-
-“Then some of the other children tried to rush
-through, and of these two were caught under the edge
-of the cloud and were turned to thunder, and the
-others who only got a glimpse of heaven were turned
-to lightning from the brightness of the glory they
-saw.
-
-“Blue Jay came back after a time and was sorry
-to hear some of the children had not followed his
-advice but risked their happiness by being rude and
-disobedient. Then he turned to the remaining children
-and said: ‘I will watch for the time when you must
-rush in. I will call “Fly!” then all must fly back and
-forth along the edge of the cloud till a little rift of
-blue where a cloud lifts is seen. Dart through that
-but never try it unless you see the rift of blue.’
-
-“The little sister was told to follow with Blue Jay
-as he would see her through. Then cinder brother
-and a few of the others waited and watched, flying
-back and forth until they saw a rift break through a
-thick cloud, and quickly they rushed through and found
-the glory of the sun and lived happy in heaven ever
-after.”
-
-“How! How” cried the girls, some clapping their
-hands.
-
-Eleanor sat and looked scornfully at the girls applauding.
-Then she said, “If that isn’t the silliest
-nonsense ever! Besides, *I* think it is positively sacrilegious
-to talk in that way about heaven!”
-
-“Sacrilegious! Why should it be? It is the simple
-ancient beliefs of the Indians who had no Bible as
-we have, and handed down these legends from one
-generation to another to teach their children respect
-and obedience to the Great Spirit,” replied Zan.
-
-“You certainly can’t say that calling the Power
-above by the name of ‘Bill-of-Heaven’ is respect!
-I almost shivered when I heard Miss Miller use such
-blasphemy!” retorted Eleanor.
-
-“Why Eleanor, you are mistaken! The name is
-interpreted from the original language where the
-Indians never even heard the name of ‘Bill,’ so they
-could not use it in disrespect. In their tongue the
-term ‘Bill’ means an entirely different thing than in
-our English, so we must not condemn a thing because
-we are ignorant of its uses,” said the Guide, calmly.
-
-“Tell us the germ of truth you found in that allegory,
-Miss Miller,” begged Jane.
-
-“I told you before I began that you each must
-apply it for yourselves. I can sit down and find a
-suitable lesson in it for the short-comings of each one
-present,” laughed Miss Miller, rising to close the
-Council Meeting.
-
-As the Woodcrafters left the building, Zan called
-after them: “Remember to bring a finished product
-of your carpentry for the next Council!”
-
-.. ---File: 077.png
-
-CHAPTER FIVE—A PRIZE CHEST
-==========================
-
-The following week, every member of Wickeecheokee
-Band was busy after school, working
-hard on their carpentry. Some had decided to make
-wooden toys for the little ones, some preferred odd
-pieces of furniture, such as a foot-stool, a tabouret,
-a waste-paper-basket, etc. The older Woodcrafters
-were busy making more difficult things as they had
-had some practise in the handling of tools and wood.
-May Randall, not to be outdone by the older members,
-wanted to manufacture a Woodcraft Chest to
-hold the papers, beads, and other things she would
-collect in her Woodcraft work as time went on.
-
-“I never dreamed this work could be so tedious,”
-sighed Ethel Clifford, whittling away at a bit of wood
-that had to dove-tail into the other section. She was
-making a set of fire-boards.
-
-“One never realises how long a time hand-made
-articles take. That is why they always cost more than
-machine made objects,” added Anne Mason.
-
-“I hope my tilting stools will look like the picture
-given in the Manual,” now said Mildred Howell. “If
-they don’t work I shall give up in despair.”
-
-.. ---File: 078.png
-
-“I think they look great, Mil. Maybe you’ll get
-a *coup*,” remarked Zan, who looked up from the
-elaborate bead-loom she was decorating, having constructed
-the entire machine of wood.
-
-“I just adore that bead-loom you made, Zan,” now
-said May Randall, working industriously at the chest
-she was etching in pyrography.
-
-“I’ll tell you what, May! If the bead-loom you
-expect to make turns out half as fine as that chest,
-it will be better than mine,” praised Zan. “I never
-saw a girl handle tools as naturally and deftly as you
-do—for a greenhorn, too!”
-
-May laughed in a pleased tone for honest praise
-is sweet.
-
-“What is Eleanor Wilbur making, girls?” asked
-Hilda.
-
-“I don’t know—she hasn’t been with us yet, you
-know,” replied Anne Mason, evasively.
-
-“Is she doing anything else besides making
-trouble?” asked May Randall, in her blunt way.
-
-“I’ll thank you to mind your own business, Miss
-May Randall,” called a voice from the door.
-
-The girls flushed guiltily as they looked up and
-found Eleanor herself trembling with anger. She
-had stopped at Zan’s house to leave a borrowed book
-and the maid told her the girls were on the back-porch
-working. So she happened there unannounced.
-
-“Well, are you, Eleanor?” persisted May, defiantly.
-
-“I’ll tell you what’s troubling you, all right—you
-dog-in-the-manger, you! You’re afraid I’ll win out
-ahead of you in the test for membership, so you go
-to work in an underhanded way to prejudice the others
-against me,” declared Eleanor.
-
-“Hardly, Miss Wilbur, for Zan just told us that
-Ethel handed her a letter to be read at the weekly
-Council. She is to go to California next month to
-be gone all Winter so she has withdrawn her application
-till Spring,” snapped May, with satisfaction.
-
-“Then there are only five after all,” said Eleanor,
-a gleam of pleasure on her face.
-
-“There may be only four—if one of the new members
-keeps on the undesirable pathway she has trodden
-since applying for membership!” taunted May, who
-had a sharp tongue at times.
-
-“Pooh!” sounded from Eleanor and Jane banged
-her work down loudly upon the floor and said angrily:
-
-“For pity’s sake, forget it—you two! We never
-had a single scrap like this when we were at Camp!”
-
-“I’m not scrapping a bit,” defended Eleanor. “It
-is that hateful old thing over there. But as I am going
-now anyway, don’t bother to shut her up. I’m on my
-way to visit Miss Miller, so I will just mention the
-fact that Miss Randall is running the Tribe now, and
-she as old Guide can resign gracefully or be ousted
-by the new Guide!” sneered Eleanor, slamming the
-door as she left the porch.
-
-“Can’t we put her out, girls! I am getting to hate
-her,” cried May, spitefully.
-
-“You’re letting your anger get the best of you,
-May. It has already made you lose out in one test—same
-as Eleanor has. Besides, Eleanor may need
-Woodcraft more than any of us, because the work
-isn’t a matter of pastime as much as for improvement,”
-said Zan, who had had a private talk with
-the Guide and to her questions about ousting Eleanor,
-had been told some truths that made her think of Nita
-and the impatience the girls felt at her in Camp that
-Summer.
-
-“Girls, since Zan spoke of May’s Woodcraft box
-I have been thinking—why can’t we have contests in
-work and give a prize to the one having the best
-product to show with the others at the exhibit?” said
-Elena, trying to change their current of thought.
-
-“Let’s do it! The one to win this Saturday, to
-have a suitable prize awarded for the different points
-covered,” said Zan.
-
-“It will be for neatness, utility, beauty, and time
-taken in the making,” suggested Jane.
-
-“I wonder if Headquarters ever started contests
-with the Woodcrafters for certain requirements well-done?”
-wondered Nita.
-
-“Let’s have Miss Miller write to find out. Maybe
-we can give them a new idea,” commented Hilda.
-
-Silence followed for a few moments after that decision
-and Nita began humming a new Hawaiian
-air.
-
-“That reminds me, Nita, did you find any new
-folk songs that we might adapt for dancing?” asked
-Jane.
-
-“Oh, yes, I have a dandy! Want to see me do it
-while you take a little rest from work?” cried eager
-Nita.
-
-Nita never lost an opportunity to dance, and it was
-her greatest delight to show her friends any new steps
-or figures she had improvised for a Woodcraft Folk
-Song or Dance, which really is true dancing from
-over-flowing joy in the heart—but not the so-called
-wanton dances in vogue at the present time.
-
-The girls always enjoyed watching the graceful
-form as it bent low or whirled around in the Indian
-Acting Songs, so to-day they approved the suggestion
-to rest and be entertained by Nita.
-
-“I shall have to sing the words in French as Miss
-Miller and I haven’t translated them yet. The air is
-familiar to most of you and you must hum it with
-me. Now I will sing and slowly step the bars while
-you try to study the action and practise it at home,”
-announced Nita.
-
-.. image:: images/wood-086.jpg
- :align: center
-
-SUR LE PONT D’AVIGNON
-
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse;
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse en rond,
- | Les beaux messieurs font comm’ ga,
- | Et puis encor comm’ ga:
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse, danse
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon
- | Tout le mondey danse en rond.
- |
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse, danse;
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse en rond.
- | Les belles dames font comm’ ga,
- | Et puis encor comm’ ga:
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse, danse
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse en rond.
- |
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse, danse;
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse en rond,
- | Et les capucins font comm’ ga,
- | Et puis encor comm’ ga,
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse, danse
- | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
- | Tout le mondey danse en rond.
-
-----
-
-Thereupon Nita danced The Bridge song to
-the satisfaction of her audience. They applauded and
-encored until she laughingly consented to treat them
-to their favourite dances. Many of these were steps
-invented by Nita to improve upon the old folk dances.
-When the girl, breathless, finally sat down, the other
-girls complimented her to her heart’s content.
-
-“I wish we could learn that bridge song and dance
-it for Miss Miller as a surprise,” suggested Zan.
-
-“Let’s do it!” abetted Elena.
-
-“We ought to complete our carpentry work first,”
-ventured May.
-
-“We haven’t any extra class studies at home this
-week so we might carpenter in the afternoons and
-dance at night,” eagerly said Nita.
-
-“Why not come over to my house at eight and I
-will have the rugs and furniture moved out of the
-living-room. Anne and I will be all alone this evening
-as the others are going out,” added Frances
-Mason.
-
-“That’s fine! Who can meet at the Masons’ at eight
-to-night?” called Zan, looking about at the Woodcrafters.
-
-“We surely will—every one of us,” accepted Hilda.
-
-“Well, don’t waste our time making us wait for
-you. If someone can’t come let her telephone before
-meeting-time,” advised Anne Mason.
-
-“Hoh! Anne doesn’t know us yet! Catch a Woodcrafter
-being late when there’s any fun going!”
-laughed Jane.
-
-Every member was there before eight that night,
-Eleanor having been notified over the telephone. A
-merry evening was enjoyed with dancing and singing
-and most of the girls were sure the French Folk Song
-could be mastered for a private exhibition on Saturday
-if they had one more evening’s practise.
-
-“To-morrow is Thursday and some of us are booked
-to go to those Burton-Holmes Lectures, but we might
-all meet again on Friday night?” suggested Zan.
-
-“Some of us could meet to-morrow and practise,
-and then all meet Friday,” added Hilda.
-
-“Where do you want to meet Friday—come to my
-house,” invited Jane.
-
-As the Huberts had a large house with a splendid
-living-room, it offered excellent facilities for dancing,
-so the girls gladly accepted the invitation.
-
-Shortly after nine o’clock Friday night, while the
-Woodcrafters were cooling off and talking about their
-successful dancing lesson of the French song, Mrs.
-Hubert opened the door and peeped in.
-
-“When you finish dancing maybe you’ll come to
-the kitchen and help me make some fudge?” hinted
-she.
-
-“We’re all through!” cried Zan, jumping up and
-running for the door.
-
-“So we are when there’s fudge on the programme,”
-laughed Elena.
-
-But fudge was not the only candy made that night.
-As Saturday morning was a “lazy day” for school-girls,
-they could sleep an hour later than usual. So
-there was no haste to get home and to bed that
-night.
-
-“Mrs. Hubert, you always promised to give us the
-recipe for your fudge—it is so good!” exclaimed
-Elena.
-
-“Why, I’ll tell you right now, and you can watch
-me make it, too,” replied Mrs. Hubert.
-
-“Lena, write it down to enter in our Tally,” said
-Zan.
-
-As Mrs. Hubert itemised the ingredients for Elena
-to write down, she measured out the quantities for
-the candy.
-
-“One cup of granulated sugar, one cup of powdered
-sugar, one and a half cakes of Baker’s chocolate, a
-lump of butter about the size of a walnut, two-thirds
-of a cup of milk, and any flavour desired. I shall use
-vanilla to-night as most girls like that.
-
-“Now I boil the milk and sugar, stirring all the
-time from when it is first placed over the fire. When
-it fairly hardens so as to form a ball when dropped
-in cold water, I remove it from the stove and add
-the chocolate which must be shaved very fine, or even
-grated as it is to-night.
-
-“Next I add the vanilla, and the butter last. Quickly
-then, I beat it until it thickens but it must not sugar.
-Pour it in buttered tins and when it is partly hardened
-we can cut it into squares.
-
-“In case any of you do not have powdered sugar
-in the house you can use granulated but the powdered
-sugar makes it creamy and there is less danger of
-crystallising while beating.”
-
-The fudge was made and declared the finest ever
-tasted.
-
-“Oh, but you girls say that every time I treat you,”
-laughed Mrs. Hubert.
-
-“It’s true, and that shows how you improve in
-candy-making every time you cook it for us,” retorted
-Zan, quickly.
-
-“Which interpreted means: ‘Be sure and give us
-fudge every time we visit you,’” laughed Mrs.
-Hubert.
-
-“You’d hear no kick coming from the Woodcrafters,”
-added Jane.
-
-“Jane! There you go again with your slang! I
-thought Miss Miller was curing you girls of that
-pernicious habit,” said Mrs. Hubert.
-
-“We were cured, Mother, but you see our brothers
-were still ill with the despised complaint and we caught
-it again, didn’t we Zan?” said Jane, appealing to her
-competitor in slang.
-
-Zan’s mouth was too full of fudge to reply but she
-nodded her head vigorously to express her feelings
-about slang.
-
-“Dear, dear, such girls!” sighed Mrs. Hubert,
-taking a recipe book from the shelf and turning to
-a page of candies.
-
-“Girls, shall I show you how to make nougat?”
-asked she.
-
-Naturally they cried “yes” and Elena prepared to
-make another entry in the Tally.
-
-“Always blanch the almonds or other nuts to be
-used. I generally keep some on hand so we won’t
-have to take time for that work to-night. Now some
-of you girls skin these nuts and some of you can chop
-them very fine.
-
-“For the nougat, I melt some powdered sugar, using
-a dessert-spoonful of lemon juice to every pound of
-sugar. It takes double the weight of sugar in almonds.
-We have a pound of sugar, so I use two pounds of
-chopped nuts. They must be hot before dropping
-them into the sugar-syrup.
-
-“We ought to have regular nougat moulds like confectioners
-use, but not having them, I have to take
-the flat tin we use for ginger-bread. That is why
-I had you chop the nuts very fine—so that the nougat
-when it is spread in the tin, can be cut with a knife.
-
-“Into this buttered tin, I press the nougat with the
-lemon skin until it is all smoothed out flat. Then I
-quickly cut the bars so they can be broken apart when
-it is cold. If we had regular moulds we could use the
-nuts in much larger pieces.”
-
-.. ---File: 088.png
-
-“I always thought that nougat was a dreadfully
-hard candy to make, but it is as simple as rolling off
-a log,” declared Hilda.
-
-“I just love it, don’t you?” said Elena, sniffing the
-odour that rose from the pan of candy.
-
-“You love any kind of candy. Your mother says
-you have a ‘sweet tooth,’” laughed Nita.
-
-“I’ll show you how to make one other kind of candy
-and then it will be time for you to go home. It is ten
-o’clock now,” said Mrs. Hubert.
-
-“Put a cupful of powdered sugar in a bowl and
-add about a quarter of a teaspoonful of cream, or at
-least enough to stir the spoon about in the mixture
-easily. Be careful not to use too much cream, though,
-as that will make it run and not cream itself. Now
-add a teaspoonful of lemon or vanilla. We will use
-the latter for this cream. Next stir the mixture well
-until all lumps are worked smooth like a paste.
-
-“Here, Jane, stone these dates but do not break
-them asunder.
-
-“Now girls, as the dates are stoned, you take
-enough cream to fill the opening made by the stone.
-Then you stick the edges of the date together again
-and roll in powdered sugar. They are then placed
-on an oiled paper to keep from sticking while drying.”
-
-The creamed dates were soon made and tasted.
-Some of the Woodcrafters said they needed a much
-larger taste than a single date offered, and Mrs.
-Hubert laughed. While the girls were away from the
-kitchen to find their hats and coats, the hostess divided
-the candy left and gave each amateur confectioner a
-package to take home with her.
-
-Saturday with its weekly Council found each girl,
-except Eleanor, more than elated with the finished
-article of carpentry work to exhibit at the meeting.
-Of the entire collection the bead-loom, tabouret, and
-chest were considered the best.
-
-“I declare, girls, it is marvelous how neatly you
-have fitted the corners and finished the edges of the
-work. May’s chest is as pretty and well-made as any
-I have ever seen. The hinges and clasp are original
-and hand-made, too, I see. Did you originate the
-design alone, May?” said the Guide, after admiring
-the objects placed in a row on the table.
-
-“Yes, and the copper hinges and clasp are cut and
-hammered out of an old sauce-pan mother threw away
-a long time ago,” replied pleased May.
-
-“And does the key turn easily?” inquired Miss
-Miller, lifting the lid of the chest and examining the
-key-hole carefully.
-
-“I haven’t found a key to fit yet!” laughed May.
-
-Then the Guide’s attention was given to an investigation
-of the elaborate bead-loom made and decorated
-by Zan as her contribution to the contest.
-
-“Does it work, Zan?” queried Miss Miller.
-
-“Not unless it is supplied with motive-power!”
-
-“Then you must have tried it out with a bit of
-your tremendous energy,” retorted the Guide, smiling
-at the girl’s bright face.
-
-“Not only tried it but finished a strip of bead banding
-that takes the cake! I have decided to make
-enough trimming to decorate a new ceremonial costume
-that will turn every Woodcraft girl green with
-envy,” bragged Zan.
-
-“That is a boast indeed! Did you include the
-Tribes of other Woodcrafters in that challenge?”
-
-“Yep, everybody but Elizabeth Remington. She
-certainly has the loveliest beading I ever saw, but then
-she has had two years’ designing at the School of
-Art,” replied Zan.
-
-After many comparisons and due deliberation, it
-was decided to present May Randall with the prize
-for that contest. As May was a beginner and the
-chest was her first piece of work, it won a point above
-Zan’s loom, which also was a fine piece of work. Both
-of these objects were excellent bits of cabinet-work
-and so neatly finished and beautifully decorated that
-it was a draw. May flushed with happiness when she
-heard that Zan awarded the prize to her.
-
-“I think the plan of awarding prizes for best work
-is a good one but we should decide upon the prize
-before the contest is started each week. What have
-you for May to-day?” said Miss Miller.
-
-“Well, this week we were going to present the
-winner a solid gold loving cup but our Wampum
-Keeper reported a state of bankruptcy so we had to
-sacrifice our wishes to conform with the exchequer,”
-said Zan, solemnly, while the girls giggled.
-
-“I suggested that we take a picture of May, so I
-brought my camera. It can be pasted in the Tally
-Book and mentioned as the winner of the carpentry
-contest,” said Elena.
-
-“And I thought the film could be enlarged to a
-size that will correspond with our cash on hand, and
-present it to May,” added Hilda.
-
-“If we make a picture each week of the prize-winner
-and article made it will add greatly to the beauty and
-interest of the Tally,” ventured the Guide.
-
-“Come on, May, and pose over by the log scenery
-to have your picture taken,” called Elena, starting for
-the Council Ring.
-
-“Oh wait, Lena! Don’t let’s have an indoor picture.
-It will look so much better if posed out-doors,”
-cried Nita.
-
-“Let’s go over to the fence-corner next to our
-back yard where the group of pines will make a pretty
-back-ground,” suggested Frances Mason.
-
-“That’s fine! And we’ll stand May on some of
-our logs and have her look happy while holding her
-chest!” exclaimed Anne.
-
-“When folks see May holding her chest in the picture,
-they’ll think she had a bad cold,” came from
-Zan, quickly.
-
-Everyone laughed but Anne added: “Oh, you old
-tease, you know what I meant.”
-
-“All right, come on and show us what you
-meant!”
-
-“I wish to goodness we had a ceremonial costume
-here to dress May and do the picture up in a truly
-artistic manner,” sighed Elena.
-
-.. ---File: 092.png
-
-“Hilda and May are about the same size—why
-not run Hilda home to get hers?” suggested Jane.
-
-“It won’t take more’n ten minutes, Hilda, if you
-jump on a trolley!” added Nita, when Hilda frowned
-down the proposition.
-
-A honking from an automobile horn was heard
-just then, and Zan jumped up to run to the door,
-saying: “Sounds like your machine, Jenny!”
-
-“If it should be Jack, he could drive Hilda over
-for the dress,” replied Jane.
-
-Before Zan reached the door of the gymnasium,
-however, the tousled head of Fiji Baker appeared at
-the opening and he called out ingratiatingly: “Don’t
-stop the show for *me*; ‘let joy be unconfined’ as I
-just dropped in for a second to see Miss Miller. Jack
-is out front tying the bouquets we wish to throw at
-the famous dancer!”
-
-Nita laughed for she had confided in the boys and
-told them about the new dance scheduled for that
-Council Meeting.
-
-“Oh, Fiji, you came in answer to our prayers, I’m
-sure. We need someone to hustle Hilda over home
-for a most important package she forgot, and now
-Jack can fly while you talk with Miss Miller,” explained
-Zan, pushing Hilda towards the door as she
-spoke.
-
-“You’ll win a *coup* on this for ‘first aid,’” said
-Jane to Fiji.
-
-But Fiji paid no attention as he was deeply concerned
-over some secret he was whispering to the
-Guide. Meantime Hilda was urged to order Jack
-to drive as fast as he dared so she could be back with
-the costume before the sun went down.
-
-Before Fiji and Miss Miller had finished their engrossing
-conversation, Hilda returned and the girls
-adjourned to the scenic-screen-room to dress the prize-winner
-in a befitting costume.
-
-May was posed first in one attitude, then in another,
-till everyone had satisfied her artistic sense of the
-picture to be, and perhaps they would all have had
-another trial had not May sighed, and cried:
-
-“I’ll be so glad when you really click that trigger!
-This box grows heavier and heavier every minute.
-I’m sure it weighs a ton by this time.”
-
-Several snap-shots were taken and May placed the
-“ton” prize-winner on the ground and stretched her
-arms. Then the Woodcrafters filed back to the gymnasium,
-where Miss Miller explained the reason of
-Fiji’s visit.
-
-“Doctor Baker invites the Band to join the boys
-in a week-end camp near-by the city. Fiji said he
-and the other boys have been scouting about for some
-days trying to find just the right kind of a site where
-girls would be comfortable.” Miss Miller paused here
-to allow the announcement to sink in.
-
-“Huh! I guess Dad wants our Band to act as sort
-of a brake on those boys’ speed,” commented Zan,
-nevertheless pleased at the invitation.
-
-“Won’t it be fun?” cried Jane.
-
-“Where will it be, Miss Miller?” asked Nita.
-
-.. ---File: 094.png
-
-“Why, Fiji says they have found a wonderful
-place on the sea-side of Staten Island. ‘The woods
-almost meet the beach,’ he said.”
-
-“Oh, can’t we try that aqua-planing Elizabeth Remington
-told us of?” eagerly questioned Zan.
-
-“We haven’t any to try with,” replied Jane.
-
-“Fred Remington told Fiji the other day that it
-was the easiest thing to make. Just one, two, three!
-and it is done!” declared Zan, snapping her fingers
-with each count.
-
-“I have it! Let’s invite Elizabeth to join us in
-camp and then add, as an after-thought, how nice it
-would be if she brought her plane,” exclaimed Nita,
-showing that there were still some undestroyed self-motives
-in her character.
-
-“Even so, there wouldn’t be any motive-power
-unless Zan supplied some of her boundless energy,”
-laughed the Guide.
-
-“It won’t work in deep water, Miss Miller,” retorted
-Zan.
-
-“If Elizabeth is invited for the plane why not ask
-Fred and Billy for their launch?” now suggested
-Jane.
-
-“Sure enough! You tell Jack to, will you?”
-chorused some of the girls.
-
-After a lively Council Meeting, the Woodcrafters
-started eagerly homeward for they were anticipating
-the camp and wanted to hear what the boys had to
-say about the plane and launch.
-
-But it happened that Fiji and Jack had already
-thought of the launch and had invited Fred and his
-younger brother before the girls spoke of it. The
-plane was another matter and they agreed to see
-Elizabeth about joining them.
-
-The campers intended starting for the trip immediately
-after school on Friday afternoon. Three automobiles—the
-Bakers’, Huberts’, and Remingtons’—would
-carry them and their luggage to the place selected.
-Fred, Billy, and Bob Baker would go in the
-launch, while Fiji and Jack planned to paddle their
-canoe around the Island to the beach where the camp
-was to be.
-
-The canoe owned by the two boys was kept on the
-lake in Branch Brook Park when the boys were in
-the city, but during their vacations they usually took
-it with them. It now had to be transported across
-the city to the Passaic River. Here the boys arranged
-to meet the express-man and sail it from that point to
-Staten Island Sound, thence to the sea-beach-shore of
-the Island.
-
-Fred Remington planned to sail the launch along
-the same route but he would start later in the day.
-The canoemen would start in the morning if clear.
-The girls in the cars would leave directly after school
-in the afternoon, and all expected to meet about the
-same time on the woodland site chosen by the boys.
-
-The days preceding Friday afternoon were an
-anxious time for the Woodcrafters for they feared it
-might rain yet hoped that the weather would be
-glorious.
-
-.. ---File: 096.png
-
-The camera picture of May and the chest was developed
-and printed and proved to be a great success.
-It was named “The Prize-winner,” and the film was
-sent away to be enlarged. Meantime, the Woodcraft
-Chest had been left on Miss Miller’s table in the gymnasium
-as she wished to show it to the scholars who
-were becoming interested in Woodcraft.
-
-Tuesday afternoon, when she wished to lock the
-chest in her private closet, it was not to be found. She
-sought everywhere, asked the janitor, and telephoned
-the girls, but no one had seen or heard a thing about it.
-
-Miss Miller worried herself ill over the loss, not
-so much because of the value of the chest but because
-it proved there was a dishonest scholar in that school!
-May was heart-broken too, as it was her first accomplishment
-in Woodcraft and she was so proud of it,
-that she had invited all her friends to be sure and call
-to see it as soon as it was home in her possession.
-And now it might never be heard from again!
-
-.. ---File: 097.png
-
-CHAPTER SIX—THE LOST CAMPERS
-============================
-
-In spite of pessimistic prognostications about the
-weather, Friday came and it was a perfect
-Autumn day. Fiji Baker and Jack Hubert were up
-at day-break as their express-man carted the canoe
-from the Park that early so it would not interfere
-with his regular calls and cartage for the day.
-
-Fred and his crew started at noon in their launch,
-and at three o’clock the merry Woodcrafters stood
-about the gymnasium door waiting for the three automobiles
-which would have the luggage and other equipment
-packed in them before stopping for the girls.
-
-While waiting, Nita showed the girls a new Flower
-and Butterfly dance she had invented. It was most
-graceful and the girls applauded heartily. Miss Miller
-smiled as she said:
-
-“Nita, there is no use in trying to train you for
-aught else than a dancing flower in a wandering breeze,
-or a charming little humming-bird that lightly caresses
-every blossom in passing.”
-
-“Miss Miller should have a *coup* for spontaneous
-poetry,” laughed Nita, well-pleased at the Guide’s
-sincere praise.
-
-“Yes, the Tribe must hand it to its Guide for finding
-something religious or poetical in any prosaic thing
-she finds. Not that Nita is prosaic by any means, but
-there have been times when Miss Miller’s muse has
-been inspired with nothing more to base its flight upon
-than an ordinary dust-cloth or common potato!”
-laughed Zan.
-
-The sound of approaching automobiles caused poesy
-and dancing to end and soon the girls were gayly
-seated in the cars. Such chattering and laughter as
-sounded from the passengers as the machines sped
-swiftly cross-town and reached the ferry where they
-had to take the boat to reach Staten Island!
-
-“Miss Miller,” asked Anne Mason, as they waited
-for a ferry-boat to dock, “can we new members start
-to collect flowers and do some tree lessons, or birds
-and star knowing, to catch up with your five founders
-of the Band?”
-
-“Yes, you can, but why not leave those studies and
-do them at odd times when the older members have
-other things to do? We might all work together at
-this camp to find many interesting things to start new
-collections. For instance, the shells and other marine
-objects.”
-
-“I never thought of that,” replied Anne.
-
-“The new members are so anxious to have individual
-Tally Books, you see, Miss Miller,” explained
-Zan, “and they haven’t any pressed flowers or blue
-prints or other things to record as we have in ours.”
-
-“If only you would wait until we catch up with
-you,” sighed May Randall.
-
-.. ---File: 099.png
-
-“You can soon do that, girls, by using every spare
-moment when not otherwise engaged, to learn about
-the stars, find flowers and insects, and study trees and
-Nature in the Park. Then we can witness and sign
-your honour claims at a Council,” added the
-Guide.
-
-“You new girls haven’t made your Tallies yet,”
-said Hilda.
-
-“That is one of the things we want you to tell us
-about,” said Frances Mason.
-
-“I think I have enough pieces of tanned leather
-to give each girl a cover,” now offered Zan.
-
-“And we have enough thong and beads to bind the
-books and tie the pages,” added Elena.
-
-“Then the girls ought to buy the page paper and
-make their Tallies at once, so everything can be entered
-in proper order,” advised the Guide.
-
-“Miss Miller, maybe we can try for the degree of
-canoeman while we camp near the water,” ventured
-Jane.
-
-Miss Miller said nothing to this but smiled and
-shook her head. She wondered if the girls understood
-the experience necessary before winning a degree of
-that kind.
-
-Jim, the Bakers’ chauffeur, and Alfred, the Remingtons’
-chauffeur, had each been given concise directions
-how to find the camp-site. Bob had drawn a
-road-map for Jim, and Fred had sketched a rough
-plan of where to turn. So Jim led the three cars as
-they left the ferry.
-
-.. ---File: 100.png
-
-After travelling several miles, he consulted Bob’s
-map.
-
-“I don’t seem to quite get this clear! Master Bob’s
-got here ‘Good woodland road,’ but all I can find
-is this swamp and that wood-cutters’ trail on the far
-side!” said Jim.
-
-The other two cars came up, and Alfred said:
-“Can you make head or tail out of the map, Jim?”
-
-“I was jus’ sayin’ that Master Bob must have been
-dreamin’ about this ‘good woodland road,’” returned
-Jim.
-
-“Let’s take this road—it looks fine—and see if we
-come to a woodland road further on,” suggested Miss
-Miller.
-
-So the opposite direction was taken, hoping they
-might find the good road mentioned on the map.
-After riding for twenty minutes more, the chauffeurs
-suddenly found the sign-post marked on both
-maps.
-
-“Now ain’t that funny! It’s the post all right,
-but we never came by that woodland road!” declared
-Jim.
-
-“Let’s be thankful we found one land-mark they
-put down for us to follow!” grumbled Alfred, where-upon
-everyone laughed.
-
-In vain did they seek for other land-marks or objects
-to correspond to those marked on the maps. They
-found good roads but nothing to lead them to believe
-they were following directions. Finally, as they all
-halted for another conference, Alfred stood up and
-looked about. He scratched his head back of the ear
-as if in a quandary.
-
-“Let’s hear it, Alfred,” laughed Elizabeth.
-
-“Well, I was thinkin’! Your maw came this very
-road last Spring when she camped her Tribe on
-Decoration Day. Why not go this way and trust to
-luck to bring us to the boys’ camp?”
-
-“It would be all right for us but what about the
-boys?” asked Zan.
-
-“They have to pass by your site on their way
-up the shore and you can hail them,” suggested
-Jim.
-
-“It’s growing late, girls, and we have to pitch tents,
-get ready to cook supper, and lots of other work,”
-warned the Guide.
-
-“Then let’s follow Alfred’s advice and take a chance
-on finding the boys,” agreed Elizabeth.
-
-As they started again to cross the Island to find the
-camping place Mrs. Remington had used that Spring
-Elizabeth told them what a Paradise it was. Woods,
-beach, cliff for diving, spring of fine water, and
-everything a Woodcrafter could wish for.
-
-Finally Alfred turned in on the hard sandy beach
-and in a short time stopped by a small promontory
-of sand that ran out like a finger into the sea. On
-top of this cliff and as far back as one could see, were
-the woods, with a clearing in the foreground that
-Alfred said had been used for the tents when Mrs.
-Remington camped there.
-
-The Woodcrafters exclaimed in surprise at the place
-that seemed made to order for them, and Zan added:
-“Fiji’s discovery can’t be better than this!”
-
-The chauffeurs helped carry the outfits to the clearing
-on top of the cliff, and when all was done, Alfred
-said: “I ought to be goin’, Miss ’Lizabeth, ’cause
-your father comes in on that six o’clock train, you
-know, and it takes a full hour to get there from here!”
-
-“Oh, it can’t be five o’clock yet, Alfred,” cried
-Elizabeth, surprised.
-
-“It is five of five,” replied Miss Miller, consulting
-her watch.
-
-“Good gracious! Where are those boys?” cried
-Zan.
-
-“We surely must be at the wrong site, but we will
-remain where we are for to-night, anyway,” added
-Jane.
-
-“Jim, if Fiji ’phones home to ask where we are
-try and direct him how to find us, will you?” said Zan.
-
-Shortly after the automobiles left, Elizabeth spied
-a fleck of white out on the water, and with her experienced
-eye saw it bob up and down.
-
-“Zan, bring the glasses! I’m sure I see the white
-launch,” cried she, keeping her eye on the distant spot.
-
-“Where? I can’t see a thing but some white-caps,”
-said Zan, handing the glasses to Elizabeth.
-
-“That’s because you never spent your Summers on
-an Island off the Maine coast like I have,” laughed
-the girl, focussing the glasses.
-
-“It’s Fred and his crew, all right!” cried Elizabeth,
-passing the glasses to Zan.
-
-.. ---File: 103.png
-
-“Oh yes, I can see them now, but aren’t they going
-very slow for a motor launch?” called Zan.
-
-“Maybe something broke down and they can’t get
-in,” said Eleanor Wilbur, who had been more than
-pleasant and obliging all that week.
-
-“No, they are labouring against wind and tides,
-I guess,” remarked Elizabeth, who was busy with a
-long strip of linen which happened to be packed with
-the stores when Mrs. Remington made up the hamper.
-
-“What are you doing?” asked one of the girls.
-
-“I’m using this linen Mother sent for bandages
-if we had to use them, for a signal flag. I’ll stick it
-out on that dead pine tree on the cliff and Fred will
-surely see it.”
-
-“And we might build a smoke-fire,” suggested Zan.
-
-“Yes, do that. Then we can signal them that we
-are lost,” chuckled Jane, running to gather red pine
-bark.
-
-Finally, the steam whistle on the launch signalled
-that the boys had seen the smoke and flag, and later
-the launch beached where it made a good landing-place.
-
-The girls helped the sailors transport their luggage
-from the launch to the clearing on the cliff, and Zan
-remarked: “I see you brought the aqua-plane.”
-
-“Bet your life! Betsy would have sent us back
-for it had we forgotten to bring it,” laughed Fred,
-as he climbed the sandy side of the cliff.
-
-Once on top where he found the Guide and other
-girls making camp, he said: “Where are the other
-boys? Fishing?”
-
-“No, we never met each other as planned. I think
-they are camping at some other spot,” said Zan.
-
-“They’ll hunt us up quick enough when it’s time
-for supper. You see we brought the hampers,”
-laughed Jane.
-
-Fred looked serious, however. “We had a dreadful
-time rounding the Island where the sea sweeps in
-through the Narrows. It was all we could do to stem
-the current. Even as it was, we had to go way out
-of our road to avoid the swift tide.”
-
-“You don’t think anything could have happened
-to them, do you?” cried Zan, anxiously.
-
-“I shouldn’t wonder but what they have been over-turned,”
-now added Eleanor, with her pessimistic
-propensity.
-
-“Not that at all, girls, only they may have been
-swept so far out of their course that paddles couldn’t
-help them along very fast. Then they may have to
-camp wherever they are,” said Fred.
-
-“All the same, you know as well as I do, that lots
-of folks are drowned off this shore—’specially boys.
-You can read about a death that way every day!”
-persisted Eleanor.
-
-“Then they didn’t know how to swim like Fiji and
-Jack do. Why, they’re regular water-rats!” replied
-Fred, optimistically.
-
-“Swimming won’t help much if they have cramps!
-That sinks you like lead!” countered Eleanor again.
-
-.. ---File: 105.png
-
-Miss Miller heard the whole conversation and also
-saw Zan and Jane turn pale when they first thought
-of danger to their brothers. Until this time they
-thought it a great joke that they had found such a fine
-site and were camping with all the foodstuff.
-
-At Eleanor’s first exclamation the Guide had
-frowned, for her religion was one of practical common
-sense and cheerful optimism. She looked about
-for something to interest the girls and, at the same
-time, stop Eleanor from talking, so when she heard
-the last rejoinder to Fred’s attempts at encouraging
-Zan and Jane, she called to Eleanor:
-
-“Will you help me unpack these hampers, while the
-other girls gather fire-wood? Zan, suppose Jane and
-you keep the signal fires burning on that cliff’s edge.
-The boys will see the smoke if they are near here.”
-
-Eleanor walked slowly over to Miss Miller, frowning
-as she went. But the Guide failed to notice it
-as she was busy with the camp dishes and pans.
-
-“Will you put these bags of groceries over in the
-box that stands in my tent?” asked the Guide, holding
-up the paper bags.
-
-“Why must I play kitchen-mechanic while all the
-other girls are having a good time in the woods?”
-complained Eleanor.
-
-At the words and tone, the Guide looked up amazed.
-
-“Good gracious, I thought you would prefer to do
-this to stooping and collecting old wood,” said she,
-vexed at the girl.
-
-“You take particular pains to make me do the unpleasant
-things, I notice. Now, when I was trying
-to prepare Zan and Jane for the worst, you called me
-to get me away from them. Don’t I know?” sneered
-Eleanor, loftily.
-
-“Woodcrafters never prepare for the worst! It is
-our rule to always wait for the best and let the worst
-take care of itself!” declared Miss Miller, wondering
-what under the sun she was to do with this undesirable
-character.
-
-“Oh! you are so preachy! One never takes a turn
-but you have a lecture ready—generally on this Woodcraft!”
-cried Eleanor impatiently. “The other girls
-flatter you by calling it ‘poesy’ and artistic temperament,
-but I call ‘a spade a spade’!”
-
-“Do you?” queried Miss Miller, suddenly making
-up her mind what to do. “Then you won’t object
-if I ‘take the bull by the horns’—another old saying!”
-
-“You may take anything by his horns if you choose,
-it won’t concern me in the least!” said Eleanor, disdainfully,
-as well as significantly.
-
-“Then sit down right where you are!” ordered
-Miss Miller with a determined manner that made
-Eleanor glance at her in wonderment.
-
-“Sit down, I said!”
-
-“Why should I obey you?” questioned Eleanor,
-stubbornly.
-
-“Because I am in command of this camp and what
-I say goes without questioning. Either do as I bid
-you or take your bag and start for home at once!”
-
-.. ---File: 107.png
-
-“Wh—h—y! You couldn’t do that!” gasped
-Eleanor.
-
-“We can oust you from camp and send you away
-but it is up to you whether you return home or hang
-about the woods.”
-
-Eleanor had never camped before and it was a new
-experience she had looked forward to because of the
-joys claimed by the other Woodcrafters. But to
-wander in the woods alone in the dark was quite a
-foreign plan to the one she had anticipated. She was
-hungry, too, and being sent away at once meant going
-without supper. She glanced from the corners of her
-eyes to see just how far Miss Miller might carry out
-her threat, but the Guide was watching her with a
-stern expression.
-
-Eleanor, not knowing what to do at the moment,
-sat down to gain time. Miss Miller, who feared she
-might weaken in her sudden and unprecedented manner
-of severity, immediately spoke.
-
-“I have watched you most carefully for the past
-two weeks and I have seen things you never dreamed
-of! Now, I am going to have it out with you!”
-
-At this, Eleanor went white and trembled. She
-cowered as if she expected a blow, but she refused to
-look at the Guide.
-
-“You will remember a threat you made to May
-Randall the day you stopped to see how the girls were
-progressing with their work?” asked Miss Miller,
-referring to the lack of interest the girl displayed in
-carpentry and the unkind words she used to May.
-
-.. ---File: 108.png
-
-“Oh for goodness’ sake don’t say a word about
-that old chest! I wish to goodness I had never seen
-May Randall and her Woodcraft box!” cried Eleanor,
-as if driven to desperation.
-
-Miss Miller was as surprised now as the girl had
-been a few moments before, but she rallied much
-quicker than the guilty one. The truth flashed over
-her quick mind and she changed her query accordingly.
-
-“It is a pity that you ever gave in to temptation.
-You certainly can’t blame your covert acts on May
-or any other being. The evil we do is absolutely our
-own fault, for every man is a free agent to choose
-what he will do. Sometimes it is fear or cowardice
-that drives one to do an evil deed but it is the downright
-criminal that obeys an evil idea or plan, knowing
-he is doing a thing that condemns him to the world
-and in his own estimation, too.”
-
-“Well, what do you want to do about it? Did
-you call me over here to tell me what you thought of
-me? Why didn’t you do it before to-day, then I
-wouldn’t have come?” cried Eleanor, still defiantly.
-
-“I hadn’t the least idea of speaking to you about
-May’s chest until you brought it upon yourself. I
-was going to mention something entirely different
-until you compelled me to say what I did just now.”
-
-“And you kept this secret all to yourself this
-week?” cried Eleanor, looking at Miss Miller with
-a kindlier expression.
-
-“Eleanor,” said the Guide, catching at that tiny
-hope of softening the stubborn girl, “I do not think
-another member in the Band dreams that you had
-anything to do with the missing chest, and I do not
-think anyone but you and I suspects the truth.”
-
-“And you let me come with the Tribe knowing
-this about me?” Eleanor’s gaze dropped to the
-ground and she sat thinking.
-
-According to Miss Miller’s code, when one began
-to think earnestly over anything, or tried introspection
-of one’s self, it was a symptom of recovery, even
-though there might be a long siege of diseased conditions
-before perfect health was attained. So she remained
-silent waiting for Eleanor to think some
-more.
-
-“You’re either mighty fair to me or you’re keeping
-this thing quiet for fear others will hear of it and so
-belittle your influence with the girls,” finally declared
-Eleanor.
-
-“Don’t you think you are judging unfairly, after
-you just said ‘I was fair’? Why should I hesitate
-to make you resign from our Tribe for doing a dastardly
-trick with May’s box? No one but you and I
-would ever know the truth about it, and I’m sure you
-wouldn’t mention it to anyone, because you are heartily
-ashamed of the deed. If I was afraid of others’
-opinions about my Band of Girls, I would make you
-resign before any other tricks were perpetrated by
-you. But I *am* fair and I want to see you make good,
-now that you have this Woodcraft opportunity, hence
-I am talking to you instead of sending you away.”
-
-.. ---File: 110.png
-
-“Then, all I can say, is, that you’re all right!”
-declared Eleanor. But in another second she felt
-suspicious again.
-
-“I suppose, now that I’ve admitted the deed, you’ll
-have me up for a public reprimand. It goes with a
-teacher’s ideals of training!”
-
-The Guide could not but admire the girl’s quick
-mental powers and thought what a wonderful woman
-she would make if her character and mind were but
-trained properly instead of along the lines of this
-present example.
-
-“I thought we might arrange it this way, if I had
-your word of honour that you would work hard to
-destroy the ‘little foxes that destroy the vines’; you
-can replace the chest by leaving it at my home, or
-send it by messenger to the gymnasium Monday noon.
-I will put it in the closet and send a note to May saying
-that the box was found but the conditions for
-return were that no questions were to be asked. At
-the same time I expect you to volunteer the information,
-thus clearing the school children.”
-
-Eleanor sat glowering at the Guide for full three
-minutes as if to read her true reasons for this leniency,
-but Miss Miller understood enough of psychology to
-realise that this was the great crisis. In that interchange
-of heart-readings, Eleanor saw only truth and
-loving sympathy shine from the woman’s eyes, and
-Miss Miller saw the adamant of wilfulness break ever
-so little.
-
-The Guide knew that just so much love and forbearance
-as she really felt in her innermost heart for
-this misled girl, just so much could she influence and
-lift her at this crucial time. So she prayed, oh, so
-fervently, to the Great Spirit for help and light to
-do exactly the right thing. And that silent prayer
-must have been the glorified light that shone from her
-eyes for it led Eleanor to melt as she had never melted
-before. She leaned her head over on the grass and
-wept bitterly.
-
-Miss Miller rose and left the repentant girl alone,
-while she noisily busied herself with the pots and pans.
-She knew that not words or pity but silent calling
-upon Omnipotence for strength and faith would be
-the balm that would help and heal this weak reed
-swayed by evil’s suggestions.
-
-As the Guide washed some potatoes she said to herself
-in a low murmur: “Lead us not into temptation
-but deliver us from evil—for Thine is the
-Power!”
-
-Then: “Miss Miller,” sounded a weak little voice
-at her side, “shall I wipe the dishes with a clean
-towel?”
-
-“Yes, dear, I wish you would.”
-
-And that was all.
-
-“Guess what we found, Miss Miller?” called a
-chorus of voices, as the fire-gatherers returned with
-armfuls of dry wood.
-
-“Mushrooms?”
-
-“Wh—hy, who told you?” cried the girls, looking
-about for the messenger.
-
-.. ---File: 112.png
-
-“That little bird just flew by and whispered it in
-my ear,” laughed Miss Miller, pointing to a great
-sea-gull that hovered over their heads.
-
-Everyone laughed and Jane added: “Yes, mushrooms
-but not enough for all. If we only had a steak
-they would make a fine sauce.”
-
-“Oh gee! That reminds me I forgot my donation
-to the party!” cried Bob Baker, springing up from
-the grass where he had thrown himself, and running
-down to the launch.
-
-“Bob trawled all the way and caught some pretty
-good sized fish. I thought all decent sized fish were
-driven out of these waters by the traffic and pollution
-from sewers, but I was mistaken,” explained Fred,
-watching Bob run back with his catch.
-
-“Now we can use the mushrooms!” cried
-Zan.
-
-“Fred, why don’t you cook the fish the way
-father taught us on Sunset Island?” asked Elizabeth.
-
-“Just as Miss Miller says,” replied Fred, looking
-at the Guide.
-
-“Miss Miller says cook the whole supper if you
-like, then we can take a swim. You boys have had
-your dip, you know,” laughed she.
-
-“Now, how did you know that? We boys said
-we wouldn’t let you know it!” cried Bob.
-
-“Really, you are uncanny, Miss Miller,” added
-Fred.
-
-“Anyone could tell Bob had been in, from his damp
-curly pate, and Billy still has the brine sticking up
-about his scalp. If I should need any further evidence
-I might say that one of the younger boys put on Fred’s
-socks by mistake, or else he made a blunder when he
-mentioned his size to the clerk who sold them,” said
-the Guide, smiling.
-
-Everyone glanced at Billy’s feet, and lo! the socks
-were hanging loosely down over his shoes, several sizes
-too large for him, while Fred’s turned-up white
-trousers showed socks so tight that they stopped the
-circulation at the top, but the tops only reached to the
-place where his shoes ended.
-
-A peal of laughter rang out and echoed through the
-woods at the sight the three surprised boys made, and
-Zan said:
-
-“Just for that, you have to cook supper while we
-take a dip!”
-
-“We’re game. Not because we took a swim before
-we got here, but because you’ve got such an all-round
-fine clairvoyant!” laughed Fred, looking at Miss
-Miller with admiration.
-
-“Shall we wait supper for Fiji and Jack?” asked
-Bob.
-
-“They’ll be given something should they come
-straggling in late, but I firmly believe they went to
-their own camp-site and are now pitying us for not
-having found them,” said Miss Miller.
-
-“And you can leave it to Jack to have something
-to eat! He never takes a chance on going without
-a square meal!” added Jane.
-
-.. ---File: 114.png
-
-“We’ll keep the signal-fire going all night and when
-it is dark they can see it and get their bearings for us
-in the morning,” suggested Fred.
-
-So the girls ran to their tents to hurry into bathing
-suits and take a swim before the call came for supper.
-
-.. ---File: 115.png
-
-CHAPTER SEVEN—CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END
-==========================================
-
-“Come ahead, boys, clean the fish and get them
-ready for me to cook,” called Fred, starting
-to dig a hole in the ground about twice the size of
-the fish. This he thickly lined with large sized shore
-pebbles which had been well washed. On top of these
-stones he built a good fire until it thoroughly heated
-the stones to a white heat.
-
-Meantime Bob and Billy cleaned and washed the
-fish, then placed a thick strip of bacon inside each
-one. They salted, peppered, and floured the fish ready
-to cook.
-
-When the fire-pit was ready, Fred raked out the
-cinders and put a layer of clean grass on top of the
-red-hot stones. He laid out the fish on this and covered
-them with a layer of the grass, and on top of
-this he spread a thin layer of sand. Then he piled
-in the glowing cinders and kept the fire burning fiercely
-on top of Nature’s sauce-pan.
-
-The Guide returned from her bath while the fish
-were cooking and expressed deep interest in the new
-method of cooking she saw demonstrated before her.
-Fred explained how he built the oven and a note was
-made to enter the splendid idea in the Tribe’s Tally.
-
-.. ---File: 116.png
-
-“Are the fish most done?” asked Elizabeth, sniffing
-for an odour of the cooking.
-
-“Be ready about the same time the rest of the supper
-is,” replied Fred.
-
-“That’s a new kind of a pot-hanger, Miss Miller,”
-said Zan, pointing to the sapling Fred had rigged up.
-
-“I’ll tell you girls just how I made this fire-place,”
-offered he. “Large stones are so plentiful about
-here, so I took some flat ones and built the fire inside
-the narrow aperture made by laying the stones in two
-rows parallel to each other. The sauce-pans stand
-close over the fire and are quite firm on these flat
-stones, and the building does not take as long to complete
-as a log fire-place.
-
-“These two green logs were found by Billy, and
-you can see for yourselves that the angle they make
-as placed, provides a resting place for various sized
-pots—small to large—the large ones setting on the
-widest opening of the angle. The fire built between
-the logs is easily kept clean by raking out the dead ash
-from the widest opening.
-
-“Now this is a good form of pot-hanger where
-you want a kettle to hang directly over a fire. I found
-a good sapling that had a well-defined notch made by
-two branches. These I cut down to about three inches
-in length. The bottom of the sapling I trimmed to
-a point to drive into the ground the right distance I
-wanted.
-
-“Then I trimmed another forked sapling similar
-to the first but much longer. This I fitted into the
-crotch of the upright stick, with the forked end
-directly over the fire, and the opposite end held firmly
-to the ground by means of a stump or flat stone. You
-see, this forked device of the end over the fire keeps
-the handle of the pot from slipping off, and the long
-end held to the ground by a weight gives the kettle
-enough swing to resist any extra contents.
-
-“While you’re all here seeing me do it, let me tell
-you a fine stunt if the weather is bad and tents are
-damp, or cots cold and uncomfortable,” added Fred,
-as he concluded his talk on pot-hangers. “When you
-are through cooking dinner, you can take these red-hot
-fire-stones by means of a stout stick and a dishpan,
-and carry them to the tent. In a short time, the heat
-rising from the stones will dry the atmosphere. If
-the cots are damp and cold, place the pan of hot
-stones under the bed and they will soon dry and be
-warm as toast all night. If you want the temperature
-of the tent to keep warm all night, place a layer of
-moss or grass over the stones. The rock will retain
-its heat for hours after removing it from the fire.”
-
-“Well! If Fred Remington doesn’t know everything!”
-sighed Elena, admiringly.
-
-“I wish you were a member of our Tribe,” added
-Zan.
-
-“Who wouldn’t be an expert Woodcrafter with
-such a mother! Why, she was an enthusiastic worker
-in the plan long before a regular League started. Besides,
-we spend our Summers on the Island in Maine,
-and what we don’t know from camping at home we
-ferret out from the farmers and fishermen on the
-Coast. My uncles own the neighbouring islands to
-ours and they enjoy out-door life, too. So we all
-have a good time experimenting with new ideas and
-remembering the good ones for future use,” explained
-Fred, eagerly.
-
-“Fred knows so much about camping and cooking
-because he won a degree for Camp Cook. Besides,
-he and his Tribe go hiking and camping every Saturday
-and Fred has charge of the party. I am working
-for the degree this year, and I’m sure I shall win it,”
-said Elizabeth, who was cooking a concoction she
-wished to try out.
-
-“It behooves Wako Tribe to keep on friendly terms
-with you, Elizabeth,” remarked the Guide, smiling
-at Zan.
-
-“Oh, we found that out long ago, Miss Miller,”
-retorted the Chief.
-
-“What is that stuff you are fixing, Betsy? It
-smells awful good,” asked Hilda, sniffing at the steam
-that rose from the pot Elizabeth was using for her
-brew.
-
-“I call it ‘hastychowder’ and it is made this way,
-in case you girls want to try it sometime: To one
-can of corn, take four cups of potatoes cut into small
-dice, two ounces of salt pork, also cut fine, a small
-onion, and about four ounces of crackers. Fry the
-pork and onions brown and then add the corn and
-potatoes. Cover this with water and cook until the
-vegetables are soft. Then add the milk and some salt,
-and lastly the crackers. If the crackers are soaked
-in milk for a time before using, I think it makes the
-chowder better.”
-
-“Well, whatever you call it or cook it, it smells
-mighty good to me,” said Jane.
-
-“Girls, I wanted to have plain cooked rice with the
-fish, but how can I cook it when every pot and place
-is in use?” asked the Guide, looking at the array of
-pans and pots all holding food.
-
-“Ha! You’d make a poor tenderfoot if you were
-lost on the mountains with no outfit!” laughed Fred.
-
-“What would you do in that case?” asked the
-Guide.
-
-“Watch me! May I have a bit of this birch bark
-the girls brought back with them from the woods?”
-asked Fred.
-
-“Help yourself,” replied Zan.
-
-Fred quickly selected a strip of bark about ten
-inches wide. This he folded end to end to form a
-round tube. The edges were stitched with wire-grass.
-Then he sewed a bottom on one end and it represented
-a bark pail. Next he plastered clay on the outside
-seams, and rubbed some gum from a wild cherry tree
-on the seams of the inside, saying: “If we had time
-to let the clay dry I wouldn’t use the gum on the inside,
-but now I need to make it water-proof.”
-
-Then he filled this vessel with water and selected
-two red-hot stones of a smaller size than the others,
-and dropped them in the water. Instantly, the water
-began boiling and the rice, which Miss Miller had
-washed, was poured into the vessel and a cover placed
-over the top.
-
-“When our dinner is ready, the rice will be steamed,
-too,” said Fred, placing the bark vessel on a flat stone
-near the fire-place.
-
-“Well I never!” ejaculated some of the girls, while
-Elena hastily sketched the birch-bark holder and wrote
-down the rules for manufacturing it.
-
-“Now girls, lay the cloth and have the dishes ready
-for the chowder,” called Elizabeth, tasting the liquid
-from the tip of a spoon.
-
-“I wish those two boys were here to enjoy this
-scrumptious meal,” said Jane, sighing as she thought
-of their loss.
-
-The chowder was dished up and eaten with sounds
-of many smacks and “Ahs!” Then the fish were removed
-from the oven and as the aroma of the flaky
-and sweet meat reached the nostrils of the Woodcrafters,
-a chorus of “Um’s!” echoed about the camp-circle.
-
-Every morsel of that supper vanished like ice in the
-July sunshine and was declared the best ever tasted
-by the campers. The gray of evening crept over sky
-and sea and earth as the Woodcrafters sat about the
-dying embers of the camp-fire hoping for a call or
-signal from the two boys, which would warn them of
-their approach. But in spite of the torch Fred kept
-burning on the Cliff, nothing was heard or seen from
-the wanderers.
-
-Eleanor had been very quiet and meek since her
-confession to the Guide, but old ingrained habits are
-not thrown off in one moment of repentance. When
-Fred returned from the Cliff with the report that he
-saw no sign of a fire or signal, she remarked:
-
-“Well, you said the current was dreadfully strong
-just around the end of the Island. Maybe they
-couldn’t make it and are being carried out to sea in
-the canoe.”
-
-“Oh no, they’re all right,” assured Fred, glancing
-at Zan and Jane.
-
-“But they may have lost the paddles, or a dozen
-of any many things may have happened. Boys are
-always careless with an open boat,” persisted Eleanor.
-
-“Miss Miller, we’ll put an end to this dread by
-going to the nearest telephone station. If the boys
-think we’re lost they will ’phone home sometime before
-morning, and then they can tell them where we
-are. If they have already ’phoned we will find out
-and rest easier for the news,” said Fred, pulling Bob
-up from his lounge by the fire.
-
-“It’s too dark to see where we’re going,” grumbled
-Bob, who had enjoyed the chowder and fish overmuch.
-
-“Not when my lanterns are ready. Watch me,”
-said Fred, picking up the two empty tins left from
-the corn, and slitting a hole in the side of each. The
-lid-ends were bent back and a candle fitted in the
-openings, then the jagged ends were pressed back
-into the tallow. The one end of the can was cut out
-entirely and the opposite end which had been cut open
-to remove the corn was bent back on the small piece
-of tin uncut and used as a handle for the impromptu
-lanterns.
-
-Enough light reflected from the shiny tin of the
-inside cans to show the boys where to walk, and they
-started off on the hazard of finding a house or village
-where they could use a telephone.
-
-“Let’s study the stars while they are gone. Who
-can tell us a new story or find the old planets?” suggested
-Zan.
-
-So the time passed quickly until the campers heard
-a whoop from the woods and saw the flickering of
-the two lights as the boys approached the fire.
-
-“What did you find out?” cried Jane and Zan, as
-they jumped up from the grass to run and meet the
-messengers.
-
-“Good joke on Jack and Fiji! They just telephoned
-a few minutes before we did. They were
-wondering what had happened to you girls. They
-said that Bob knew well enough where to go as he
-saw the tree blazed as a sign for you,” said
-Fred.
-
-“So I did, but the day we came over to hunt up a
-site, we were in the auto and to-day I came by boat,
-so it looked very different. Besides, both places look
-alike as far as woods and beach and sandy cliff go,”
-responded Bob.
-
-“Did they say they would look us up to-night?”
-asked Zan.
-
-“They haven’t the slightest idea where to find us
-in the dark, so they will remain at the camp where
-they are and pick us up in the morning,” explained
-Fred.
-
-“Well, thank goodness, we know they are safe and
-sound, although I felt sure they were, right along,”
-sighed Jane.
-
-“Yes, indeed, two athletic boys like Fiji and Jack
-would be all right,” added Eleanor, really believing
-her own words—such is the changeableness of a dual
-nature.
-
-The tired Woodcrafters then retired and sighed as
-they stretched out weary bones on the cots or under
-the stars on soft pine beds.
-
-“Gee! This is the life!” chuckled Bob, as he
-bounced up and down on the springy spruce-tip
-bed.
-
-“Guess the midgets haven’t reached you yet!”
-grumbled Billy, as he slapped viciously at an unseen
-plague.
-
-Then Fred began slapping and whipping the air,
-and finally Bob felt the mosquitoes and midgets bite,
-until all three boys jumped up again and began building
-a smudge fire.
-
-“Oh boys! If you would only come over to our
-camp and help us build a smoke like yours! We can’t
-sleep a wink!” cried Zan.
-
-Fred and his helpers soon had a number of small
-smudge fires burning about the tents and the girls
-thanked them sincerely as they felt relief from the
-pesky insects that make camping a trial.
-
-The gay carolling of a few late birds woke the
-campers, and Miss Miller was soon out ready to start
-breakfast. The others all declared for a morning
-dip, and were soon splashing and playing in the surf.
-The boys preferred to go in later, however, and take
-the morning hour before breakfast to catch some
-fish.
-
-“Maybe we’ll get enough for breakfast and dinner,
-too!” said Bob.
-
-By the time the girls were dressed, the boys returned
-to land with three goodly sized fish and the
-news that they had spied a smoke rising from a campfire
-some two miles down the shore.
-
-“It’s Fiji and Jack—I wish we could surprise them
-at breakfast,” laughed Zan.
-
-“I have an idea!” ventured Bob. “Right after
-breakfast, let’s take as many as can get in the launch
-and start down the coast; the others can hike through
-the woods and meet us there. On the way back we
-will make the others ride home and the first batch
-walk.”
-
-“I’ll ride the aqua-plane,” offered Elizabeth.
-
-“Why don’t you let some of the other girls do
-that?” asked Fred.
-
-“They don’t know how.”
-
-“But it isn’t hard to learn. I can show them how
-to balance in a few trials. Do you want to try after
-breakfast, Zan?” returned Fred.
-
-“Oh, I’d love it!” cried Zan.
-
-So breakfast was quickly disposed of because the
-girls anticipated great sport with the plane. Billy was
-detailed to steer the launch while Fred showed the
-girls how to balance and guide the ropes to make the
-aqua-plane skim lightly over the waves.
-
-After many upsets and great shouting and excitement,
-the girls could manage the plane quite well.
-Then as the young engineer increased the speed of
-the launch and the plane fairly flew over the water,
-the riders felt as if they were aviators, the sense of
-the rest for their feet disappearing in the dizzy pace
-with which they sped over the surf.
-
-“I thought you folks wanted to hunt up the lost
-boys?” called Miss Miller, when she thought the girls
-had had enough of the drenching sport for that
-morning.
-
-“So we will, now that we can take turns on the
-plane as we go alongshore,” called back Zan.
-
-“We’ll have to draw lots for the pleasure—there
-are too many here to ride on the way down,” said
-Fred.
-
-The lot was chosen by having each girl draw a blade
-of grass from the Guide’s hand. The shortest piece
-would win. It fell to Elizabeth, and the other girls
-all said it was a reward for her sacrifice of enjoying
-the fun while the others were practising.
-
-The girls who were to hike were just ready to start
-out when a canoe shot around the point of the promontory
-and a voice bawled out:
-
-“Well, I must say! A lot of fine friends Jack
-and I have!”
-
-“I must say! You’re a nice host to lead a lot of
-
-.. ---File: 126.png
-
-“Don’t tell me you never knew that! Why, everyone
-knows that a clam swims in with the tide and burrows
-down in the wet sand to sleep. If you walk
-over its little mound it spurts water up like a geyser,”
-returned Zan.
-
-“Come on, girls, let’s make ’em spurt!” urged
-Billy, who was very fond of all sports, fishing included.
-
-The launch and aqua-plane were drawn up on the
-beach and soon sixteen busy clam-diggers were bending
-over, laughing, and calling to each other, at every
-clam discovered. It was great fun.
-
-After half an hour of this pastime, the Guide asked
-Zan and Hilda to go with her and build a fire and
-prepare the kettle for the chowder. But they had
-scarcely completed the laying of the fire-wood when
-Eleanor joined them.
-
-“Oh, my back aches so! I think clamming is dreadfully
-hard work. How you folks can find sport in
-everything you do is beyond me. Now I would much
-rather help fix the fire and let one of you two girls
-take my place clamming,” remarked Eleanor.
-
-“The fire’s all ready, and Miss Miller is going to
-start the chowder. But you can help collect more
-wood from that grove so we will have a pile on
-hand,” said Zan, with a frown.
-
-Eleanor ran away and Zan looked at the Guide,
-but her face expressed nothing that would encourage
-the girl to criticise the indolent member of the
-Band.
-
-.. figure:: images/wood-132.jpg
- :align: center
-
- A DIP IN THE “BRINY DEEP.”
-
-Eleanor was gone a long time without having
-brought in any wood when Hilda was asked to go in
-search of her.
-
-“Good gracious me! Not only does Eleanor make
-a burden of herself for the Band but now she needs
-a nurse to watch and keep her from mischief!” declared
-Hilda, impatiently.
-
-Hilda ran off and Zan stood watching her out of
-sight. Then she turned to the Guide: “Now what
-next?”
-
-“I have just been thinking that we might have
-potatoes with fish for lunch and save that chowder
-for supper when the visitors are here.”
-
-“Um—it’s very filling, I have heard,” commented
-Zan.
-
-Miss Miller laughed. “Yes, and it needs a long
-time for cooking well. Besides, we won’t need to
-waste any good time over an elaborate meal with that
-chowder to found on.”
-
-“Will there be fish enough to go round?” asked
-Zan.
-
-“Yes, Jack brought up several fine fish that Fiji
-and he caught at dawn this morning, so we ought to
-fare very well.”
-
-Hilda now came back with Eleanor strolling after
-her—Hilda carrying the heavy load of wood, and
-Eleanor whipping the heads from some late goldenrod
-with a switch.
-
-“I found her stretched out on some moss blinking
-up at the blue sky!” reported Hilda, disdainfully.
-
-.. ---File: 130.png
-
-“Why shouldn’t I rest after working so hard?
-Look at the wood I found,” retorted Eleanor.
-
-“Why didn’t you lug it into camp? There’s no
-credit due you for finding a few sticks if you don’t
-carry out the task to fulfilment,” scorned Zan.
-
-“Miss Miller, I’m sick of this business! I never
-was so hard worked in my life, and to think how
-everyone finds fault with me for not doing more,”
-said Eleanor, testily.
-
-“I wonder if any of you girls stopped to think that
-you could start a list for your fish *coups* by knowing
-and studying the fish caught here. Suppose you all
-begin with these three kinds,” suggested Miss Miller,
-wisely.
-
-“That’s so, we never thought of it,” cried Hilda.
-
-“Dear me, why didn’t we try to place those fish
-this morning? Did you know them, Miss Miller?”
-asked Zan.
-
-Eleanor was interested in the fish, too, and so another
-fatality for the new member was averted.
-
-“I knew the white fish we had this morning, and
-I see here is another. That other fish I believe to be
-a sea-trout but we will have to verify that by asking
-the boys. They will know.”
-
-“And that smaller one—if the boys know we will
-have three on the list already, won’t we?” said Zan,
-eagerly.
-
-“Of course the boys know—they seem to imbibe
-knowledge of this sort by instinct. Why, a boy never
-has to *learn* to swim, he just flops in the water and
-sails along like a frog, while we timid females try and
-try again before we can get the stroke,” declared Hilda.
-
-The clam-diggers came up with a large reward for
-their aching backs and sun-burn, and the plan of starting
-a list of fish was proposed by the Chief. Thereafter,
-more interest was shown in the three kinds of
-fish on exhibit than any of the girls could ever remember
-before.
-
-While the Woodcrafters sat eating luncheon, a
-peculiar whistle sounded from the woods back of them.
-
-“Sounds like a tramp signalling a pal to come and
-enjoy this lunch,” teased Bob.
-
-“You seem to forget that we girls won a *coup* for
-knowing our native birds this Summer. I know what
-kind of a bird that is, too. Anyone else here recognise
-it?” said Zan.
-
-“Don’t tell! Don’t—please. Let us new members
-try to place the sound and sight and begin on our
-bird *coups*\ ,” interrupted Anne Mason.
-
-“Come on, hurry up! We can wash dishes later,”
-added Frances.
-
-“You girls go, and I will remain here with the
-boys to clear away the dishes and follow after you
-later,” offered the Guide.
-
-So the Band ran away and shortly after Miss Miller
-and her helpers finished the chores and went into the
-woods also. About an hour was spent in interesting
-study and pursuit of Nature’s lore, when a sound
-coming from the direction of the camp reached the
-crowd.
-
-.. ---File: 132.png
-
-“That’s a kind of bird I know at once!” laughed
-Zan.
-
-“It sounds like the siren on your Dad’s machine,”
-ventured Jane.
-
-“It is. I guess the company have arrived and are
-waiting for a welcome,” added Fiji.
-
-At that, the Guide turned and the Band trailed after
-her to the camp-site where they found the doctor impolitely
-prying into the state of the larder, and two
-ladies with two children laughing at his remarks when
-he discovered the fragrant chowder.
-
-“Oh, there’s Edith and Baby!” cried Elizabeth,
-running to greet her mother and the children.
-
-Having saluted the Woodcrafters with great ceremony,
-the doctor said: “Some people have been busy
-this morning, judging from preparations for dinner.”
-
-“We just *had* to dig to provide enough for you—when
-we heard you had invited yourself to dinner
-with us,” retorted Zan, who always enjoyed a wordy
-combat with her father.
-
-“Well, I must confess, I brought my normal appetite
-with me, so it will be fortunate if the others
-have anything to eat,” replied Dr. Baker.
-
-“If you admit your appetite is normal now, what
-will it be after you have had a dip in the briny?”
-laughed Fiji.
-
-“To insure ourselves against emergencies I had
-Moses pack some of his unexcelled southern cake and
-pies,” answered Mrs. Remington, pointing to a huge
-hamper that had escaped notice.
-
-.. ---File: 133.png
-
-“Oh, we know Mose!” laughed Fred, running over
-to investigate.
-
-“Gee! Looka-here boys!” called Billy, as one
-goody after another was lifted up and displayed to
-the circle of gourmands.
-
-“Come, come, Bill! Leave them in the hamper so
-they won’t dry or be covered with ants,” advised his
-mother, going over to assist him in obedience.
-
-“Who’s ready for a sea-fight? In these days of
-deep-sea warfare we should have practise to be ready
-to swim after a U-boat, if necessary,” called the doctor,
-seeing the hamper once more left in order and
-safety.
-
-“Me for the briny!” called Bob, running to the
-boys’ tent.
-
-That morning, Fiji had discovered a deep pool
-directly under the sandy point of the promontory,
-and this offered an excellent spot for diving. While
-the more timid jumped about or swam nearer the
-beach, the older and more experienced of the party
-enjoyed the dives and deep water. Teddy and Edith
-found an impromptu pier made of drift-wood where
-the launch was anchored, and here they played store,
-having tin cans and shells for receptacles to hold sea-sand
-flour and sugar.
-
-Long before the merry bathers were ready to come
-out, the Guide and Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Remington
-went to the tents and dressed. Then they began
-preparations for the supper-party.
-
-The doctor always provided fun and laughter
-wherever he went, so the evening meal was a jolly
-affair that night. After the young folks declared they
-could laugh no more, Mrs. Baker said without a smile,
-“You all are most gullible.”
-
-“Why?” demanded a chorus of voices.
-
-“Why? Why to sit here and laugh while the
-doctor is making away with that chowder. I haven’t
-seen him pause a moment between spoonfuls while
-he had you all laughing too heartily to eat.”
-
-“Then he’ll want to stay all night!” complained
-Bob.
-
-Everyone laughed, for the tone said as plain as day:
-“I hope to goodness he won’t!”
-
-“That is all I’ve been waiting for—an invitation,”
-replied the doctor.
-
-“We can’t tuck you in anywhere. You’ll have to
-win a *coup* for sleeping out under the stars,” laughed
-Zan.
-
-“Don’t worry, friends! Doctor is only teasing.
-He has to be back in the city at nine to-night to meet
-a physician and consult over a case,” explained Mrs.
-Baker.
-
-“Then we’d better make the most of the time left
-us,” urged the doctor, jumping up ready for anything
-proposed.
-
-“Shall we dance?” asked Nita.
-
-“Oh, be considerate! Remember I enjoyed the
-chowder more than was reasonable and I am not in
-a mood to play Na-na Bo-jou!” warned the doctor.
-
-Everyone laughed again at that, for Na-na Bo-jou
-is one of the most active of all energetic dances performed
-by Woodcrafters.
-
-“Why not sit quietly about the fire and hear a
-story?” suggested Mrs. Baker.
-
-“Let Mrs. Remington tell it—she is a regular bookful
-of legends and Indian lore,” quickly added the
-Guide.
-
-The idea was heartily endorsed by the others and
-Mrs. Remington began:
-
-“How the Weasel Got His White Breast.
-
-“A long time ago, before there were any Indians,
-the world was inhabited by spirits. These spirits were
-the souls of all the animals and plants and things we
-see to-day. One of them was called Kanhlalas, the
-Weasel. He was little and brown and lived in a field.
-One day a strange thing happened to him. Listen,
-I will tell you about it.
-
-“Near the field where the Weasel had his home
-there was a mountain. On top of the mountain lived
-an old man called Waida Dikit, the Speckled Trout.
-He felt lonely up there, so he sent for Saroki Sakahl,
-the Green Snake. When Saroki came Waida Dikit
-took him to his wigwam and said:
-
-“‘My son, here is pipe and tobacco. Let us smoke
-awhile.’
-
-“Saroki sat down by the wall and smoked. He
-smoked so much that soon Waida Dikit could not see
-across the wigwam.
-
-“‘My son,’ said he, taking his own pipe from his
-mouth, ‘you are a strong smoker.’
-
-.. ---File: 136.png
-
-“Saroki did not answer. After a time Waida Dikit
-stuck his head from the wigwam and saw that the
-whole world was covered with the smoke from Saroki’s
-pipe. Waida Dikit was frightened. He felt about
-on the floor for his flute.
-
-“‘You have smoked enough,’ he said to Saroki.
-‘Here is a flute. Let me hear you play.’
-
-“Saroki took the flute and played for three days
-and three nights without stopping. By the end of
-the first day Waida Dikit could see through the smoke
-which was fast thinning, and he could see the other
-side of the wigwam.
-
-“By the end of the third day the smoke was all
-gone and the blue sky could be seen once more. Then
-Saroki stopped playing.
-
-“‘You are a good player,’ said Waida Dikit, ‘but
-I know a better one. He is Kanhlalas, the Weasel
-that lives down there in the field. I will send for
-him.’
-
-“In a little while Kanhlalas came, bringing his own
-flute. When he was comfortably seated in the middle
-of the wigwam, Waida Dikit said to him:
-‘Saroki Sakahl thinks he is a fine player. If you
-play he will know what a good player really
-is.’
-
-“Kanhlalas took his flute, swelled out his chest,
-and began playing. He played all day and all night
-without stopping. By morning he was so out of breath
-that there appeared a white stripe down the middle
-of his breast. He merely swelled out his chest a little
-more and went on playing. Waida Dikit and Saroki
-Sakahl became frightened.
-
-“‘Stop!’ cried both of them. ‘Something will
-happen. We know that you are the best player now.’
-
-“But Kanhlalas would not listen nor would he
-stop playing. He only played harder and harder. By
-the end of the third day his breath was entirely gone
-and he had to stop. But it was too late!
-
-“His whole breast was white as snow and from
-that day to this every weasel has had a white breast.”
-
-As Mrs. Remington concluded the story the campers
-signified their disapproval of such a short tale by demanding
-another, but Dr. Baker declared it was time
-they started for home.
-
-“But do wait and let us have one dance to pay
-Mrs. Remington for the story,” cried Nita, springing
-up ever ready to perform.
-
-“Girls, show our visitors the dance-song of ‘Summertime,’”
-suggested the Guide.
-
-The Band then performed the song to graceful steps
-and motions and the audience loudly applauded when
-it was finished.
-
-“Mother, why can’t I stay over-night with Elizabeth
-and the other, girls—Zan says they can find lots
-of room for a little girl like me,” pleaded Edith.
-
-“Yes, do allow the child to remain with us. It is
-only for one night, you know,” added Miss Miller.
-
-“Why, you seem to have so many already, that
-I would not like to add to the care,” responded Mrs.
-Remington, doubtfully.
-
-.. ---File: 138.png
-
-“I’ll be so good, mother, that it will be no care!”
-begged Edith.
-
-“And we will look after her, mother,” added
-Elizabeth.
-
-“I wanna stay, too!” now demanded the youthful
-Theodore Roosevelt Remington, aged four.
-
-“No, no, Baby, Mother needs you at home!”
-quickly said Edith.
-
-To the little girl’s delight, she was permitted to
-remain and the others started for home, leaving the
-weary hostesses to seek tents and cots where all were
-soon fast asleep, despite the mosquitoes.
-
-.. ---File: 139.png
-
-CHAPTER EIGHT—QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY
-===================================
-
-At breakfast the following morning, Miss Miller
-said: “This being Sunday, we must find a quiet
-form of enjoyment.”
-
-“That won’t deprive us of a swim, will it?” asked
-some of the anxious campers.
-
-“Why no, but I do not think we ought to shout or
-dance or do the noisy or boisterous things that are
-permissible on a week-day.”
-
-“Let’s discuss it later. I am having such a fine
-time with this breakfast at present,” said Zan, munching
-a mouthful of delicious camp-biscuit.
-
-“So say we all of us,” laughed Jane, eyeing the
-platter that was in Fiji’s hands. It held two fish-cakes
-and she was keen for one of them.
-
-“These fish-cakes made of the left-over fish of
-yesterday and that steamed brown rice, are the finest
-I ever tasted,” remarked Fiji.
-
-“Well, for pity’s sake take one and pass the other
-this way,” ordered Jane, losing patience as she saw
-Fiji compare the two to help himself to the larger
-one.
-
-“I wanted the one left,” ventured Jack, teasingly.
-
-.. ---File: 140.png
-
-“I’m the oldest, Jack, and so I have first choice!”
-
-Everyone laughed at the twins as they generally
-argued this point of the hour’s difference in age, when
-it was a question of one obeying the other.
-
-“You may be oldest but I am handsomest, and
-besides I have always been delicate. The doctor told
-Mom to give me more fish!” retorted Jack.
-
-“Hem—yes! They claim that fish is food for the
-brain, and goodness knows, you need something to
-develop that atrophied grey matter!” taunted Jane,
-reaching for the platter.
-
-“Children! As Chief of this Tribe I cannot have
-such talk, hence I will eat the fish-cake myself!” declared
-Zan, taking the platter Fiji passed, and helping
-herself to the last bit.
-
-Everyone laughed at the outcome of the argument,
-and Jane sighed while Jack smacked his lips as he
-watched the Chief make a great to-do over the final
-crumb of fish.
-
-“While we wash dishes and clear camp the boys
-can go and bring in fire-wood for this noon. Then
-we can have a story, if you like, until it is time to
-have a dip,” said the Guide, as they all got up from
-the grass.
-
-“No sooner said than done!” answered Fred, starting
-for the woods.
-
-When the chores were done, the campers gathered
-about the Guide who proposed that they go to the
-cliff and sit on the sand to hear the tale.
-
-“Who’s turn is it for a legend?” asked Elena,
-after they had found comfortable positions on the
-warm sand.
-
-“Doesn’t matter whose—we always vote for Miss
-Miller,” replied Hilda.
-
-A chorus of “How’s!” approved this suggestion
-and the Guide smiled.
-
-“Let me see! I think I will tell you a Tlingit
-Myth. It is called ‘The Wolf Chief’s Son.’
-
-“Famine visited a certain place in Alaska one time
-and many people died of starvation. But there was
-a young boy who always went to the forest with bow
-and arrow to hunt food for his family and friends
-and was never selfish about giving it to others.
-
-“One day, as he was hunting, he found a little
-animal that looked like a puppy dog. This he placed
-under his blanket and carried home. When he washed
-it carefully and took it to his mother to see, she knew
-it was a wild forest dog.
-
-“The boy then painted the dog’s face and feet with
-some red paint left him by an uncle and when he again
-went to the forest to hunt he took the dog with him.
-There the little animal ran about and brought his
-master grouse, birds, and other game, so the boy could
-carry home more food than ever before. And this
-was cooked in a basket-pot by his mother.
-
-“The next day, the boy again put red paint on
-the feet and nose of the dog, that he might trace the
-little fellow as he ran through the woods. That day
-the game caught by the dog kept all the boy’s friends
-from starving.
-
-.. ---File: 142.png
-
-“One day, after the boy had traced the red trail
-made by the dog a long way into the forest, he found
-the little animal had found and killed a mountain
-sheep. This was taken home and the fat part given
-to the dog as a reward. The rest of the sheep kept
-the boy’s kindred alive that week.
-
-“The next time the boy and his wild dog went
-hunting, they found a large flock of mountain sheep.
-The dog ran in and killed every one for his master.
-The best one was cut open and the dog was fed the
-tenderest part and the other sheep were enough to
-keep most of the villagers from starving.
-
-“Then the boy’s brother-in-law grew jealous of the
-many kind things the villagers said of the boy who
-hunted and brought in so much food. He went to
-the boy and said: ‘I wish to hunt and want to borrow,
-your dog.’
-
-“The boy did not like to loan to another the little
-wild forest companion he had become attached to,
-so he asked: ‘What do you want of my dog?’
-
-“‘It is doing great things for you and I too wish
-to find food without striving hard for it,’ replied the
-man.
-
-“The boy sighed but his sister implored him to
-do as her husband asked, so the boy brought his little
-dog and carefully painted his feet and face. Then
-he turned to his brother-in-law and said:
-
-“‘When he kills a sheep, be sure and feed him the
-best part. I always do that and the dog knows it.’
-
-“The man took the dog and they went to the mountain
-where a flock of sheep was grazing. The dog
-ran in and soon killed every one of them, but the
-hunter cut open an old ram and threw the entrails in
-the dog’s expectant face, saying, ‘Dogs eat the insides
-when a man needs the tidbits and outside flesh of an
-animal.’
-
-“The little dog stood motionless for a moment,
-then, instead of eating the entrails as ordered, ran
-straight up the mountain-side yelping and crying pitifully,
-for the gall smarted as it ran into his eyes.
-
-“The man laughed and carted home the sheep, but
-the boy looked about quickly and said: ‘Where is
-my little dog?’
-
-“‘Hoh, it ran away from me when I cut open the
-sheep.’
-
-“Then the boy ran to his sister and demanded that
-she tell him just what happened on the mountain-side.
-
-“She told the boy what her husband had done with
-the entrails and how the dog ran up the mountain-side
-yelping.
-
-“‘I wish I had not loaned my dog! I did not
-want to, but you coaxed me to it. This shows what
-folks do with borrowed property that they have not
-worked to make perfect. They use the good of it
-and throw away what is left. Now I demand that
-your husband show me the way the dog went,’ cried
-the boy, in great distress.
-
-“The sister told her husband he must show the boy
-the place where the dog ran away from him. Once
-on the mountain-side, the boy saw the red tracks made
-by his dog and these he followed until he came to a
-large lake.
-
-“Now the forest dog was really the Wolf Chief’s
-Son and because the boy had painted the dog’s face
-and feet with red paint a wolf has red on its feet and
-around its snout to this day.
-
-“Standing at the lake-side, the boy wondered how
-he could cross it to reach a town he saw on the opposite
-side of the water. As he wished he might get
-across, a curl of smoke rose from the ground at his
-feet.
-
-“He jumped back in time to see the square of
-earth where he had been standing open outward like
-a door on hinges. Then a woman’s voice quavered
-forth: ‘Come in, come in, my son.’
-
-“The boy entered and saw an old woman sitting
-by the roots of a forest tree, crooning over a pot of
-broth she was stirring.
-
-“‘I am your grandmother, boy, and I will help
-you. What do you here all alone?’
-
-“Then the boy told about his little dog and how
-he would like to find it again.
-
-“‘His people live on the other side of the lake.
-He is the Wolf Chief’s Son, grandchild—he is not
-a common dog,’ said the woman.
-
-“‘How can I get over there?’ asked the boy.
-
-“‘I have a little canoe—you may use that. Here
-it is,’ replied the grandame as she picked up a
-shrivelled leaf and handed it to the astonished boy.
-
-.. ---File: 145.png
-
-“‘How can I sit in this—it will not carry me?’
-said he.
-
-“‘When you reach the lake-side just shake it open
-and it will swell large in the water. Step in, stretch
-yourself out in the bottom of the canoe and wish yourself
-across. Do not paddle it. When you are on the
-other shore wish the canoe back to me and it will
-come.’
-
-“The boy did as directed and reached the opposite
-side of the lake, but instead of wishing the canoe back
-again he wished it a leaf and this he placed in his
-pocket for future use.
-
-“At the Wolf Chief’s village he found some boys
-playing tug-of-war with the ends of the rainbow. He
-stood watching for a moment but he came for his
-little dog so he inquired the way to the Wolf Chief’s
-wigwam. It was at the end of the village. Here he
-found the people sitting about an evening fire and the
-little dog was playing in front of Wolf Chief.
-
-“The boy watched and called joyfully to the dog,
-but the Wolf Chief growled forth: ‘A human is
-near us. Clear a way before him.’
-
-“At that the little dog ran up and sniffed the
-stranger. He knew him at once and caught his garments
-between his teeth and dragged the visitor over
-to his father, Wolf Chief. Here he barked out the
-story of the boy’s kindness to him when he was down
-in the valley.
-
-“Then the Wolf Chief welcomed the boy, saying:
-‘I sent my son to help you hunt when I heard how
-you were helping the people to keep from starving.
-Because you were grateful to your dog I will show
-you more kindness. My boy shall not go back with
-you, but this is what I will give you: This fish-hawk’s
-quill to hunt with. Whenever you meet a bear or
-sheep, hold the quill straight out and it will fly from
-your hand to lodge in the animal’s heart. Then remove
-the quill and clean it well to keep for another
-trial.’
-
-“The boy took the quill and thanked the Chief.
-
-“Then the Wolf Chief added: ‘I will also give
-you a great treasure as I see you are a grateful lad.’
-
-“He removed a blanket from a tripod and handed
-it to the boy. ‘Use this for sickness or death. If a
-friend is ill cover him with this blanket and he will
-immediately recover again.’
-
-“Again the boy thanked the Chief earnestly.
-
-“Then the Wolf Chief placed something in the
-boy’s mouth, saying: ‘Swallow this as you have a
-long journey before reaching your home again. This
-will keep you from being hungry or weary.’
-
-“Then the little dog and the boy wept over each
-other, for they had been fond companions, and the
-boy started homeward, being very careful of the quill
-and medicine blanket.
-
-“As the boy came down the mountain-side near the
-village he met a bear that stood in the trail and growled
-at him. He held the quill straight at the beast and it
-flew right into the bear’s heart. Then the boy took
-the quill and cleaned it well. Next he cut some bearsteaks
-for immediate use and covered over the remainder.
-
-“The boy reached his village from which he thought
-he had been absent only two days and nights, but he
-found he had been gone two years—so swiftly had
-the time passed while he had been at the Wolf Chief’s
-village by the lake-side.
-
-“As he entered the village he found it had been
-totally destroyed and everyone was dead. He felt
-dreadfully sad at this discovery but he remembered
-the medicine blanket, and this he placed over every
-member of his family and they immediately came to
-life. Then he placed it over everyone in the village
-and brought them all back to life—even the brother-in-law
-who had been so ungrateful.
-
-“When all were alive once more they needed food
-so the boy ran to the mountain and found a great
-flock of wild sheep. With the quill he soon killed
-them and ordered the people to carry them home.
-
-“The villagers were so astonished when they saw
-him kill wild beasts with a quill that they agreed to
-have him hunt for the entire village and promised to
-pay him with skins and weapons for the meat.
-
-“When the villagers were nourished they told the
-boy that while he was absent every tribe of people
-were killed by the famine and the plagues. The boy
-then decided to visit the nations and revive the people
-by means of the medicine blanket. This he did, but
-he only brought the good and beautiful back to life,
-leaving the cruel and vicious, and deformed ones,
-dead. And this he did for every creature on the
-earth. The bad and worthless were killed off with
-the quill but the good and faithful creatures were kept
-alive with the blanket. Thus it happened that the
-earth became a beautiful spot to live in, for all men
-were as brothers, and all creatures walked in the trails
-of man without fear or desire to kill. And to this
-day, the boy feeds his people and everyone is happy
-and at peace.”
-
-As the Guide finished her story the Woodcrafters
-cried “How! How!” but Fiji said: “I wish we had
-that blanket and quill at this present time!”
-
-“No such luck! It is war, war, war to the bitter
-end, I guess,” added Fred.
-
-“And starvation or famine and plagues for the
-world!” sighed Zan.
-
-“I’m not so sure but that the Hunter with the
-Medicine Blanket of Life is again on earth to revive
-all the good and true people to everlasting joy and
-peace,” ventured the Guide, quietly.
-
-“Why, just think, if Fred or Fiji were two years
-older they would have to go to France and be killed,”
-cried Zan, fervently. “Some day in the future maybe,
-Miss Miller, but no one can say there is joy or peace
-with all this misery brought about by war.”
-
-“No, my dear, not in the future—right now! I
-firmly believe that the world will awaken to realise this
-wonderful state of existence shortly. And if we believe
-any part of the Scriptures we *must* believe the
-prophecies of many writers of that Book. There is
-no room for doubt that this is the time that is spoken
-of as ‘The Day of the Lord.’ But let us consider
-other things now, even though Sunday is a good day
-to discuss the heavenly conditions that will prevail
-the moment the ‘dragon’ is over-powered. You see,
-I become so tremendously interested in this warfare
-of Michael and Gabriel, the Two Angels that war
-against the Dragon and the Beast, that I dare not
-pursue the subject further. You would oust me from
-the Tribe if I talked of nothing but the New Jerusalem.
-You are here to talk of Woodcraft instead,”
-said Miss Miller, springing up and looking brightly
-around for a new form of entertainment.
-
-“I wonder how many of you ever gave a thought
-to the Woodcraft work secrets contained in the sea?”
-said Miss Miller, gazing down from the plateau to
-the stretch of glistening beach where the tide was
-nearing its highest mark.
-
-“In the sea?” laughed Eleanor sceptically, as the
-others joined the Guide and looked where she did.
-
-“Yes, and wonderful secrets it holds for us, too.
-Come, and I will show you a few.”
-
-Miss Miller picked up a glass fruit jar which had
-held some preserves from home, and advising the
-others to find receptacles for the collection she would
-show them, started down the sand-bank.
-
-“First, I would suggest that each girl find five or
-ten smooth round sea pebbles as near a size as possible.
-These we will ask the boys to carry in their pockets
-for us. I will show you what wonderful jack-stones
-they make. In fact, the game originally was played
-with smooth stones. It was only in later years that
-the iron imitations were manufactured and placed
-upon the market.
-
-“Then let me tell you, that a collection of large
-oval light-coloured stones make the prettiest sort of
-a marker to line off a flower-bed or pathway. If they
-are well set in sand they will not roll or become muddy
-from the rain that falls upon the soil of the garden.
-The sand holds them in place and keeps them clean.
-
-“Another suggestion for Hand-craft for a Woodcrafter,
-is this: find a large flat oval stone washed
-smooth by the sea and upon one side you can paint
-a marine picture or, if you cannot paint, a conventional
-design can be used to decorate it. This makes
-a lovely paper-weight for a friend, or for your own
-desk.
-
-“For Edith and her little brother, we can hunt for
-pebbles that resemble fruits and vegetables. Then the
-Little Brownies can play store to their heart’s content.”
-
-“That will be fine, Miss Miller, and I’ll help the
-girls find what I need for a store,” declared Edith,
-accepting the suggestion for the deed.
-
-“Let’s hurry then, as Edith will want us to collect
-every pebble on the beach—I know her aspirations
-when a new game is mentioned,” laughed Elizabeth.
-
-“She isn’t ‘the only pebble on the beach’ for that
-weakness,” commented Fred, looking at his elder
-sister.
-
-.. ---File: 151.png
-
-“Chump Mark for Fred—he used slang!” cried
-Elizabeth.
-
-But Zan was busy watching the Guide fill her glass
-jar with certain pebbles, and the hint to bestow a
-Chump Mark was passed by.
-
-The jar filled, Miss Miller filled the remaining
-crevices with salt water, then screwed the lid on the
-jar.
-
-“Now, look at this—isn’t it pretty? Do you think
-a bottle of these beautifully coloured and veined sea
-pebbles will elicit an interest if sent to a sick friend
-or a bed-ridden child in a Home?” asked the Guide,
-holding the jar at arm’s length that all could see the
-varied hued pebbles which were enhanced by the salt
-water.
-
-“Aren’t they just lovely! But where under the
-sun did you ever hear of these things, Miss Miller?”
-cried Jane.
-
-“I wish we had baskets to hold a bushel of these
-pebbles and we could fill lots of wide-mouthed bottles
-from Dad’s office to present to his little patients at
-the Children’s Hospital,” said Zan.
-
-“We might fill the empty boxes we were going to
-burn up when we cleaned up camp,” suggested Hilda.
-
-“Boys, you run up to the camp and bring us the
-boxes while we collect the prettiest stones we can
-find,” said Zan, leading the way along the beach.
-
-The boys did as ordered and, the tide running out
-fast by this time, the girls soon found marvelously
-figured and coloured pebbles left on the sand.
-
-.. ---File: 152.png
-
-“Now that we are at this collecting work I may
-as well add the secrets of the shells. If you place
-various shapes and kinds of shells with the pebbles
-the bottle will look even prettier than if filled with
-stones alone,” suggested Miss Miller.
-
-“Elena, do you see these deep white scallop shells?
-They make splendid paint-cups for water-colours. I
-always use them in preference to china dishes,” said
-the Guide, turning to the artist.
-
-“Girls, let us gather as many as you think we will
-need this winter for our art-work!” exclaimed Zan,
-and thereupon, the girls busied themselves with the
-new diversion.
-
-“Here we are, Miss Miller, what shall we do with
-the boxes we were sent for?” called Fiji, sliding down
-the steep incline of the sand-dune.
-
-“Oh—let the boys find the pebbles and fill the boxes
-for us while we collect the shells,” cried Jane, looking
-at the Guide for approval.
-
-“Do you boys wish to do that?” asked she.
-
-“Cert. Anything you say. We haven’t a thing to
-do until church is over, you know,” laughed Jack.
-
-“Meaning this Sunday enjoyment? Well, it is a
-heap more fun than I would have believed possible,”
-declared Zan.
-
-“As long as the boys are doing that work I can
-show you girls some other secrets,” said Miss Miller,
-looking for deep large-sized clam shells cleansed as
-only the sea can wash a shell.
-
-“This kind of shell make the nicest kind of ramekins
-for baked fish, or tarts, and other small side-dishes.
-They also can be used for bone-dishes or small side-plates
-when camping.
-
-“Now see these yellow opalescent shells? Well,
-they make pretty salt and pepper dishes. Even for a
-city table, they are unique and artistic. I have often
-grouped three in some glue on a round wooden disk
-and decorated the wood with pyrography and then
-used the small sea-snail shells to glue under the three
-centre pieces. It looked too pretty for anything when
-completed and ready to send to a friend for a gift.
-
-“I also have made pin-cushions of two fitted scallop
-shells. The hollow is filled with saw-dust, and
-a strip of satin or velvet covering the slight aperture
-made by the opened shells is glued inside the shells.
-A ribbon sewed to the hinge of the shell is used to
-hang the cushion on the side of the dressing-table
-mirror.”
-
-“Oh dear me, Miss Miller, wait a minute till we
-get time to take it all in,” laughed Elena, eager to note
-everything the Guide said.
-
-“Girls, let’s collect the shells necessary for the
-things Miss Miller explains about, and then we can
-have her teach us how to make the things some day
-at the Gym,” suggested Zan.
-
-“That’s a good idea. Now, Miss Miller, what else
-do you know about shell secrets?” added Jane.
-
-“I have made beautiful portières of these golden
-paper shells. Most of them have a small hole in the
-end—see there? And some haven’t the tiny perforation—these
-I burn in with a red-hot hatpin so that
-each shell may be threaded on a strong length of
-Japanese cord. This cord is finer and stronger than
-any made in this country, and is used for bead-curtains
-and reed portières.
-
-“After threading a shell you must tie the cord once
-in and out the hole to keep the shell from slipping
-down and crowding the others that are threaded on
-the same cord.
-
-“I have also trimmed decorative scarfs with this
-kind of shell fringe, but fancy scarfs are not in vogue
-now as much as they used to be.
-
-“These two ideas will give you many other ideas
-where the shells can be used. I should think Elena
-could suggest some new ways.”
-
-“Oh, oh, *OH!* Listen to me!” shouted Nita,
-jumping up and down frantically, as she waved both
-arms about in her excitement.
-
-“Goodness sakes! I thought Nita stepped on a sea-serpent!”
-laughed the Guide, turning to hear the
-great news.
-
-“Won’t it be *perfectly grand* to have a costume
-covered with these sea-shells, and fringes of them
-hanging down from the skirt and sleeves, so they will
-rattle when I dance? I will invent a sea-dance to
-go with the costume. What about it, eh?” cried
-Nita.
-
-“Great! If we only had another day to stop here
-and collect the shells,” returned Jane.
-
-“Miss Miller, I bet anything, Nita could win an
-honour from Headquarters for an ideal dance and
-costume like that!” said Zan.
-
-“Girls, you go on and get whatever you want for
-shell-work and just leave that dress to me. I’ll dig
-and pick all day till it’s time to start for home, but
-I’ll have that shell dress or die!” promised Nita,
-eagerly.
-
-“We may as well help Nita with her work as we
-can use any left-over shells for our fancy work. I
-was only going to add, that work-boxes hinged with
-a strip of glued muslin on one edge of the lid and
-decorated with sea-shells glued on the outside, are
-very pretty gifts for friends.
-
-“I have also made lovely picture frames, and mirror
-frames of wood covered with different kinds of
-shells. In fact, there are endless ways of using these
-pretty little trifles cast up for us by the bountiful
-sea.”
-
-“While you talk, Miss Miller, we will collect, as
-the surf is leaving more and more shells on the sand
-as the tide recedes,” said Hilda, eagerly picking up
-everything she saw.
-
-“O-oh! but it makes your back ache terribly! Mine
-is simply broken in two and I can’t stoop another
-time!” declared Eleanor.
-
-“Oh be a sport, Ella! Don’t spoil everything by
-your whimperings,” said Zan, expressing disgust in
-her voice.
-
-“I just guess if you were as delicate as I am your
-bones would ache, too!” retorted Eleanor.
-
-.. ---File: 156.png
-
-“Thank goodness I’m no hypochondriac!” snapped
-Zan.
-
-Eleanor was not sure what that word meant, so she
-hesitated to publish her ignorance. She was quite
-sure, however, that it was Latin for some illness
-known only to a doctor or his immediate family. The
-fact that she could not reply made her more peevish,
-and she turned without another word and walked back
-to camp.
-
-“Well I never! If she isn’t the poorest kind of a
-Woodcrafter a Tribe ever had the bad luck to have
-hang on to its wings!” exclaimed Zan, watching the
-girl saunter away from her companions.
-
-The other girls tittered but the Guide said: “Oh
-she’s coming on fine, *I* think!”
-
-“Miss Miller!” gasped several voices.
-
-“You don’t believe me, do you? Wait and see!”
-rejoined the Guide.
-
-“Well, you always did have a gift for seeing
-‘swans where others only saw geese,’” said Zan,
-whimsically.
-
-The boys now were heard shouting and the girls
-turned to see them making signs. They said they
-were going to the camp and start dinner. The Guide
-signalled that it would be all right as far as she was
-concerned, so the girls kept on gathering shells until
-the call came for dinner.
-
-Before they reached the camp, however, they saw
-the boys standing on the end of the promontory gazing
-through the glasses out at the Sound. When they
-were near enough, they heard Fiji shout through a
-megaphone made with his hands:
-
-“Hurry up! Comp’ny!”
-
-“Land’s sake, who can it be?” cried Zan.
-
-Before they reached the cliff they could plainly see
-the white sails of a boat that was heading straight
-for the site.
-
-“If that isn’t Dad I’ll eat these shells!” cried
-Elizabeth.
-
-“Spare enough for that costume of Nita’s,” laughed
-Jane.
-
-“She won’t have to crack any teeth on that wager
-’cause it is Mr. Remington,” now said Zan, as the
-sail-boat tacked ever nearer to the crude pier off the
-point of land.
-
-To witness the reception accorded the visitor one
-would think Mr. Remington was the long lost Robinson
-Crusoe. But the moment dinner was over the
-boys began to tease for a sail in the boat.
-
-“We girls want to go, too,” declared Elizabeth.
-
-“The only way I can pay the debt of hospitality is
-to take you in installments. ‘Ladies and children’
-first,” laughed Mr. Remington.
-
-“All right, give the girls a little sail and then take
-us boys for a trip to catch fish for supper. We ought
-to get a fine mess with a boat like this,” suggested
-Fiji.
-
-“That’s only your excuse for a far longer sail than
-we can have,” pouted Jane.
-
-“Now it isn’t at all, Jenny! But there isn’t a crumb
-of anything but dessert for supper, you know,” said
-Jack, very ingratiatingly.
-
-“Miss Miller, I can testify to there being an abundance
-for another meal to-day, as I left a hamper of
-good things to eat at the temporary refrigerator you
-built near the camp-kitchen,” laughed Mr. Remington,
-motioning for the first installment of girls to get in
-the boat.
-
-The entire afternoon was given to sailing and watching
-the others sail, as turn and turn about was taken.
-Then supper-time came, and before this was over the
-automobiles sounded their horns as they came through
-the woodland road to take the campers back to the
-city.
-
-“Do you know, it seems as if we have been at camp
-for a month—so much has been crowded into these
-two days,” declared Zan.
-
-“Same here,” agreed the other Woodcrafters.
-
-.. ---File: 159.png
-
-CHAPTER NINE—A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP
-==================================
-
-Early Monday morning a messenger boy brought
-May Randall’s Woodcraft chest to the gymnasium
-and handed Miss Miller a note. The letter was
-type-written on plain paper so no clue was given to
-the sender or writer. Just a few lines saying how
-sorry the writer was that the disappearance of the box
-had caused the trouble it had.
-
-The note was not signed and many conjectures were
-made as to who could possibly have sent it, or where
-the chest could have been all this time. Even Eleanor
-seemed as anxious as any other girl to find out who
-sent the note or took the box away only to return it.
-
-To every query as to who the culprit might be, Miss
-Miller shook her head and maintained a strict silence.
-But she was greatly disappointed in Eleanor, for she
-had no idea the girl could act the part of a hypocrite
-as perfectly as she was doing in this case.
-
-That afternoon, when the other girls had gone to
-Zan’s house to work on the bead bands, Eleanor
-stopped in at the gymnasium to see Miss Miller.
-
-“Don’t you think I carried it out well?” said she,
-as she sat in the chair beside the Guide.
-
-.. ---File: 160.png
-
-“It all depends on what one considers ‘well,’” replied
-Miss Miller, earnestly.
-
-“I mean—I got away with the note and return of
-the box without anyone dreaming who it was,” explained
-Eleanor, evidently eager to have the teacher
-commend her sagacity.
-
-“I am sorry you have such a short-sighted view of
-right and wrong. The last deception you played is
-even worse than the first, for you were informed of
-your mistake and ought to make full amends. As you
-have left it now, every innocent boy or girl in school
-may be wrongly thought the thief!”
-
-Miss Miller purposely used the hard term “thief”
-to try and rouse the girl to a sense of her obligation.
-It seemed to bite in.
-
-“O-oh—Miss Miller!” gasped Eleanor. “No one
-can call a practical joke a theft! You are dreadfully
-strict and unfair.”
-
-“As I said before, there is only one thing left for
-you, in honour bound, to do. And that is to tell May
-all about the trick—as you name it—and let her tell
-the other girls if she likes,” replied Miss Miller.
-
-“I just guess not! I’m not so stuck on this silly
-old Band as to obey your fanatical advice. I’ll get
-out of Woodcraft first!” snipped Eleanor, as she got
-up and hurriedly left the room.
-
-The Guide, left alone, sighed and dropped her head
-upon her arms that were resting on the desk.
-
-“I am not so sure but someone else will do better
-in my place as Guide. The other girls are so good
-and lovable that I can work wonders with them, but
-it was not the lambs *in* the fold that our Saviour
-sought to save—they were perfectly safe already. It
-was the disobedient, wandering lamb on the mountain-steeps.
-And He saved it. This lamb seems beyond
-my call or power to reach.”
-
-Then suddenly came the brightening flash of Nita
-and the wonderful reformation worked in the girl
-when all seemed lost. And the temporarily discouraged
-Guide stood up and smiled.
-
-“I’ll do my part. And Father Spirit, lend me all
-aid!”
-
-During that week, plans were made for another
-camp to be enjoyed from Friday afternoon to Sunday
-evening. This time the girls decided to climb the
-Orange Mountains to seek an inland site. For this
-outing, the Guide had asked the girls to write up short
-essays or comments on various subjects that would be
-of interest to an out-door student.
-
-One request was for facts on forestry movements.
-Another required the girl to find something interesting
-about the fishing industry. Another mentioned
-items on agriculture, and still others spoke of news
-on manufactures, music, art, flowers, and Nature
-crafts.
-
-The work necessary to find the facts to these questions
-kept the girls well occupied during the evenings
-of that week, as they had to seek in the public library
-as well as in magazines, papers, and encyclopedias
-at home.
-
-.. ---File: 162.png
-
-After all the hard work and eager preparations,
-when all were ready to start that Friday afternoon,
-the Woodcrafters were doomed to deep disappointment.
-It began to drizzle shortly after school opened
-in the morning and the weather grew constantly worse
-until the rain was pouring by recess time. By noon
-the out-of-doors proved a veritable “wet blanket”
-on the spirits of the Woodcrafters and they gathered
-disconsolately in the gymnasium at three o’clock, wishing
-they lived in Egypt at the dry season of the year.
-
-Even as Hilda tried in vain to console the others
-that perhaps the rain would clear off before evening
-so they could start early Saturday morning, the telephone
-bell rang. Miss Miller took up the receiver
-and answered the call.
-
-“Yes, this is Miss Miller.
-
-“They are here now, bemoaning the Fates that
-sent the rain to spoil their week-end camp,” said the
-Guide, to someone’s query on the other end of the
-wire.
-
-The girls perked up their ears when they heard it
-related to their camp hopes.
-
-“Oh, oh! How splendid! How good of you to
-bother!” the Guide beamed delightedly into the receiver.
-
-“Will we care to come! Oh Mrs. Remington wait
-till I tell the girls so you can hear the Babel of sound
-that will crack the telephone instrument,” laughed Miss
-Miller, holding the instrument away from her face as
-she turned to address the Band.
-
-.. ---File: 163.png
-
-“Mrs. Remington fears it will rain all night and to-morrow,
-and knowing of your plans for a mountain
-camp, she is as sorry as we are about the weather.
-But she offers us the use of the Council House at
-Mossy Crest for the camp. It is the great barn turned
-into one large room and all laid out for Woodcraft
-Councils. When Mr. Remington built the new barn
-and garage, he had this one renovated. A splendid
-floor for dancing and games is laid on top of the other
-heavy oak floor and the side-walls are all covered with
-burlap and decorated—but wait till you see it for
-yourself.”
-
-The shout that rose in acceptance of the camp offer
-was distinctly heard by Mrs. Remington who laughed
-to herself. Miss Miller turned to accept the invitation
-when Zan cried:
-
-“Tell her it is a heavenly refuge from the storm!”
-
-The other girls laughed and Jane added: “Sort
-of ‘any harbour for a wreck!’”
-
-“Oh won’t we have a glorious time practising new
-steps. Besides, girls, I invented a sea-shell dance
-that’s perfectly adorable,” cried Nita, glad of the camp
-with a good dancing floor.
-
-“When can we start?” asked practical Hilda.
-
-“As soon as you like—I am waiting for the word,”
-replied the Guide.
-
-“We can’t walk—I’d better call up Jim on this
-’phone and see if he can come over,” said Zan.
-
-“And call up Mom too, Zan, and have her send
-over our machine. I guess we can all crowd in the
-two as there won’t be any tents or equipment to cart,”
-added Jane.
-
-After a short period of waiting that seemed to the
-impatient Woodcrafters like an age, the cars came to
-the school and the girls hurried out regardless of the
-pouring rain. At Mossy Crest the Remingtons, from
-the Lady of the Place down to little Teddy, stood in
-a row inside the great barn doors ready to welcome
-the visitors.
-
-“I’m tickled to pieces to have you girls spend the
-week-end with us,” called Elizabeth, the moment the
-two autos brought the visitors within hearing.
-
-“And I can show you girls a lot more in Woodcraft
-right here where I have my equipment than at a
-mountain camp,” added Mrs. Remington.
-
-So before four o’clock, the Band discovered the
-rain to be a blessing in disguise for they found the
-Council House everything that an enthusiastic Woodcrafter
-could want.
-
-“But the disguise is rather damp, just the same,”
-added Zan, when Jane mentioned the blessing.
-
-“Not indoors,” retorted Elizabeth. “We had Alfred
-help the boys bring the curtains and cots from
-the hay-loft where we store all camp outfits when not
-in use. That great trap-door opens on a pulley so we
-can hoist things up and down without much labour.
-Now come and see your bed-rooms for the visit.”
-
-The delighted girls trooped after their young
-hostess while she pointed out the manner in which
-Mrs. Remington had fitted up the House. Down one
-side of the large room, a row of 2 x 4 posts had been
-erected and upon these were firmly fastened the poles
-that held the white muslin curtains. The space thus
-divided from the main room was partitioned by similar
-curtains hung on shorter poles, making small
-rooms about 8 x 10 feet. In each room stood a single
-cot and a small wash-stand bureau with a tiny mirror
-over it. A simple canvas camp-chair completed the
-furnishing of each space in this dormitory.
-
-When there were no occupants for the rooms, the
-entire outfit was taken down and stored in the loft
-overhead. A wide cobble-stone chimney had been
-constructed in one corner of the building for beauty,
-comfort, and utility. It was equipped with a crane
-and pot-hanger so cooking could be done over the
-open fire on the hearth.
-
-“Isn’t this just scrumptious?” cried Nita, pivoting
-on her toes on the smooth floor.
-
-“I’ll test the cots and tell you if I agree with you,”
-laughed Jane, who dearly loved to sleep late in the
-morning.
-
-That supper was a jolly affair, for not only Elizabeth
-and the two younger children attended the camp-meal,
-bringing their share of the provender with them,
-but later on Mr. and Mrs. Remington, and lastly,
-Fred came in, carrying donations in exchange for an
-invitation to dine.
-
-“Mother ought to give the servants a night off!”
-laughed Fred.
-
-“All we need to have a regular Grand Council are
-the Baker and Hubert boys with us,” declared Mrs.
-Remington.
-
-“Never too late to repent!” said Fred; then other
-subjects crowded the idea out of thought of the other
-members but was remembered the next day when Fred
-showed results of the suggestion.
-
-Tin platters and cups, and aluminium cutlery, were
-always kept in the Council House, and these made
-a great rat-a-tat as the hungry Band cut or scooped
-and rattled on the plates.
-
-Supper over, Mr. Remington called Fred to roll out
-the Grand Circle furniture from the harness room
-which had been converted into a property room. Soon
-the huge logs decorated in true Woodcraft style, and
-a large grass rug woven by the Black Bear Tribe and
-presented to this Council House, were placed in the
-centre of the great space, and the girls of Wako Tribe
-with their guests, assembled for an enjoyable evening.
-
-“You have some artistic totems, Mrs. Remington,”
-said Elena, looking about at the unique and decorative
-emblems belonging to many Tribes started successfully
-by the lady.
-
-“Yes, and I am very proud of them. They stand
-for Tribes of girls and boys who are filling their niche
-in the Scheme of Things.”
-
-“My personal Totem painted and presented to Mrs.
-Remington’s Council House is largest and most practical
-of all—see who can pick it out from the others,”
-laughed Mr. Remington.
-
-“Now Fred, you know that isn’t fair to these girls.
-How would anyone know that your totem—so-called
-by you—is painted on the canvas walls? My dears,
-Mr. Remington is such an ardent disciple of Woodcraft
-that he needs must cover at least fifty feet of
-material with his totem,” said Mrs. Remington.
-
-It was not difficult after this direct lead to select
-the burlap wall-covering which was painted to imitate
-forest trees somewhat like Elena’s screen, as the totem
-mentioned by the host. This neutral back-ground
-furnished an excellent contrast for the gay blankets,
-rush mats, birch-bark articles, and other items that
-are made and decorated by Woodcrafters during their
-meetings.
-
-When all signs of supper had been cleared away
-(and “many hands make light work,” you know)
-the usual Council ceremony was performed. This
-over, Zan stood up and said:
-
-“Are there any suggestions for the evening’s entertainment?”
-
-“O Chief!” replied Miss Miller, standing, “I suggest
-that we read the essays prepared for this week-end.”
-
-“We-ell, I suppose we *might* unburden our souls
-of that much trouble,” remarked Zan, slowly, causing
-a laugh at her words.
-
-“Of course—I mean, O Chief! Of course, as it may
-clear off by morning and then we can be out-doors.
-We won’t care to sit hearing lectures or reading them
-to others when the calls of Nature entice us,” added
-Jane.
-
-.. ---File: 168.png
-
-“Ha! it seemeth that Jane groweth poetical!”
-teased Zan.
-
-“O Chief! Who wouldn’t feel that way with the
-music of the floods echoing on this tin roof?” retorted
-Jane.
-
-Another laugh at Zan’s expense put everyone in a
-merry mood, but Miss Miller meant business and not
-frivolity, so she asked the girls if the papers were all
-ready to read.
-
-Most of the members signified that the papers were
-on hand to read, so the Chief called upon Hilda, as she
-was the first one at her right.
-
-“My query was to find some interesting forestry
-news. I sought and finally found what I wanted in
-a weekly periodical called ‘The Sentinel’ and published
-at Boston. I learned that the forest fires of
-1916 caused a loss of more than $9,000,000.—six
-times as much as has been spent in forest protection
-work. And what is so lamentable is that these fires
-could all have been prevented—they were the results
-of rank carelessness.
-
-“In British Columbia, on account of the forest
-efficiency service, the number of fires last year were
-only half the number of those of the preceding
-year.
-
-“The tree seedlings and uncut timber are usually
-destroyed or greatly damaged by these forest fires. A
-most important part of forest work is to dispose of
-the lumbering slash which makes a very hot fire when
-once started. This slash must be collected and disposed
-of as soon as possible after the lumber operations
-are finished. Lumber companies are urged to
-cooperate with the forest service in the protection of
-our valuable timber tracts.
-
-“Last year, about 40,000 forest fires occurred in
-the United States and burned over 5,900,000 acres,
-causing irretrievable losses.
-
-“The forest products from Finland constitute 70%
-of its total exports, and the income from this branch
-of trade amounts to about $96,500,000. annually.
-
-“During 1916 the United States Forest Commission
-constructed 227 miles of new roads through national
-forests, 1975 miles of trails, 2225 miles of telephone
-lines, 89 miles of fire lines, 81 lookout towers, 40
-bridges, 222 miles of fencing, 545 dwellings, barns,
-and other structures, 17 corrals, and 202 water improvements.”
-
-As Hilda concluded and sat down, the audience
-expressed amazement at the gigantic losses to beautiful
-forest districts of this country, and Mr. Remington
-stood up to speak.
-
-“O Chief, I think this is the right time to warn
-every Woodcrafter present to be careful and impress
-upon friends to use the utmost care in helping the
-forest fire commissioners. We can do this by never
-leaving a spark of live fire from our camp-fires, by
-not throwing waste paper or other inflammable trash
-about that others may, through carelessness, set fire
-to, and not to *smoke* in a forest where dry leaves and
-tinder ignite very quickly.”
-
-.. ---File: 170.png
-
-“How! How!” approved the Woodcrafters as Mr.
-Remington sat down.
-
-“The next reader on my list is Nita,” announced
-Zan.
-
-“Miss Miller gave me a paper about fish. Why
-this should fall to my lot, goodness only knows. I
-hate fish for food, and simply can’t bear the smell of
-them. But I discovered some interesting facts about
-them, nevertheless.
-
-“First I found that Alaska shipped 4,916,000 cases
-of salmon to the United States trade and the value of
-this shipment was over $23,800,000.
-
-“Then I read that an attempt is being made to
-establish lobster beds on the Pacific Coast. Recently
-over 5400 crustaceans were shipped from Maine to
-Washington.
-
-“Also, salmon worth $250,000. at the great canneries
-of the Northwest States left Seattle, Washington,
-for the New York markets. There were fifty
-trains packed full of cases holding cans of salmon.
-
-“I learned that two great fish banks abounding in
-millions of sea bass have been discovered off Cape
-Fear bar on the North Carolina coast. One bank is
-more than three and a half miles wide and two and
-a half miles long.
-
-“The Bureau of Fisheries report over $6,000,000.
-worth of fish brought into New England ports during
-the year of 1916. The fishing fleets of Gloucester,
-Boston, and Portland total about 512 steamers and
-sailing vessels.
-
-.. ---File: 171.png
-
-“At Boston alone the 3039 trips made by its vessels
-land annually over 98,500,000 pounds of fish valued
-at $2,159,895. At Portland the catch weighed about
-20,800,000 pounds and was worth about $550,000.
-At Gloucester, the men caught about 66,500,000
-pounds in 2864 trips and it was valued at $2,150,000.
-
-“Besides our local fishing ports, the United States
-Bureau sent 450 black bass, 500 rock bass, 1000 catfish,
-and 800 sunfish to Gatun Lake in the Canal Zone.
-They wish to experiment with the fish breeding in
-these southern waters to supply the demand of people
-living in that zone. The lake covers an area of 164
-miles and offers an ideal place for fish, as it has many
-islands, shallow sandy shores, and deep and rocky
-banks, so that almost any fish-mother and house-keeper
-ought to be satisfied with conditions there.”
-
-As Nita finished reading, Mrs. Remington stood
-up and said: “O Chief! I think this plan of educational
-entertainment fine! Not only am I hearing
-news items of moment to every good citizen but you
-girls are being trained in composing essays worth
-while. I will, with permission of Wako Tribe, try
-this idea with my own girls.”
-
-“How!” responded the girls, and Miss Miller
-smiled with gratification at the compliment paid her
-girls and herself.
-
-“It’s Jane’s turn now,” said Zan, turning to the
-next reader.
-
-“You gave me a poser, Miss Miller, as I couldn’t
-say much about animal life that Woodcrafters did not
-know already. But I found that over $30,000,000 is
-invested in the black fox industry at Prince Edward
-Island, Canada. Insurance on these valuable animals
-runs as high as $1500 on a single skin. The fox
-farms are of recent origin and every successful scientific
-method is applied to the rearing and care of the
-foxes so that perfect and valuable furs will result.
-
-“In St. Louis, Mo., a sale of undressed furs opened
-recently and more than 1,599,000 skins were sold at
-a valuation of $2,000,000.
-
-“Then, I find that five big game reserves and sixty-seven
-bird reservations are maintained by the Biological
-Department of the United States Department
-of Agriculture. Among them are the Montana Bison
-Range, the Wind Game Preserves of South Dakota,
-the Elk Refuge in Wyoming, and the Niobrara
-Reservation which was intended for birds but has
-been stocked with buffalo and elk for the present.
-
-“In 1892 the United States Government used its
-influence to establish a reindeer breeding industry in
-Alaska. In that year a herd was imported from
-Siberia and for ten consecutive years an annual importation
-continued from that country. In that time
-1200 reindeer were brought to Alaska and now 70,000
-deer graze the plains and valleys from Nome to the
-Aleutian Islands. Natives own about 46,000 of these
-deer; and in the public schools and other classes the
-Indians are taught to judge deer, to train them for
-sledge-work, and to care for and breed them successfully.”
-
-.. ---File: 173.png
-
-“This is most interesting. Had anyone asked me
-offhand, if Alaska used reindeer for practical use
-I would have answered ‘No, of course not, you have
-to go to Greenland and Siberia for them,’” said Fred
-Remington.
-
-“Elena, your turn next,” said Zan, as Fred sat
-down.
-
-“I was given the paper about play-grounds or
-parks,” explained Elena, opening her paper to read.
-“In Spain, all exceptionally picturesque or historical
-regions, forests, lands, or buildings, that the state may
-select, will be used for national parks. The natural
-beauty of the land, the fauna and flora, as well as the
-geological and water features of these parks, will be
-protected and provide suitable places of interest for
-everyone. The reigning king, finding that many natural
-fauna were disappearing from Spain, began this movement
-which will prove to be a good precedent for
-other countries to follow before it is too late.
-
-“In our United States, over 1,500,000 people use
-the National Playgrounds each year, provided by the
-Government for the public. The present policy of
-the American Forestry Association is to secure such
-disposition of public lands as will afford a maximum
-benefit and joy to the people.
-
-“National Parks in Hawaii are a recent improvement.
-They cover 75,000 acres and include the crater
-areas and natural wonders of the three great Hawaiian
-volcanoes, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Haleakala. The
-latter, less familiarly known than the other two, has
-a crater 2000 feet deep and offers the greatest volcanic
-spectacle this side of the moon.”
-
-As Elena finished reading Zan turned and asked
-Anne Mason to read her paper.
-
-“I was given the subject ‘New and Interesting
-Manufactures Pertaining to Forest Products.’ And
-most interesting it proved to be.
-
-“The manufacture of fuel alcohol from pine sawdust
-is a new industry in connection with the sawmills
-in Texas and Louisiana. At Fullerton, La., a plant
-costing more than $750,000. is turning out more than
-5,000 gallons of fuel alcohol a day.
-
-“Also, more than twenty thousand tons of wood-flour
-valued at $300,000. are annually used in the
-United States for the manufacture of dynamite and
-for inlaid linoleum. It is also used for making composition
-flooring, oat-meal wall paper, and other
-things. In the past, the great sawmills of the United
-States used half of this waste for fuel in their furnaces
-and the other half was burned as refuse and discard.
-Now, however, the huge waste product has found
-a way to be practically used instead of being
-burned.
-
-“In the manufacture of linoleum the wood-flour is
-mixed with a cementing material, spread out on burlap,
-and rolled to form an even thickness. The cement is
-the item that makes linoleum so expensive. Cork
-linoleum is cheaper as it uses less cement. Wood-flour
-linoleum is light-coloured while cork linoleum is always
-a dark brown and is slightly more elastic than
-that of wood-flour, but the wearing qualities are about
-the same.
-
-“Wood-pulp can be made from many kinds of wood
-heretofore unused for this purpose. Samples of more
-than seventy kinds of paper made from wood-pulp
-have proven to be satisfactory. The cost of spruce-wood-pulp
-has increased in recent years with the
-scarcity of spruce, but now news-paper stock can be
-kept at the same price as in former years if the paper
-made from other woods proves to be acceptable to
-the printer. The tests showed that eleven new woods
-could be used for manufacturing manila paper and
-cardboards. But these woods are mostly grown in
-the West while the large plants for manufacturing
-products from wood-pulp are in the East. Some
-change of location must take place to deduct the cost
-of transportation of the raw wood to the mills, as
-this will prove to be a most important item in the
-cost to the consumer.
-
-“There are over 30,000 sawmills in this country
-and the Forest Service is compiling a report as to
-the manufactures of each mill: the wood mostly used,
-the number of laths and shingles made, and the quantity
-of lumber turned out annually.
-
-“That’s all I could collect in the short time allotted,”
-said Anne, sitting down.
-
-“It is more than I dreamed anyone could find to
-prove so interesting. I like this stunt—don’t you
-girls?” commented Zan.
-
-“How! How!” came the answer.
-
-.. ---File: 176.png
-
-“Now May, what did you find for us?” said the
-Chief.
-
-“I sought for items of interest about our waterways.
-I found that one of the greatest reservoirs and
-water regulating projects in New York State is the
-construction of two dams, one at Conklingville on the
-Sacandaga River, and the other at Tumblehead Falls
-on the Schroon River in the Adirondacks. The plan
-is to control the flow of the upper Hudson River so
-that the plants using water power shall have a steadier
-flow all Summer. The reservoir at Conklingville will
-be about 30 miles long and 5 miles wide. In the
-Schroon River it will be about 15 miles long and
-about 2 miles wide.
-
-“In the Pend Oreille River, about 25 miles north
-of Spokane, Washington, a dam 375 feet higher than
-the bed of the river is constructed. It has an extreme
-length of 250 feet at the crest and will be 25 feet
-higher than the Arrow Rock Dam which was the
-highest in the world. The only site where this dam
-could be built was in a cañon where the river runs
-100 feet deep at low water and over 150 feet deep
-in flood-times.”
-
-May sat down and Mildred was called upon to read.
-
-“I wasn’t quite sure of what I was supposed to do,
-so I collected a few short notes—but I can do better
-next time, Miss—O Chief!” explained Mildred.
-
-.. figure:: images/wood-180.jpg
- :align: center
-
- A RACE, WHILE “WAKO” SAT ON THE FENCE.
-
-“I had ‘crops’ so I found that peanuts are the chief
-agricultural wealth of Madras, India. In 1916 there
-were over 1,700,000 acres planted and the yield of
-peanuts was estimated at about 600,000 tons. This
-last year the peanut crops from every country where
-they are grown are said to be double the harvest of
-any previous year.”
-
-“Ha! That’s good news, for I love the plebeian
-nut!” laughed Zan, as Mildred sat down.
-
-“Who’s next to read?” continued the Chief,
-glancing at her list.
-
-“I wrote up a paper about fruit, O Chief!” said
-Frances, now standing.
-
-“Good! Let’s hear it.”
-
-“The strawberry crops of 1916 were worth over
-$20,000,000 to the growers. This was considered a
-record breaker but the crops of 1917 exceeded those
-of the previous year about a third.
-
-“The total fruit crops of this country amount to
-about $250,000,000 value annually and the 1917
-products are said to be the heaviest yield for many
-years past. The census for canning and drying fruits
-and vegetables was taken from 3199 establishments
-in 1914 and the products were valued at $158,000,000.
-If such an enormous sum was invested in this work
-in 1914 we may well consider the tremendous wealth
-of the products of 1917, with such wonderful yield
-of crops and with everyone eager to preserve the
-bounty of fruit and vegetables given us by Nature.
-
-“One of Portugal’s exports is dried figs. Since
-the markets of Germany and Russia have been closed
-by the war, the largest trade held by the Portuguese
-is suspended. The only good market still open for
-these figs is the United States. Last year Portugal
-shipped over 10,500,000 pounds, valued at $400,000,
-to this country.
-
-“The cocoanut industry promises to become one
-of Panama’s main sources of trade. Cocoanut trees
-ought to be planted about 70 to the acre and when
-these mature, as they do in about five years’ time,
-they bring forth about 100 cocoanuts to a tree every
-year. They bear fruit actively for more than twenty
-years, thus proving a good investment to the planter.”
-
-This reading was applauded by the audience and
-then Zan asked if Eleanor had complied with the
-request to write up some item.
-
-“I have one but it really is not worth reading as
-my slip of paper asked for an article not half so interesting
-as the other girls had,” replied Eleanor, with
-an unpleasant manner.
-
-“In June, 1916, school children in all sections of
-Cincinnati, Ohio, were started on little gardens where
-flowers and vegetables, or small fruits were raised.
-The plan finally launched the window-gardens which
-have made such a great improvement in the appearance
-of the city streets. The beauty of the floral boxes
-so impressed the city authorities that they agreed to
-offer seeds free to any citizen who would plant and
-care for the flowers. This idea is now spreading to
-other large cities and people are encouraged to have
-flower boxes in their windows. When will our eastern
-cities take a forward step like this?”
-
-As Eleanor sat down, Mrs. Remington said: “I
-wish our League would take up this movement for
-New York and adjoining large cities. An organization
-can do much more than a few individuals.”
-
-“My dear, make a note of this and let us suggest
-it at the next National Council,” added Mr. Remington.
-
-“O Chief!” said Elizabeth, standing, “I am not
-a member of your Band but I can add a mite to the
-general reports. I can say that Japan exports to the
-United States every year over $1,500,000. worth of
-Battenburg and Renaissance work—doilies, covers,
-and scarfs. Thousands of Japanese girls do this work
-at home during their spare hours.”
-
-“How!” cried the girls as their visitor finished
-her report.
-
-“Have we anyone else to contribute?” asked the
-Chief.
-
-Fred then stood up and cleared his throat—a habit
-he had when he felt the least bit embarrassed.
-
-“I might add that Instructors from the Agricultural
-College of the United States gave the Indians
-new insight into modern farming methods.
-
-“The first course for Indian Farmers in Wisconsin
-was held at Kashena, on the Menominee Reservation,
-and was attended by scores of Tribes-men.”
-
-“O Chief, I can tell you something, too,” cried
-Billy, as his big brother sat down. “A treaty between
-Great Britain and the United States for the protection
-of insectivorous birds on both sides of the Canadian
-border was negotiated in 1916.”
-
-.. ---File: 182.png
-
-“Who hasn’t read a paper?” asked Zan, looking
-around.
-
-“You haven’t!” retorted Jane.
-
-“I know, but I am reserving mine for the last as it
-is so superlative I knew the rest of you would feel
-too discouraged after hearing mine to read what you
-had written, so that the meeting would lose many
-reports,” explained Zan, mysteriously.
-
-“Then I make a motion that the Chief be asked to
-make that boast good!” cried Elizabeth.
-
-Amid laughter, the motion was loudly seconded and
-carried, and Zan waited for the uproar to quiet down
-before she said:
-
-“You won’t feel so jubilant when you hear the
-lesson I have ready for you who persist in a great
-waste of physical energy. My article was culled from
-the pages of ‘The Guide to Nature’ which is a good
-magazine for Woodcrafters published by the Agassiz
-Association. They found this article in one of our
-leading magazines and considered it interesting
-enough to reprint.”
-
-Then Zan read a paper she had written in her own
-amusing style, the main points of which she had read
-in the periodical mentioned.
-
-“In June, 1916, an unusual but tremendously significant
-fiftieth anniversary of the chewing gum was
-ushered in—but not with laurels or pæans of praise
-did this gummy little product celebrate. In fact, very
-few of its enthusiastic masticators knew a thing of
-this birthday, until it was mentioned in the papers.
-
-.. ---File: 183.png
-
-“Just think of it! Fifty years of chewing on something
-that never satisfies but always attracts more and
-more—like a nightmare where money lies scattered
-everywhere but vanishes when an eager hand tries
-to grasp it.
-
-“We have had all kinds of trouble with Mexico
-in recent times, but never, no matter what we do or
-what they do, can the public of the United States ever
-properly reward Mexico for introducing the greatest
-boon known to base-ball fans, movie fanatics, and
-commuters—to say nothing of the miscellany and
-Woodcraft folks!
-
-“It was on a certain occasion when General Santa
-Anna of Mexico was calling on a friend at Snug
-Harbour, Staten Island, that Thomas Adams also called
-upon the same friend. While the three talked the
-General took a chunk of something resembling a solid
-bit of over-shoe from his pocket and cut off a small
-piece. He placed it in his mouth and began chewing.
-Then he offered some to his companions.
-
-“Mr. Adams looked it over dubiously and said:
-‘Will you please tell me where you found it?’
-
-“Then the General explained that it was the gum
-of the zapote tree, better known as ‘chicle.’ Mr.
-Adams was a brave man, so he experimented. As
-he chewed he evolved a brilliant idea and he asked
-the General for a goodly sized piece of the gum. He
-took it home to see if it could not be vulcanized for
-a patented rubber to be used as a basis of artificial
-teeth.
-
-.. ---File: 184.png
-
-“But the tests proved hopeless for false teeth, as
-the chicle was too conscientious to lend itself to any
-falsity, knowing well that it was meant for a far
-greater blessing than to hold porcelain molars in place.
-It felt in its soul that it could entertain a great and
-mighty nation in its elasticity *between* the jaws but
-never to become a part of a jaw.
-
-“So in a huff, the chemist who was experimenting
-for Mr. Adams got up and snapped out: ‘The stuff
-isn’t worth a darn for anything but just chewing!’
-
-“Now Mr. Adams was a right clever Yankee so he
-suddenly felt inspired to try out this curse on the
-gullible American public, for he felt much as Barnum
-did, when he made his speech which will go down
-in history.
-
-“So he and his son raised a capital of thirty-five
-dollars and began the manufacture of the greatest
-sorrow-quencher, intensest joy-maker, most fascinating
-jaw-acher, and effervescing hunger-stabiliser
-the world ever knew.
-
-“In those pioneer days of chicle, there was no
-flavouring to lend enchantment to the gum, and it
-was chewing for the sake of chewing. However, once
-the children found out what a source of annoyance
-this chewing gum proved to be to teachers, guardians,
-and parents, its success was assured, for let the juvenile
-American public decide favourably upon a thing and
-other verdicts can condemn in vain. Later, when all
-protests were futile, the elders had to take to chewing
-in sheer self-defence.
-
-.. ---File: 185.png
-
-“To such vast proportions has this habit grown
-that at the present day the energy used in chewing
-gum is sufficient to propel a ferry-boat from New
-York Harbour to Hong Kong, China. In electrical
-terms a current powerful enough to lift 43,305,505
-tons 34,000 miles per minutes per second per kilowatt
-hour.
-
-“But to offset these stupendous figures in this loss
-of jaw-power one must stop to think of the good
-chicle has brought to the American public.
-
-“It has been the means of having all cars and other
-transportation service hang signs in conspicuous places
-warning the passengers to conform to the City Health
-Laws—hence the floors of public places have been
-neater and cleaner than ever before.
-
-“It has been the means of furnishing suitable slot-machines
-at every corner, in every popular store, and
-at every post in railway stations of every description.
-These boxes must needs attract the people for the
-gum, so they were equipped with mirror fronts to enable
-the ever-neat but not gaudy passengers to see that
-their hats were on straight, that tips of noses were
-properly powdered, that neckties were tied in the latest
-knot, or that Kaiser moustaches were twisted up at
-the correct angle—free from any thoughts of vanity,
-of course. While viewing these important details of
-toilettes folks naturally read the signs assuring them
-of the life-giving, harmony-creating, beauty-producing
-chicle.
-
-“Now friends, the answer is: Drop one cent in
-the slot, take the minute package that shoots out into
-the pan, start chewing on the fragrant chicle, and sit
-in a subway car opposite other masticating engines,
-and you will see other hapless passengers run from
-the car at the next station and secure a similar package
-to that your cent brought forth. Such is the power
-of suggestion on a subway. The vaccination always
-takes!”
-
-As Zan read, the audience had tittered, but when
-she concluded and sat down the younger contingent
-laughed outright and “How’ed!” Then Miss Miller
-stood up.
-
-“O Chief, I am not sure whether that essay deserves
-a *coup* or a Chump Mark.”
-
-Mr. Remington then jumped up. “It sounded as
-if our esteemed Chief was hired by the chicle company
-as a salesman or demonstrator of their products!”
-
-“O Chief!” added Mrs. Remington. “I vote that
-the writer be awarded an honour as it is interesting
-and instructive to learn how great and universal has
-the pernicious habit of gum-chewing grown in this
-thoughtless age. Perhaps a few more notices like this
-will rouse the people to consider the final results of
-indulging in weakening and disgusting habits like continual
-chewing.”
-
-“I’ll consider the last speaker’s sensible remark,”
-said Mr. Remington, rising from the log seat. “But
-I need to retire to weigh the case impartially.”
-
-“You’re not going away, are you?” cried Billy,
-as his father walked from the circle.
-
-.. ---File: 187.png
-
-“It’s long past bed-time and Baby is nodding,”
-explained Mrs. Remington.
-
-The Guide looked at her wrist watch and then exclaimed:
-“Goodness me! It is past eleven o’clock’.”
-
-“The parting song and then we say good-night,”
-said Zan, and the Woodcrafters all stood to join in
-the Indian hymn.
-
-The next morning found the indoor campers as
-eager for fun as youngsters ever are, and seeing that
-the weather was still threatening rain but was not
-actually fulfilling its threat, made the Band declare
-for some out-door sport without delay.
-
-While the breakfast dishes were being washed and
-the room put in order, voices were heard on the way
-from the garage. In a few minutes, the Baker boys,
-and Jack, with the Remington boys, peeped in at the
-double doors.
-
-“Hello there! Fred Remington invited us over
-for a hike. Didn’t think you girls would be here, as
-you were sure of going to Orange Mountain,” said
-Fiji.
-
-“Pooh, I know *you*, Fiji Baker! You never thought
-of a hike until you heard from Dad that *we* were here.
-I bet anything you called up Fred Remington first and
-asked him to invite you over!” declared Zan, nodding
-wisely.
-
-“Well, I don’t know that it matters much who is
-right—but it remains a fact that now we’re here we
-may as well entertain you girls,” said Jack Hubert.
-
-Instantly every girl was up in arms and what might
-have transpired is not known, for the ever watchful
-Guide comprehended, and said joyfully:
-
-“Oh how fine! Then you boys will show us how
-to play ‘Hunt the Deer’ or ‘Bear Hunting.’”
-
-“I’ll run to the house for the bear and spears.
-Meantime, you can warm up by having some races,”
-said Fred Remington.
-
-Fred whispered to Fiji and ran away, and immediately
-afterward the boys led the way to the back-road
-that ran to the pasture. Here they had running
-races, jumping and throwing contests, and many other
-tests between the girls and boys, until Fred returned
-with a noticeably new burlap bear, and wooden spears.
-
-The rest of the forenoon was enjoyed by having
-exciting Woodcraft games of hunting and spearing—both
-games that tested the surety of the arm and eye.
-
-The sun came through heavy clouds during the
-afternoon and the girls enjoyed a hike through the
-woods and fields. Many an item was found that day
-to add to the collection of flowers and trees and birds
-for the new members’ lists.
-
-Late Sunday evening, as all were ready to depart
-from the Council House, it was agreed that never had
-an indoor camp been so appreciated as this one by the
-girls of Wako Tribe.
-
-.. ---File: 189.png
-
-CHAPTER TEN—IN FALLING LEAF MOON
-================================
-
-That week a Council was held to decide upon
-the merits of the new members. As each was
-called upon to answer various questions, the replies
-were perfectly satisfactory until it came Eleanor’s
-turn. The report on her month of probation was not
-very encouraging to the five founders of the Tribe.
-
-“What’s the matter, Eleanor—you’ve had the same
-time and privileges as the others?” asked Zan, impatiently.
-
-“Oh, I don’t know as I care to join this crowd.
-It is always some silly deference to you as Chief. If
-Miss Miller was the one we had to ask permission of
-before we could speak to the others I wouldn’t mind,
-’cause she is older and is a teacher, too. But I refuse
-to kow-tow to you!” retorted Eleanor.
-
-“Humph! Guess you got out of bed with your
-left foot foremost, this morning,” complained Jane.
-
-“If she don’t want to conform to our Tribe laws
-she can do the other thing! I have no intention of
-harbouring mutiny in the circle,” added Zan, angrily.
-
-“No one asked you to! If the other snobbish girls
-want to be walked over just because your father has
-a car in which they can take a ride now and then, it’s
-none of my affair. *I* for one will not act the hypocrite
-for the sake of an automobile drive!” snapped Eleanor.
-
-“Hypocrite! Good gracious! You’re the biggest——”
-
-What it was was not heard, for Miss Miller entered
-and, frowning, remarked: “Ladies! Ladies! are we
-Woodcrafters or are we irresponsible tramps with no
-education or refinement!”
-
-Everyone flushed and looked uncomfortable but
-Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and walked out without
-a word to anyone.
-
-“Let her go—I only hope it’s for good!” grumbled
-Zan.
-
-“I am sorry this incident has occurred just now
-as I brought with me a letter addressed to the Tribe
-to be read at this meeting,” said the Guide.
-
-Not a sound was heard and the teacher continued:
-
-“The other school girls have heard of the good
-times and Nature studies you are having and many
-of them wish to join you. Of course there can be
-but ten more girls added to this Tribe but many of
-those not selected can start another Tribe.
-
-“It seems that Eleanor Wilson has been talking of
-leaving this Band and the girls told her how foolish
-she was when it was going to do her so much good.
-But that is just what made the girl still more obstinate.
-Now matters have come to a crisis here, for this scene
-means Eleanor must stay or go—which shall it be?
-I know certain unpleasant incidents in connection with
-Eleanor’s behaviour that would prejudice me against
-her did I not know that the girl is in dire need of the
-training Woodcraft can give her. What say you?”
-
-Put up to the girls in this way caused each one to
-think seriously and refrain from condemnation. Then
-the Chief said: “We were speaking of these things
-with Mrs. Remington the other day, and she advised
-us to go slow and not act in a way that we might
-regret later.”
-
-“Miss Miller, maybe if we each took this case as
-a personal matter and judged Eleanor as if she was
-our own sister, we might feel more lenient and patient
-with her short-comings,” said May Randall.
-
-Miss Miller was pleasantly surprised to hear a new
-member express such sentiments, and she nodded approvingly.
-“I am glad to hear this—shall we vote
-to give Eleanor another trial?”
-
-“O Chief! Let me say a word before any girl votes
-on a matter that they may not feel quite satisfied with
-but will do as the others wish them to do,” said Nita,
-jumping up and flushing.
-
-“Proceed.”
-
-“If the new members knew of the trouble at
-Wickeecheokee this past Summer and what a change
-has been wrought in me! Some of you knew me
-before this Summer and some did not. But let me
-say, that this case of Eleanor Wilson’s seems much
-the same in a different dress, and if I have seen the
-truth and been helped to a different plane of life cannot
-Eleanor do the same? She needs us.”
-
-Nita’s earnest voice finished speaking and the girls
-realised she had been pleading for the future of a
-girl’s life. The Guide found it necessary to turn away
-her face to pretend to look for a paper in her desk—in
-reality to dry the sudden moisture in her eyes caused
-by Nita’s heartfelt words.
-
-“O Chief! I make a motion that Eleanor be given
-a patient trial just as we would do if a girl was sick,”
-said Elena.
-
-The motion was seconded by Zan, and carried
-unanimously.
-
-“Now girls, let us write a letter to the new applicants
-and let them know that they may look forward
-to joining a second Band in November, and then we
-will send a short note to Eleanor to tell her how
-sorry we were that she did not remain to vote with
-us,” said Zan.
-
-As impulsive Zan, proud Jane, superficial Nita, and
-indolent Elena of last Summer’s experiences showed
-such wonderful improvement for better and nobler
-things, Miss Miller felt that the efforts and time spent
-about “Her Father’s Business” were beginning to
-bear fruit abundantly.
-
-That week the Band met two evenings for social
-and Tribal affairs. The first meeting was held at
-Zan’s house and the second one at Jane Hubert’s.
-Both of these places offered ample space for the Indian
-songs and dances enjoyed by Woodcrafters, so they
-were usually selected in preference to the small rooms
-of modern apartment houses such as the ones where
-Elena, Hilda, and some of the new members lived.
-At Dr. Baker’s house, the girls were discussing the
-limited music given by the tomtom. As the complaints
-were finished Miss Miller addressed the girls.
-
-“I find some of our sweetest songs need a greater
-depth of harmony than is possible to bring out of
-hide, so I will suggest a simple instrument that was
-much in vogue in ancient days. To-day we hear little
-of it. Who present can play on glass?”
-
-No one could and several voices expressed amazement.
-
-.. figure:: images/wood-195.jpg
- :align: center
-
-“Zan, can you bring me eight thin glass finger
-bowls? If you haven’t them, just tumblers will do,
-but the bowls offer a better surface. I will also want
-a jug of water and your moist colours,” said Miss
-Miller.
-
-Zan brought the required articles and Miss Miller
-placed the eight bowls in a row on the table. Then
-she placed a dab of water-colour in each of seven
-bowls, leaving one natural water. Next she poured
-water into the bowls—different quantities for the different
-notes. The first bowl was almost full of water
-and that had no colour in it. The second bowl had not
-as much water and was coloured red. The third bowl
-held still less water which was blue. The fourth with
-still less water was coloured yellow. The fifth was
-green and that was half full. The sixth was less than
-half full and was tinged purple. The seventh held
-a quarter of a bowl full and was orange. The eighth
-and last held but little water and was tinted black.
-The colours were stirred from the bottom so that all
-the paint was well dissolved.
-
-“Now girls, the bowl holding the clear water,
-having more in it than the others, will give us the highest
-note, and so on down the scale until we reach
-the lowest note which holds least water in the
-bowl.
-
-“By placing the highest note and fullest bowl at
-my right hand and so on until the lowest note is at my
-extreme left, I can play the scale just as if I was
-playing on a piano.”
-
-Miss Miller carefully moistened her fingers in the
-water and also moistened the edges of the bowls.
-
-“Now listen and tell me what I am playing?”
-said she.
-
-The Guide lightly passed her moist fingertips around
-the rim of the right-hand bowl and produced a clear
-sweet tone.
-
-“G!” called the girls as she looked for their reply.
-
-“Now these?”
-
-Again she passed her fingers over the rims of the
-glasses and played the scale. As she brought out the
-notes the girls gathered about the table and listened
-with surprised interest.
-
-“Now I will play my favourite patriotic song,
-‘Our America,’ and after I have played it through
-you girls might sing it.”
-
-.. figure:: images/wood-197.jpg
- :align: center
-
- OUR AMERICA
-
-..
-
- | 1
- |
- | America, America, thou gavest birth
- | To light that lighteth all the earth.
- | God keep it pure!
- | We love that onward leading light;
- | We will defend it with our might,
- | It shall endure!
- |
- |
- | 2
- |
- | America, America, our love of thee
- | Is free-men’s love of Liberty,
- | The Spirit blest,
- | Which holds high happiness in store,
- | When Right shall reign from shore to shore.
- | From East to West.
- |
- |
- | 3
- |
- | America, America, thy seer-graved seal
- | Foretells the perfect Commonweal
- | Of God-made men;
- | Its eagle with unwearied wings
- | Is symbol of the thought-seen things
- | Of prophet’s ken.
- |
- |
- | 4
- |
- | America, America, on-pressing van
- | Of all the hopes of waking man,
- | We love thy flag!—Thy stately flag of steadfast
- | stars,
- | And white, close held to heart-red bars,
- | Which none shall drag!
- |
- |
- | 5
- |
- | America, America, in thee is found
- | Manasseh’s tribe, to Ephraim bound
- | By Israel’s vow,
- | Whose destiny is heaven-sealed;
- | Far spreading vine in fruitful field
- | God’s planting, thou!
- |
- |
- | 6
- |
- | America, America, faith-shadowed land,
- | Truth dwells in Thee, and Truth shall stand
- | To guard thy gate.
- | Thy planted seed of potent good
- | Shall grow to world-wide brotherhood,
- | Man’s true estate.
- |
- |
- | 7
- |
- | America, America, the God of love
- | Whose name is ev’ry name above
- | Is thy defence.
- | ’Tis thou must lead the longing world
- | From phantom fears to Love’s unfurled
- | Omnipotence.
-
-The music was played through and then the Guide
-began the song again, expecting the girls to sing, but
-they were so intensely interested in watching her deft
-fingers touch the rims of the bowls that they quite
-forgot to sing. As Miss Miller concluded the song
-the second time, she looked around and laughed:
-
-“That was the softest singing I ever thought
-possible!”
-
-The girls laughed, too, and Zan said: “Try us
-again—maybe we can voice more sound.”
-
-Then the song was played and sung through and
-Mrs. Baker came in to listen, saying: “It sounded
-so sweet that I wanted to hear it at closer range.”
-
-“I think the idea is charming, but of course there
-is nothing like the tomtom for an Indian scalp dance
-or Hopi Indian song,” said Miss Miller.
-
-She then played several old ballads, the girls humming
-the chorus of each as she played it.
-
-“Girls, let’s have Miss Miller play that Morning
-Prayer that was written for us by request. We all
-know the words and with this sweet music it ought
-to sound lovely!” exclaimed Zan.
-
-Then the manuscript sheet of music sent the Band
-by a friend was produced and the Guide played it.
-At the second playing the girls all sang in low sweet
-voices and who can say that the genuine desire expressed
-in the words of the simple verses was not
-as acceptable to the Great Spirit as any scholastic
-prayer ever uttered by famous theologians.
-
-“If Miss Miller will agree, we can practise this
-glass music at odd moments during the week and any
-member excelling in the performance on Saturday will
-have a prize—same as May’s chest,” ventured Jane.
-“Yes, unless we have a camp this week-end. If we
-do we can award the prize some evening next week,”
-assented Zan.
-
-“You girls can all try but I have too many other
-things to do this week. Besides, I wouldn’t bother to
-work for such nonsensical prizes as the kind you gave
-May,” said Eleanor, aggravatingly.
-
-Zan flared up but a look from the Guide calmed
-her again.
-
-“By the way, Eleanor, did you ever complete your
-Woodcraft test of carpentry?” now asked Miss Miller,
-meaningly.
-
-“Why, no—I thought I would leave the Band so
-I did not bother to waste my time.”
-
-“Well, as long as you remained with us, I would
-advise you to finish it without more delay so we can
-credit up your Tally.”
-
-Eleanor said nothing but she sulked all evening,
-and when the girls were ready to leave, Miss Miller
-said: “I am walking down your way, Eleanor, and
-I will be glad to have company part of the way.”
-
-The girl would much rather not have had the Guide
-walk home with her for the memory of her confession
-at Staten Island Camp was never forgotten although
-she had tried to bury it many a time. So she was not
-in a very friendly mood when the two were alone and
-walking down the quiet street.
-
-“I made this opportunity on purpose, Eleanor, and
-I trust you will remember why?” said Miss Miller.
-
-“I haven’t the slightest idea of what you mean,
-but if you walked this way just to be with me why
-should you prevaricate before the whole crowd?”
-
-“I hardly think I did that! I always try to speak
-the truth—in thought as well as in deed. But in this
-instance I felt sure you would prefer to have me word
-my invitation as I did rather than speak bluntly of my
-purpose. I believe in using the ‘wisdom of the serpent’
-when one can be absolutely true to one’s self.”
-
-“Huh! ‘And gentleness of the dove,’ why don’t
-you add?” sneered Eleanor, unkindly.
-
-“I didn’t think it necessary to add that with you,
-as you should be aware of my gentleness in handling
-this delicate situation. As long as you fail to appreciate
-my good intentions it may be that you will understand
-bluntness better.”
-
-Miss Miller waited but Eleanor made no reply, so
-she added:
-
-“When do you intend telling May and the others
-about the theft?”
-
-“How dare you say that to me!” cried Eleanor,
-trying to be furiously insulted.
-
-“Because I dare to stand for the truth. I have
-waited many days now, and offered you many good
-opportunities to admit your deed, but you seem farther
-from doing the right thing than ever. Do you know
-that the hiding of any wrong thing is a hindrance in
-itself to one’s progress?”
-
-“I shall turn in this side street unless you mind
-your own business!” flared Eleanor, looking down the
-uninviting dark road.
-“You may do that but you cannot run away from
-your own self-condemnation and conscience. And I
-know from the signs that you have shown, that the
-trouble is preying upon your mind and making of you
-a most petulant, disagreeable being. Rid yourself of
-the error and see the uplifting you will feel at once.”
-
-Whether it was the yearning in Miss Miller’s voice
-or the answer to her earnest silent prayer for guidance,
-it matters not, for both were sweet to the Father’s
-ear, and Eleanor again felt the surging desire to reform
-and build up a different character for herself.
-
-Quite unexpectedly, she turned and threw her arms
-about the Guide’s neck and wept forth: “Oh, if I
-could only see the girls this very minute—here in the
-dark—I would be so happy to confess.”
-
-“Eleanor, do you really mean that?” asked Miss
-Miller, her voice quivering with hope and joy.
-
-“Um-um, Ooh, ye-e-es! But to-morrow I will be
-hard again!”
-
-“No you won’t, dear child, for the Spirit will stay
-with you to soften the human will! Now let us stop
-in at the gym and you shall write a letter to the Band
-that will answer just the same as if you spoke in the
-dark, for you need not see them when they read the
-words and cry gratefully over your courage and repentance.”
-
-“Cry—don’t you think they will fire me out of the
-Band?” asked Eleanor, incredulously.
-
-“No, my dear, for they know that this from you
-means a far greater work of redemption than if a
-good little girl who never had any erroneous temptations
-always smiled and walked obediently in the pathway
-all prepared for her feet!”
-
-“Oh, Miss Miller, you make everything so good
-and easy for a sinner to repent!”
-
-And they stopped at the school-gymnasium for
-which the teacher carried a key. And here not only
-was a note penned, but many an admonition was given
-the girl that helped her over dark and rocky places
-in after life.
-
-Suffice it to say here, that the letter caused great
-consternation when read by the Guide to the girls the
-next afternoon, but she advised them wisely and
-gently, so that Zan’s fury and May’s resentment soon
-disappeared and left in its place the wish to help
-Eleanor in her struggle to win out in the battle
-between her better self and the evil counterfeit.
-
-Eleanor failed to appear at any of the meetings
-that week although she sent in a piece of carpentry
-made for her test that elicited the admiration of the
-other girls. Also she sent in a Tally Book she made
-for her own use, and this, too, caused Elena, the
-artist, to exclaim, for it was as pretty as her own—and
-that was said to be the most artistic one in the
-Band.
-
-The next Thursday evening’s meeting was held at
-Jane’s home. Miss Miller said it would be a good
-plan to begin regular work on the bead trimmings as
-she wished every girl to complete a handsome set of
-banding for a ceremonial costume in which to appear
-at Grand Councils.
-
-This motion was agreed upon and Elena entered
-the vote in the Tally Book, that each girl was to present
-the results of her bead-loom work a month from
-that day.
-
-Later in the evening the Guide spoke of the many
-ways Woodcraft girls had in the city of following
-pursuits they little dreamed of.
-
-“For instance: when you are on the streets and
-the wind is blowing the dust about, always keep your
-mouth closed and breathe through the nostrils. Also
-keep your toes nearly straight when walking and expand
-the chest. In crossing a street, always look both
-ways, especially in a crowded thoroughfare, before
-attempting to cross. Most of the accidents to pedestrians
-are caused by people in a hurry, or impatient,
-and not obeying the traffic laws. When one is mindful
-of law one is always protected and safe. Now
-I wonder how many of you know the meaning of the
-coloured lights on the street lamps, or other places?
-How many girls are familiar with the signals of policemen,
-particularly the traffic squad?”
-
-Very few of the girls could answer correctly to
-these vital questions, and the Guide explained, then
-continued her talk to them.
-
-“Besides the city signs and laws every girl should
-know where the parks, museums, libraries, and other
-public buildings are located so anyone inquiring for
-them can be directed without loss of time or confusion—also
-for our own convenience.
-
-“In the museums we can study the national costumes
-and customs of every nation in the world, from
-the collections on exhibit of different periods in history.
-Any interested person can find in the wonderful
-free exhibits, the pictures, statuary, carvings, relics,
-and many other things impossible to find elsewhere,
-a liberal education in itself.
-
-“Besides these treasures, gathered at great cost
-of time, life, and money, for us to enjoy at our
-leisure, we also have the aquarium at Battery Park,
-Zoological Gardens, Horticultural Gardens, and many
-interesting streets and structures of old New York
-that one never thinks of being in existence. The public
-lectures given gratis every week to anyone who will
-avail themselves of the privilege, the great Community
-Chorus founded to train voices in the best
-music, the singers giving public concerts for all at
-different times each year, and numerous other sources
-of educational interests where you are invited and
-welcomed as warmly as if you paid an exorbitant fee
-to attend—all these places can be found by referring
-to the daily papers.
-
-“In speaking of the many advantages girls had
-without using a third of them, Mrs. Remington mentioned
-that her Tribe went to the New York Parks
-last year and actually found one hundred different
-kinds of trees, a hundred wild flowers, sixty kinds
-of birds flying about, furry four-footed animals,
-turtles, snakes, and other things mentioned in the
-Manual for *coups* and grand *coups*.”
-
-“I never thought of that!” declared Zan, thoughtfully.
-
-“Neither did I. Can’t we go, too, Miss Miller, and
-make up our hundred for grand *coups*?” asked
-Jane.
-
-“Of course we can, and that is why I mentioned it.
-Even the new members can find what they need right
-in Central Park. Then there is the Bronx and Van
-Courtlandt Parks should you exhaust the ‘happy
-hunting grounds’ of Central Park,” replied the Guide,
-pleased.
-
-“Oh girls, can’t we go right soon?” exclaimed
-Anne Mason.
-
-“Gracious! There seems more to do than one
-Winter can ever find time for!” sighed Nita.
-
-“I know that sigh by this time—Nita thinks we
-won’t bother to dance if we adventure about the wilds
-of New York!” laughed Zan.
-
-“Everything in its own place, you know. We will
-have as much time for steps and songs as ever, for
-the evenings at home can be devoted to indoor fun,
-you know,” explained the Guide.
-
-“I’m glad we won’t have any extra studies to catch
-up with this year. When we had to forge ahead to
-make room for scholars last year, we couldn’t possibly
-have had any Woodcraft fun in the evenings,” ventured
-Hilda, gratefully.
-
-“And so the completion of the new High School
-on the other side of the city is a blessing to you Woodcrafters,”
-said Miss Miller.
-
-“We ought to have our individual Tally Books all
-ready for entries if we go off on trips like the ones
-you mentioned,” suggested May.
-
-“Yes, and I want you to each have your totems
-completed so that important incidents or progress can
-be depicted on the pole. Besides the totems and
-Tallies, each girl must make a good set of rubbing
-sticks and the bag and other adjuncts to complete a
-fire set. We ought to make and decorate articles of
-useful furniture, to make a garment, to cook and
-preserve, and many other pursuits that can be best
-done in the Winter indoors.”
-
-“Miss Miller, I am going to follow Elizabeth Remington’s
-idea. She made a bead band trimming on
-which the story of a Summer in camp was pictured.
-I shall do the same, and in symbolic pictures tell the
-story of our camp on the farm,” said Zan.
-
-“Oh Zan, that will be fine! Call it the costume
-of the ‘Woodcraft Girls at Camp,’” said Jane.
-
-“Do you mind if we girls make one that way?”
-asked Elena.
-
-“Of course not! It isn’t likely that any of you
-will work out the same idea in beads as I will,” replied
-Zan.
-
-“I think the plan is good and the ceremonial dresses
-ought to look beautiful,” approved Miss Miller.
-
-Thus an incentive for beading and sewing was
-offered the original members of Wickeecheokee Band.
-But the new members thought they could design Indian
-figures and symbols that would be pretty and
-answer the present need for trimming, and when they
-had had practise and experiences to picture they could
-add to their bead-work.
-
-That evening the girls learned that Woodcraft was
-not so much a matter of camps and meetings as of
-individual study and growth—and application of the
-highest and best that one was possible of doing.
-
-“O Chief! Will you try and see Eleanor to-morrow
-and tell her of our plans for the Winter? Possibly
-the very fact of your seeking her to mention this
-meeting as an item of Tribe business will assure her
-that we all wish her to do her share in the undertaking,”
-said Miss Miller, as the meeting adjourned.
-
-Zan sought out the wayward member although she
-disliked an errand like this one. She reported the
-different plans the Guide outlined for the girls and
-then told Eleanor to “get busy” on her bead trimming
-for a leather costume.
-
-“Dear me, it is nothing but work, work, work, in
-your Lodge. Now I heard from a girl who is a
-Woodcrafter in Plainfield, and *she* says they have
-the jolliest times! They go to entertainments, have
-candy pulls, parties, and almost every week they all
-go to some place of amusement together. *You* never
-do that!” complained Eleanor.
-
-“If that girl tells the truth and is a real Woodcrafter
-she combines pleasure with advancement.
-Maybe she considers a hike or a Council a party, and
-you misunderstood her. She may think she ‘is having
-the best of times’ going to a lecture which you misconstrue
-as a place of amusement. Anyway, it doesn’t
-matter what some folks think or do, Wako Tribe has
-a pattern of its own and it cuts its cloth accordingly,”
-replied Zan, not too humbly, for she felt impatient at
-the reception given her message from Miss Miller.
-
-Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and Zan left her
-without another word, both feeling the occasion had
-been given for a better understanding but the result
-of it was a failure.
-
-After the meeting at which the girls realised the
-many free resorts where Woodcraft *coups* could be
-won, they took new interest in home-work as well.
-Zan completed a set of rustic furniture made of the
-timber from the farm, and this set of table, two chairs,
-and two stools was decorated with Indian emblems.
-
-“Dad, isn’t this a peachy set?” asked she when it
-was finished and standing on the wide rear porch
-for exhibition.
-
-“It certainly is, Daughter. Now the question is,
-where shall we keep it until next Spring when we can
-ship it to the farm?” answered the doctor.
-
-“Keep it? Why, in the parlour, of course!” declared
-Zan, frowning at the implied meaning in her father’s
-question.
-
-“And sell the junk mother has there to a second
-hand dealer! Of course! how could I have been so
-stupid as to think otherwise,” replied Dr. Baker
-meekly.
-Zan studied his face but his expression was inscrutable.
-
-“We-el-1—I s’pose I *might* keep it in the library!”
-ventured she, as she pictured her mother’s
-solid-mahogany-frames-upholstered-silk-velour-furniture
-thrown on a scrap wagon.
-
-“Maybe—I am only suggesting, of course—maybe
-we could ship it to the farm this Fall and store there
-until next Summer,” said the doctor.
-
-“But I expect to use it all the time, Dad. Right
-this week I shall sit on the chair and use the table,”
-cried Zan.
-
-“Then let us leave it just where it is for the time
-being as you need all the fresh air you can get during
-the fine Indian Summer weather. When the snow
-blows we can freight it to Wickeecheokee.”
-
-Everyone Zan knew was brought to the house to
-admire the rustic furniture, but after a week of exhibiting
-she grew weary of repeating verbally the
-methods of manufacturing the set, and then she settled
-down to use it when at work on the bead-loom.
-
-The table and a chair were carried to the birches
-still green, growing in one corner of the grass-plat,
-and here Zan wove the banding, her nimble fingers
-flying in and out, back and forth, as the bead trimming
-began to take on unique and pretty pictures of camp-life.
-
-Now and then some of the other girls would join
-Zan and work on the looms, and at these visits tongues
-would talk of the many plans for Tribe activities that
-Winter.
-
-“Do you see any improvement in Eleanor?” asked
-Jane, one day.
-
-“Funny that you should ask me that. I asked Miss
-Miller the same thing this morning,” replied Zan.
-
-“What did she say?” from Jane.
-
-“She thought the change wrought for the better
-was more mental and spiritual than in material expression,
-but the results were bound to be apparent
-to everyone in time.”
-
-“Guess it will be a long time, then!” retorted Jane.
-
-“Miss Miller says we mustn’t feel that way about
-it. That we are killing the frail child of a weak but
-higher aspiration. If we train our thoughts to consider
-the motives and yearnings for a more harmonious
-life that the girl *must* have, we will not condemn and
-criticise her acts. It is the *human* judgment of *things*
-that makes obstacles in the road of one’s advancement,
-she told me.”
-
-“Dear me, I wish I was as good and wise as Miss
-Miller,” sighed Jane, gazing skyward.
-
-“Say, you’re not the only one holding a mortgage
-on that wish! Every blessed girl of Wako Tribe tries
-to copy the model Guide,” said Zan, smilingly, as she
-remembered Fiji’s words: “If you knew as much as
-your Guide, what a wonderful sister you would be.”
-
-Miss Miller had reports to make out that week-end
-so there was no hope of camping, but the girls felt
-they had so much to do in the city that the outing
-would not be missed. A plan was made for the following
-week, however, to camp on the Palisades. The
-Guide invited the girls to meet her for a short time
-in the gymnasium that Friday, to decide upon a location
-for the camp.
-
-Miss Miller was not in the room when the girls
-gathered together, but she came in shortly afterward.
-Her face beamed with pleasant news and Zan immediately
-said:
-
-“We know from your expression that you know
-something good!”
-
-“Yes, I do, and the letter just came on the last
-mail. I just received the pass for our Band admitting
-us to the lectures and cinematograph pictures given at
-the National Museum of History in New York. They
-start next week and the course, which is on Indian
-Crafts and Folk Lore beginning with the Zuni Indians,
-will be of great interest and help to us. I want every
-one of you girls to try and attend these lectures with
-me, so better ask permission from your parents.”
-
-“Oh, that *is* good news!” cried Elena.
-
-“We sure are indebted to you, Miss Miller, for all
-the trouble you take for our enjoyment,” added Zan.
-
-The other girls expressed their gratitude, too, and
-then the talk centered on the expectations of what
-these lectures would bring forth. Miss Miller saw
-the condition that often exists when folks are given
-something to look forward to in the near future—their
-thoughts fill with outlines and ideas of that
-which is to be, instead of living and making the best
-of that which is offered at the immediate present.
-The wise Guide knew that this form of mental picturing
-and outlining of things, still misty and indistinct
-to the individual, was an undesirable state of
-imagination so she quickly changed the current of
-their thoughts by saying:
-
-“Girls, I have an odd Indian legend founded on the
-constellation of ‘Charles Wain.’ Want to hear it?”
-
-Naturally every girl cried for the story and they
-sat down in a circle to listen.
-
-.. ---File: 212.png
-
-CHAPTER ELEVEN—CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS
-===================================
-
-“This myth comes from the Tlingit Indians of
-Alaska and is named ‘The Wain House
-People,’” began Miss Miller.
-
-“Certain Indians came to a fort to live, and after
-a time began killing bears, ground-hogs, porcupines,
-mountain sheep, and other animals for food. After
-they had killed them, they cut off the heads and set
-them up on sticks about the village, then the people
-sang to these objects.
-
-“Now there was a young man among them who
-was to be Chief. When he was born he had been
-placed in a sheep’s skin instead of cradle. As he
-grew older he was able to follow the mountain sheep
-to places on the cliffs where no one else could go,
-hence he killed more sheep than anyone else.
-
-“After he had cut off and mounted the heads of
-his sheep he, too, would sing and dance about them,
-saying tauntingly: ‘I wish I was a sheep! I wish
-my head was cut off too!’
-
-“Meantime, the mountain sheep were becoming
-angry at losing so many of their flocks and one day,
-when the villagers went up for a great hunt, they
-met a flock of sheep that led them up the steep mountain-side
-to a place where they appeared to be herding
-together.
-
-“But once near the sheep, the people were surprised
-to see them race still higher up the side of the steep
-rocks. The young hunter who wished to be a great
-chief ran after them and became separated from his
-companions. When on the very top of the peak he
-was met by a fine looking young man who shone like
-the sun and had a long white beard like the mountain
-ancients. This stranger turned to the youth who had
-been cradled in a sheep’s skin and invited him to his
-home. He led the way inside of the mountain where
-everything looked weird and strange. Great heaps
-of horns were piled everywhere, and the stranger said:
-‘These are the horns I am keeping to fit to the heads
-of the villagers.’
-
-“When the young man’s friends missed him they
-sought day and night without success, then they went
-home to plan how to rescue him. For many days the
-search was resumed until finally they discovered his
-horn-spear stuck in the ground near the top of the
-peak. But no other clue could they find although they
-kept up a search for many days.
-
-“Then the villagers declared that he was lost to
-them and they wailed and beat the drums for the
-hunter who came not back.
-
-“Now the shining stranger tried to fit a pair of
-horns on the young hunter’s head. They were heated
-and, when taken from the terrific fire that burned
-continually in the pit of the mountain, they were put
-upon and held to his head so that the poor hunter
-thought the insides of his head would be burnt out.
-
-“During this trial, a few of the hunter’s friends
-still sought for him whenever they hunted on the
-mountain-side, and after a year’s time, a young man
-climbed up the peak after a flock of mountain sheep,
-and there he heard someone shout to him. He knew
-it was the friend who had been lost. He shouted back,
-but the lost friend began singing and saying: ‘I must
-go now, the shining stranger comes and will find me.’
-
-“The young man ran back to the village and told
-everyone what he had heard. They were surprised
-to hear that a stranger lived on top of the mountain,
-but one old villager said: ‘It must be the Man-of-the-Sun-shining-on-the-Mountain-Peaks.’
-
-“So they set out to capture all the sheep that lived
-on that mountain, knowing that the Man-of-the-Sun
-would try to prevent his sheep from being killed.
-Then they would bargain for the life of their friend
-in exchange for the sheep.
-
-“Now the sheep that lived on the very peak of the
-mountain could see down into the valleys when the
-villagers went out to hunt. And they said to the young
-man: ‘Your people come again to kill all the sheep.
-Tell them, therefore, that if they will throw away
-their weapons we will let you go, but if they persist
-in killing our flocks we will also kill you.’
-
-“The young captive then went out on the very edge
-of the cliff and called down to his people: ‘The sheep
-say they will send me back if you will give up the
-chase of their flocks. Now you must hear them or
-I shall be thrown into the pit of fire.’
-
-“But the young hunter who heard the voice called
-back: ‘We must have food. What shall we do without
-sheep?’
-
-“Then an old ram came up to the captive and said:
-‘Tell them if they must have us for food, they can
-at least hang up our sheep-skins on the poles which
-hold our heads. If the heads and skins are faced
-toward the rising sun our Chief will bring us all
-safely home again for another time. If you stick
-eagles’ feathers on our skins we can fly from your
-village without trouble. You should mount the heads
-of grizzly bears on poles and face them toward the
-night. For they are wicked animals.’
-
-“So the captive repeated the words of the ram and
-when he had finished speaking he was hurried back
-inside the mountain for fear his friends would shoot
-at and kill the sheep waiting on the peak.
-
-“And the people did try to kill the sheep and recover
-their friend, and so many of the flock were
-killed and carried away that the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun
-came out and spoke.
-
-“‘This is the last time the mountain sheep will
-talk with you. If your people will not do as we say,
-then I will kill you. But if they will listen to you and
-will not make war on the sheep till Fall, when we
-always go down from the peaks to graze in the timber
-lands below the glacier, then they can come with their
-dogs and save you.’
-
-.. ---File: 216.png
-
-“In the Autumn, therefore, the people prepared to
-make a great hunt and kill sheep for Winter food.
-The sheep were already in the timber lands below the
-glacier and when the villagers came up the side of the
-mountain the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun sent the captive
-down the steep cliff to meet his friends. As he stood
-there with horns on his head and a sheep-skin covering
-his body, the dogs thought he was a sheep and charged
-upon him. But they soon recognised a friend and ran
-back to bark for the hunters.
-
-“When the villagers heard the story they promised
-they would not kill any sheep that year, but hunt for
-grizzlies and deer for food. They broke their spears
-and other weapons and threw them over the side of
-the cliff, and as they did so the horns fell off and the
-sheep-skin disappeared from the young man’s form.
-And he stood forth strong and courageous as ever;
-his people found he smelled like the things that grow
-up on top of the mountains where the wind and sky
-and earth are pure and sweet.
-
-“The people were happy and escorted him to the
-village. The moment he saw the sheep-skins lying
-about he said: ‘Dampen these and hang them up on
-poles with feathers stuck to them. Place them facing
-the rising sun as I promised the ram we would do.’
-
-“When the skins were ready to mount the young
-man painted each face red and stuck eagles’ down on
-the backs. As he hung each skin facing the sun he
-said: ‘You are in just the position your Chief ordered,
-now fly away.’
-
-.. ---File: 217.png
-
-“Early the next morning the fort shook as with
-a mighty earth-quake and every piece of flesh that
-had been eaten from the sheep-skins was replaced by
-new flesh, and as the young chief opened the door
-of his wigwam the sheep-skins, now plumped out and
-alive again, ran away towards the mountain.
-
-“But, strange to say, the sheep-skins had been so
-long with the people that many of them had beards
-when their skins filled out again. And many of the
-sheep forgot their mountain habits and wandered
-about at the foot of the cliffs, so that they became
-tame and lived with men ever after.
-
-“After the sheep were sent back to the mountains,
-the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun on the Mountain Peak
-sent a good spirit to the young chief who had obeyed
-and kept his promise. The spirit would be his
-strength so that he could do anything he wanted
-done.
-
-“At the gift presented to their young chief the
-people rejoiced greatly, and made him a pair of snowshoes,
-a shaman’s mask, and many bows and arrows.
-Then the chief ordered the people to come to him.
-They were then at Fort-by-a-small-lake, which was
-west of Juneau City, and there they built a big house
-for the chief with a good spirit. On the door-posts
-of this house they carved the signs of the Great Dipper.
-Then the shaman fasted four days and four
-nights and when the constellation appeared and blessed
-the people, those people were called Wain House
-People and have been so called ever since.”
-
-.. ---File: 218.png
-
-“There isn’t much hidden truth in that legend,”
-said Zan, who felt disappointed with the story.
-
-“I liked it, all right,” said Elena.
-
-“It’s a queer tale—some of those Indian stories
-are so impossible as to be ridiculous,” commented
-Hilda.
-
-“In our translations perhaps, but we must remember
-that many words in the Eskimo are impossible
-to translate properly and still retain beauty and sense.
-But the story goes to show that at a remote age the
-Alaskan Indians knew and named the ‘Wain,’ even
-as the present age does.”
-
-The week-end determined upon for a camp on the
-Hudson proved to be perfect October weather, and
-great was the buzzing about the gymnasium as the
-girls packed their outfits and waited for the three
-autos to carry them to the nearest place for the Alpine
-camp.
-
-Miss Miller had heard much about the wild grandeur
-and beauty of Alpine in the Autumn, and she had pictured
-a beautiful place of Nature. But she was disappointed
-when the cars stopped on the Fort Lee road
-and Jim said:
-
-“This is as far as we can safely go.”
-
-The girls were compelled, therefore, to carry their
-outfits across the stubbly fields to reach the woods that
-fringed the river cliffs. The chauffeurs gave all the
-assistance they could, and when the woods were
-reached they left to return home, while the campers
-struggled on to find a suitable site.
-
-.. ---File: 219.png
-
-The entire area along the Palisades had been purchased
-as city property and was being ploughed over;
-diseased timber was cut down, and down timber
-chopped up ready to remove, when the Tribe first
-caught a glimpse of the place. Wherever a clearing
-had been, was now used for piling up refuse, stones,
-and brushwood. The day was unusually warm for
-the season and the heavy packs which had to be carried
-to camp did not help anyone to feel more cheerful.
-
-“Oh, this is awful! I wish I had never come!”
-complained Eleanor, stopping every other moment to
-gasp and rest.
-
-“It isn’t very alluring, I must admit,” said Miss
-Miller, as disappointed as the others.
-
-“Great Caesar’s ghost! *What* are they going to
-do with this upside-down area!” finally cried Nita,
-as she caught her toe in some half-buried trash
-and fell head-long into a rut newly ploughed that
-week.
-
-“It’s in the throes of being transformed into a
-Park!” laughed Zan.
-
-“Oh no!” called Jane, “this is the evolution of a
-dancing floor for Nita.”
-
-After many stumblings and grumblings, the Tribe
-reached the cool shadows of the woodland where they
-found a plain trail running along the crest of the river
-bank. Zan led the way and after they had gone some
-distance through the dense woods she came to a
-natural clearing that projected far over on the cliff.
-She went out there and instantly dropped her pack.
-
-.. ---File: 220.png
-
-“Oh! Come here and see the wonderful view!”
-shouted she.
-
-Everyone dropped the tiresome luggage and gladly
-ran out to join Zan.
-
-“Ah! This repays us for all the toil and hardships
-endured,” exclaimed Miss Miller, with clasped hands,
-admiring the view.
-
-From the point where they stood, hundreds of feet
-above the majestic Hudson, they could see up and
-down the river for miles. The city of Yonkers was
-opposite, and the river-craft plying the Hudson provided
-interesting scenes to the girls. The gorgeous
-colouring of foliage on both sides of the river clothed
-the hills and cliffs with beautiful tones made by Nature’s
-paint-brush. The air was sweet and warm, and
-crickets, some late birds, and insects added their voices
-to the general music of the Falling Leaf Moon.
-
-“I wish we could camp near here,” ventured Jane.
-
-“I thought I heard running water before you joined
-me. Maybe we can find a brook or spring,” suggested
-Zan.
-
-“I heard there was a beautiful bit of water here
-called Alpine Falls. If we could only find it!” said
-Miss Miller.
-
-“Let’s separate and scout for it. Leave the baggage
-here for the time,” responded Zan.
-
-But they had not far to search, for Zan *had* heard
-falling water, part way down the steep Palisades, falling
-from a great height on a rocky peak to a glen
-beneath. The stream that fed the falls had worn a
-narrow but deep gully on top of the cliffs, and Miss
-Miller was the one to discover it as she sought for a
-good camp-site. A rustic bridge spanned the ravine
-and a path led a circuitous way down to the ledge
-where the Falls formed a foamy pool before running
-over its rocky basin to tumble recklessly on down to
-join the river.
-
-Miss Miller wished to assure herself that it would
-be a safe spot for so many girls to camp, so she followed
-the path to the ledge and there saw a rustic
-sign nailed to a tree, “Alpine Falls—no camping allowed
-on this ledge.”
-
-She climbed back again and called to the Tribe to
-join her. They were delighted with the place, and
-when Miss Miller told them of the sign they agreed
-to camp at the clearing on the point and use the Falls
-for cooking and wash water.
-
-“I hope to goodness no one here is a sleep-walker,”
-laughed Zan, waving a hand in the direction of the
-precipice.
-
-“No one here guilty of that habit!” replied Miss
-Miller.
-
-So camp was pitched and preparations for supper
-well under way before Jane said: “We forgot to
-think of a swim.”
-
-“Too late! Besides, we’ll have to crawl down this
-wall and see if there is any sort of a place where we
-can get in,” answered Zan.
-
-That evening they enjoyed riddles, charades, and
-Nita danced a wild flower dance she had invented.
-Miss Miller told them of some of her interesting
-experiences while travelling in Egypt and the Old
-World, and then to bed.
-
-Early in the morning, Zan turned over in her tiny
-cot and yawned. Awake in an instant, she sat up
-and sniffed.
-
-“Who’s baking breakfast gems? They smell fine!”
-
-She jumped up and peeped from the flap of the
-tent. At a good camp-fire she saw the funniest baker
-she ever thought possible to utilise. But no one was
-about, so she crept out in her pajamas and grass
-slippers to investigate.
-
-On a smooth stick safely driven into the ground
-near enough to the camp-fire to warrant a steady heat
-reaching it, was twisted a long flat strip of dough.
-It began to wind about the stick from the bottom and
-ended near the top. As it baked and browned on the
-side nearest the fire, a delightful aroma came from it
-and permeated the air.
-
-“Well, I never! If this isn’t the most ingenious
-device!” murmured Zan, chuckling to herself.
-
-“Watching my bread-twist, Zan?” called a voice,
-and Zan looked over to see the Guide coming from
-the Falls where she had had a cold bath.
-
-“Yes, but I was wondering how to give the offside
-a chance to brown?” replied Zan.
-
-“I’ll show you—simple as anything.” And Miss
-Miller merely took hold of the top-end of the stick
-and gave it a sharp turn. Naturally the bread turned
-with it, and the side that was brown was now facing
-away from the fire while the other side was turned
-toward it to bake and brown.
-
-Zan laughed and nodded her head approvingly, then
-glanced at the other breakfast food cooking. Cereal
-was boiling in a pot hanging over the fire where the
-bread was baking, and apples were stewing in a saucepan.
-
-“Did we bring apples yesterday?” asked she.
-
-“No, but I found a little old tree down the trail
-and most of these were picked up from the ground.
-Don’t they smell good?”
-
-“Um-m! Should say they did. But tell me, Miss
-Miller—did you stay up all night to work like this?”
-
-“Hardly! I got up an hour ago and mixed the
-bread dough, then started the fire. After that I wanted
-to see what kind of a country was back there, and I
-found the apples. When they were stewing and the
-cereal on boiling, I went for my morning wash.”
-
-“I’ll run in and wash and dress, then I’ll be back
-to help,” said Zan, starting off for the tent.
-
-Hilda was already up and dressing when Zan ran
-in, and both girls chattered so noisily about the bread-twist
-that the others awoke and jumped out of bed.
-
-When Zan and Hilda returned to the camp-fire the
-Guide asked Hilda to broil the ham while Zan spread
-the breakfast cloth.
-
-“What can I do?” asked Jane, coming over.
-
-“You can get a pail of fresh water from the Falls
-and fill the cups at each plate,” returned the Guide.
-
-That breakfast was appreciated thoroughly by
-everyone, for the bread was hot and crisp and the
-ham fried as brown as any ever served by Southern
-cook.
-
-“After we finish breakfast and have cleared away
-the dishes, we must explore the immediate neighbourhood
-to find out if we are on a main trail where
-visitors are liable to come and interrupt our peace,”
-said Miss Miller.
-
-The camp chores done, the Tribe started for a hike,
-intending to circle their camp-site and look for possible
-intruders. They had followed the trail but a short
-distance before Miss Miller spied some fine white
-birches. Some of these had been cut down as being
-in the way for the proposed roadways of the park.
-The Guide immediately found a use for the large
-sheets of bark that were peeling from the trunks.
-
-“Girls, we will postpone our scouting for a time
-when there is no important work at hand, but now
-do let us collect as much of this splendid birch bark
-while it is offered us without damaging standing
-trees.”
-
-The Guide then showed the eager Woodcrafters
-how to peel the bark to keep it in large sections and
-not split it into strips. When everyone was laden with
-as much bark as could possibly be carried, they started
-for camp and deposited their freight on the ground.
-
-“You need not waste a bit of this bark—even this
-bit will make the outside of a dainty pen-wiper. It
-can be cut oblong and decorated with gold-paint. With
-leaves of felt or flannel between the two sections, and
-these tied together with a cord or ribbon, it makes
-a pretty memento.”
-
-“I suppose Miss Miller will find endless ways to
-use this tinder, just as she did for the sea-shore pebbles
-and shells,” remarked May, laughingly.
-
-“I can think of enough ideas right now to keep
-you girls busy until Christmas,” rejoined the Guide,
-also laughingly.
-
-“For instance?” questioned Zan, curious to hear
-the items.
-
-“Well, you can make needle-cases, pin-cushions,
-boxes for neckties for the boys, boxes for handkerchiefs
-for parents, picture frames, veneering for rustic
-furniture, Tally Book covers, camp utensils—such as
-dishes, pots, pans, and platters, toilet sets, and many
-other things.”
-
-“That’s right! I never thought of using birch
-bark for such things,” declared Elena.
-
-“Make a record of it in the Tally!” teased Zan,
-for Elena was acquiring the habit of entering everything
-in that book.
-
-“If we should find any sweet grass on our walks
-while here, we must be sure and gather it, as it is
-what is needed to sew up the seams of birch bark. If
-the grass is wound about with red linen thread it
-makes it much stronger and looks pretty, too. The
-bark must be punched with a row of holes so the
-grass-binding can pass through without tearing. I
-think we have a punch at home such as children use
-in a kindergarten school.”
-
-.. ---File: 226.png
-
-“Miss Miller, do you know of other articles to
-make out of wild-wood things?” asked May, with
-awe at the Guide’s knowledge.
-
-“Well, I think pine cones make the oddest and
-prettiest things. The small cones combined with birch
-bark are lovely. I have made frames by glueing cones
-in patterns on thin bark-covered wooden frames. I
-have a large picture of George Washington at home
-that I framed in this way years ago. Then, too, I
-will show you a work-box that I made for my mother.
-It was made of a cigar-box and covered with bark.
-On top of the lid, and about the sides, I glued different
-kinds of cones and stems. Then I varnished the whole
-thing and it was beautiful, in my estimation. It has
-lasted to this day, and I made it over five years ago.”
-
-“I waxed some Autumn leaves last year and we
-used them over the windows and doors until Christmas
-time. Everyone said they looked *so* pretty,” said
-Elena.
-
-“Why can’t we gather some of these beautiful leaves
-and do the same thing with them, Miss Miller?” asked
-Jane, eagerly.
-
-“We must wax them with sperm and iron them
-as soon as they are cut from the branches. You see,
-the colours remain exactly the same as when they
-were gathered if you wax them before they have time
-to dry. Whole branches can be waxed this way and
-used for decorative purposes. Florists to-day use
-great masses of waxed Autumn leaves in their exhibits,
-or for back-grounds through the Winter
-months. But care must be taken when ironing the
-spermaceti over the leaves that the hot iron does not
-touch the stem or wood of the branch. If it does,
-the leaf will immediately fall off.”
-
-So much time had been taken by the collecting and
-descriptions of articles made of birch bark, that it
-was noon before anyone dreamed it was more than
-ten o’clock.
-
-“Girls, we ought to find a place for a swim and
-then have lunch. After that we will seek for a neighbour—if
-there are any on this crest,” said Miss
-Miller.
-
-But the girls could find no way to get down the steep
-cliff-side unless they went a long way back. So they
-gave up the hope of a swim that day and started off
-to seek for adventure.
-
-They had gone about a mile in a new direction when
-one of the girls glimpsed a fine old mansion painted
-so nearly like the green and russet colouring of the
-woods that it was difficult to distinguish it from its
-beautiful setting.
-
-“No wonder we didn’t see it before,” remarked
-Zan, gazing at its dark brown shingled sides and
-green roof.
-
-“It doesn’t seem occupied. Maybe the people do
-not live here,” suggested Elena.
-
-“There’s a rustic fence with a gate. I can see a
-notice hanging on the gate—let’s see what it says,”
-called Jane, who was in advance of the others.
-
-In a few moments the Band stood reading the sign.
-“No trespassing on these grounds under penalty
-of the law.”
-
-“We’re not on their land yet, but it’s a shame to
-have a fence cut off an adventure right in the middle
-of a trail!” pouted Nita.
-
-“It may prove a far more thrilling adventure to sit
-here and try to explain the reason for closed shutters
-and an abandoned house at this time of year,” ventured
-Miss Miller.
-
-Even as she spoke, a gardener came forward along
-a side path, and doffed his cap.
-
-“I heared your voices an’ I sure was s’prised to
-find a lot of school-girls. You—all seldom come as
-far as this. The ‘Annabell’—that’s the launch runnin’
-from Yonkers to Alpine and back agin—generally
-leaves ’em at the foot of the cliff where they picnic.”
-
-“We saw the sign and wondered if we were trespassing
-out here?” replied Miss Miller, in a questioning
-voice.
-
-“Not at all! In fack, it would be all right for
-ladies to walk through the groun’s when no one’s
-home. The family’s gone for the season now. We
-have to keep the sign up, just the same, to keep out
-the roughs from the city who would destroy the trees
-and flowers fer nothin’. Would you like to come
-in?” asked the old man, politely.
-
-“I think not, thank you. We are camping down
-on the point by the Falls, and this was an afternoon
-hike. Now we will go back and hunt for a spot where
-we can bathe,” explained the Guide.
-“I kin help you there. I haven’t gone down to take
-up the two boats yet, or remove the portable bath-house
-we have on the beach, an’ you’se are welcome
-to use both boats and house if it will accommodate
-you.”
-
-“Oh how lovely!” cried the girls, before Miss
-Miller could decide what would be the proper thing
-to do. So she smiled and thanked the generous
-stranger.
-
-“I’ll jes’ run and git the keys to unlock the padlocks
-and bring you’se the oars.” So saying, the old
-man hurried to the barn back of the mansion.
-
-“Now isn’t this a real adventure?” laughed Miss
-Miller.
-
-“And we wouldn’t have had it if there wasn’t a
-house and a care-taker here to obstruct the trail!”
-added Zan.
-
-It didn’t take the Woodcrafters very long to run
-back to camp and find their bathing togs, then on
-down the steep path that seemed to drop sheer from
-the heights to the river-beach.
-
-The two boats added greatly to the fun of the water-sports.
-As every girl could swim a little, and the
-water was shallow near the shore, there was no danger
-in toppling out of the boat.
-
-There were some glorious battles of “tag” played
-with a bag of old cork found on the beach. One girl
-would throw the bag and, if it landed in the other
-boat, that side was “it” and was supposed to chase
-the opponent and try to fling the cork into their boat.
-
-.. ---File: 230.png
-
-When they began to weary of this game, the Guide
-announced a swimming contest. Then followed a
-diving contest. Lastly a prize was offered to the girl
-who could swim under water and bring up from the
-river bottom the white flour-bag filled with sand which
-Miss Miller had prepared and was ready to drop from
-a boat into the clear depths of the river.
-
-The spot designated was about ten feet deep and
-about ten yards from shore, but only a few girls could
-swim under water and it transpired that only Elizabeth
-Remington could swim with her eyes open. Naturally
-she was the one to bring up the trophy.
-
-“No wonder we couldn’t do it when we never
-tried to keep our eyes open under water—it hurts!”
-grumbled Zan, who disliked to be outdone by another
-girl.
-
-Miss Miller silently exulted in the success of her
-little plan, for she knew Elizabeth could accomplish
-the deed and wanted the other girls to see her
-do it, thus imbuing them with the desire to try
-also.
-
-“Maybe it hurts at first, but I’m going to get that
-bag!” declared Jane, plunging in and trying to open
-her eyes while swimming under the water.
-
-Others dared the test also, and soon all were sputtering
-or laughing at their trials and failures. Finally,
-however, each one could brag of being able to keep
-eyes open if but for a few seconds while swimming
-under water.
-
-As they climbed the cliff again, Miss Miller said:
-“I think it is as important to know how to swim
-under water with your eyes open to see what you are
-meeting, as it is to keep your eyes open when crossing
-a thoroughfare.”
-
-“Ha! Discovered in the act!” laughed Zan, pointing
-an accusing finger at the Guide.
-
-Miss Miller laughed also and nodded.
-
-“What?” questioned May.
-
-“She did that stunt on purpose to make us keen
-to learn the trick,” hastily explained Jane, who saw
-the nod and guessed rightly.
-
-That evening while sitting about the camp-fire Miss
-Miller suggested a Hallow E’en treat for Zan’s birthday.
-She spoke of many ways Woodcrafters could
-celebrate, providing the weather was fair for a weekend
-camp in the woods.
-
-Then Elena made a suggestion. “I am going to
-design and make a Woodcraft article to give our
-Chief for a birthday gift.”
-
-“I think that’s great! I’ll do one, too,” added Jane.
-
-“So will I,” echoed Hilda.
-
-“Let’s all make something in Woodcraft for the
-party,” said Nita.
-
-“Girls, why not exchange gifts with each other and
-make them ourselves in Woodcraft style? We need
-not limit the giving to Zan, you know,” suggested the
-Guide.
-
-“Gracious me! It will take a pile of presents and
-ages to finish them all,” exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur;
-“I can’t do it.”
-
-.. ---File: 232.png
-
-“I had no idea of elaborate gifts. For instance,
-Nita can dance a new step on the evening of the party,
-and teach it to Zan for a present. That will not take
-her long nor be much work,” explained Miss Miller.
-
-“Oh, that won’t be a gift!” laughed Nita.
-
-“Why not? Won’t it be the expression of your
-desire to give pleasure to another? And won’t Zan
-remember your love and generosity that really constitutes
-*true* giving? It is a mistake to look at the material
-object as the gift, and forget the loving spirit that
-formed the thought which expressed itself in the thing.
-The material gift is destructible, but the love of a
-friend remains forever the true gift.”
-
-“According to Miss Miller, then, we will be silly
-to waste time on producing material objects when we
-can easily wish our love on anyone,” retorted Eleanor,
-in an unpleasant tone.
-
-“Eleanor, when we reach that state of perfect
-brotherhood of which Jesus spoke as Heaven, we
-shall exchange love and goodness without the material
-accompaniment, but while still on earth our limited
-vision and other senses require the expression in kind
-as we are, to be able to realise the love and desire to
-make others happy. That is why we are compelled
-to plan and work before our friends know the state
-of our feelings. For instance, your words spoken in
-tones and expression of human resentment show me
-quite plainly that your thought is wrong—that you
-rebel in mind against doing what was proposed by
-the love of the other girls. But I may not have realised
-this state of your thought had you not expressed it—see
-what I mean?” said Miss Miller, meaningly.
-
-Eleanor flushed but said nothing. And Zan quickly
-said: “Say, girls, we can all win *coups* that will
-count if we make some Woodcraft things mentioned
-in the Manual!”
-
-“So we can! And each can choose what she likes,”
-abetted Jane.
-
-.. ---File: 234.png
-
-CHAPTER TWELVE—A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN
-================================================
-
-In the days following the camp-talk, the girls saw
-little of each other after school, as they were busy
-working on the gifts to be distributed at the Hallow
-E’en camp.
-
-Zan had spoken of a pattern Nita had for a dancing
-costume, so Nita made the dress of cotton crepe, costing
-very little in coin of the realm but much in thought
-and work. She disliked sewing and the very fact that
-she spent so much time to have the costume neatly
-finished spoke highly for her progress in character
-as well as of her way of expressing friendship.
-
-For the other girls, Nita wrote out simple directions
-to dance improvised steps of old dances. She also
-printed simple music fitted to go with the unique steps.
-
-For Miss Miller, she made an artistic programme
-for the Gift Ceremony which was explained to her
-by Mrs. Remington. This was to be used on the
-occasion of the birthday evening.
-
-Hilda naturally followed the line of least resistance
-in selecting her gifts. She made candy, baked a cake,
-wrote out a tiny Tally Book of recipes for the Guide,
-and having packed the candies in empty boxes she
-always saved for the purpose, she did each package
-up in yellow crêpe paper and tied it with black cord;
-on the knot tied on top of the boxes she fastened a
-black cardboard bat or a witch with a broom-stick.
-
-Elena, adept with the brush, made individual Tally
-Books of brown butcher paper and bound them in
-leather with thong strips to fasten them together. She
-had secured the small remnants of tanned leather at
-a wholesale leather house in the factory-district of
-the city. The Tallies were decorated with the name
-of the individual artistically printed in India ink, and
-the scroll decorations were so wrought that black cats,
-witches, pumpkins, broom-sticks, bats, and other suggestive
-things of Hallow E’en were featured as a
-remembrance of the party.
-
-Jane made a dozen narrow beaded head-bands which
-showed in the designs the meaning of Hallow E’en.
-They were very beautiful and were sure to be appreciated
-by the girls. Besides those for each member
-of the Band she made one for Elizabeth Remington,
-who was invited to the party, and one for Miss Miller.
-
-Zan made the unique decorations for the party.
-Each was wrapped in paper and the name of the girl
-printed in plain view. These gifts were original and
-diversified in style.
-
-She took empty cereal boxes—square ones as well
-as the round cartons used by Quaker Oats—and cut
-designs in the sides, having sketched the pattern on
-the cardboard before cutting away. A metal clip
-as is generally used on Christmas trees to hold the
-candles was inserted in the bottom of the box and
-fastened to hold a candle when necessary. Picture
-wire was fastened at the top to suspend the box.
-When this was finished, she blackened the entire box
-with cheap shoe-polish to represent wrought iron.
-
-Zan also found two Edam cheese cases about to
-be thrown away and these she captured for use. The
-contents had all been scraped out, so she cut a hole
-in the bottom of the rind for a candle socket, then
-cut grotesque mouth, nose, and eyes in the sides.
-Wire was used at the top to hang them by and when
-finished they looked very funny. These Zan meant
-for Miss Miller as a joke.
-
-Her next idea was to collect a number of empty
-tin cans and melt off the jagged rims left when the
-covers had been cut out. A few perforations were
-made in the bottoms for drainage, and the sides
-painted an ivory white with black stencilled designs
-on them. Some of these were Egyptian figures copied
-from ancient friezes shown in a book. When these
-cans were filled with soil and a plant inserted, the
-effect was very artistic and at little expense.
-
-May Randall, who had won the prize for carpentry,
-made small boxes with leather hinges and brass-studded
-corners. She burnt designs on covers and
-sides and touched up points here and there with red
-or blue paint, then varnished the whole surfaces.
-These were meant for wampum, badges, or other
-Woodcraft trinkets.
-
-Another new member selected pottery for her gifts.
-She made original designs and when these were finished
-and touched up with black paint and bright
-colours they were very artistic.
-
-Another girl made fire-boards. She used the oval
-bread-boards sold for five cents each in the five and
-ten cent stores. The ovals were sawed in the centre,
-giving two sections for each. Four half-ovals were
-hinged to a square board so they would fold down
-when not in use. The rounded sides were then decorated
-with symbols of the Winds and Fire. When
-varnished and completed, they proved very fine and
-useful.
-
-Frances used the birch bark she had saved from the
-Alpine camp. Trays, jewel-boxes, waste-baskets, picture
-frames, work-boxes, and other ideas were carried
-out. The birch bark was soaked in hot water until
-soft, then shaped as desired. The lacing of edges
-was made of raffia also softened in water. Where
-strong lacing was necessary several strands of raffia
-or grass were braided together and used. The sides
-of the ornaments made were decorated in sepia paint,
-representing forest scenes or Woodcraft designs.
-
-Other unique and lovely ideas were expressed individually
-by each girl, so that not only was a great
-variety of gifts ready for the event, but the manufacturers
-had had experience in handicraft and were
-able to count the work for *coups* in Woodcraft.
-
-The time had passed rapidly while everyone was at
-work on pleasant and absorbing occupation, and the
-last Wednesday preceding the Friday they expected
-to start for the Hallow E’en camp had arrived. That
-noon, Miss Miller sent word to each girl that an important
-letter would be considered at a special meeting
-in the gymnasium directly after school in the afternoon.
-
-At such a time no one dreamed of being late or
-absent, so Miss Miller was able to read the letter she
-had received a short time after classes were dismissed.
-
-----
-
- “Respected Members of Wako Tribe: I have
- watched with deep interest the manufacturing, by your
- Chief, of certain objects meant to celebrate a Hallow
- E’en party. I also heard that no particular place
- had yet been determined upon for this important
- camp-meeting, so I hasten to solve the problem for
- you.
-
- “My family and a few friends expect to visit
- Wickeecheokee Farm this week-end and enjoy a nutting
- party in the woods. If Wako Tribe will accept
- our invitation, they can camp on the Bluff for this
- week-end and join us in our out-door fun. Mrs.
- Baker and the other guests will occupy the house, so
- you will not be disturbed in your Woodcraft meetings
- if you desire privacy.
-
- “The autos will leave our house at four o’clock
- Friday afternoon. Please reply at once.
-
- | “Cordially yours,
- |
- | “Frederick Baker, M.D.”
-
-Long before Miss Miller concluded reading this
-communication subdued sounds of joy and excitement
-were heard from the girls, and the moment it was
-finished Jane cried:
-
-“Did you know anything of this, Zan?”
-
-“Cross my heart—not a thing!” declared Zan,
-earnestly.
-
-“Did you know, Miss Miller?” questioned several
-girls, turning to the Guide.
-
-“Not until Monday, when I was asked over the
-’phone what I thought of the plan, and I said it was
-splendid.”
-
-“I s’pose we will accept, eh?” asked Anne Mason,
-anxiously.
-
-“Accept! Well I guess yes!” retorted Jane.
-
-“Chump Mark for Jenny!” laughed Elena.
-
-“Humph! Slang is imperative under such exciting
-conditions!” replied Zan, glancing sympathetically at
-Jane.
-
-“Never mind that talk—wasting good time—hurry
-up and compose an answer to the doctor’s letter!”
-cried Hilda.
-
-“I’ll take it home and hand it to Dad to save time,”
-added Zan.
-
-“I suppose Elizabeth will go with us—shall I telephone
-Mrs. Remington and find out?” asked the
-Guide.
-
-“If Fiji and Bob and Jack Hubert are going—as
-I s’pose they are—we ought to invite Fred and Billy
-Remington, too,” suggested Zan.
-
-“I think your mother has already attended to that.
-We will find out,” and Miss Miller took up the receiver.
-
-.. ---File: 240.png
-
-Then the girls learned that everyone at Mossy Crest
-had been invited, but Mrs. Remington had an important
-Woodcraft Council that Friday night and
-could not accept, but Elizabeth was delighted to go
-with Wako Tribe.
-
-“Now that’s settled we can say ‘yes’ to the invitation,”
-said Jane, impatiently.
-
-It took but a few moments to write the note to Dr.
-Baker and then the girls chattered excitedly again.
-
-“Got everything ready for the Gift Ceremony?”
-asked Zan.
-
-“I have,” came from many, and “Most done,”
-from others.
-
-And from the Guide: “I followed an original idea
-that promises to give some fun but will not be a part
-of your ceremony. No need to ask questions of me,
-as I do not intend to speak of my secret until the time
-arrives.”
-
-Thus warned beforehand, the girls giggled but asked
-no questions that would bring down a significant
-silence upon them.
-
-Friday was a perfect October day and at four
-o’clock sharp the cars filled with happy Woodcrafters
-left Dr. Baker’s house. The ride through the lovely
-country glowing in Autumn colours, and the mingled
-odours of drying hay, woodsy scents, and late flowers
-made everyone feel good.
-
-Arrived at Wickeecheokee Farm, Mrs. Baker and
-the party of boys were left at the house while the
-members of Wako Tribe continued on the road that
-ran over the Big Bridge and passed Bill Sherwood’s
-cottage. Here the Woodcrafters jumped out and
-started for the Bluff that could be plainly seen from
-the road.
-
-Bill and his wife, the resident farmers, welcomed
-the girls and the former declared: “Looks like the
-good old Summertime wid all you’se girls here
-again.”
-
-“Chump Mark for your slang, Bill!” laughed Zan.
-
-And genial Bill, not knowing what a Chump Mark
-meant, grinned and replied: “Ya’as, Miss San, it
-sure was a fine camp!”
-
-That night after dishes were cleared away, the boys
-brought the chestnuts they had found and everyone
-crowded about the glowing embers of the camp-fire
-and roasted the delicious nuts. Then the boys sang
-glee-songs and the girls told Folk Stories till time
-for bed.
-
-“Now don’t oversleep, girls,” shouted Fiji, as the
-boys followed Mrs. Baker away from the Bluff.
-
-“If you’re not ready to start when we call in the
-morning, we’ll just go on without you,” added Fred
-Remington.
-
-“We want to get bags and *bags* of chestnuts in the
-morning, ’cause we’ve got other things to do in the
-afternoon for the party to-morrow night,” explained
-Jack Hubert.
-
-“Oh say! Don’t talk as if we were the sleepy-heads
-that you boys are! Don’t we know *you*!”
-scorned Jane, as Zan and she exchanged glances which
-said as plain as could be: “Trying to pose with their
-sisters present!”
-
-And so it proved. The girls were ready and impatiently
-calling or signalling before the boys appeared
-on the trail coming through the woods from
-the farm-house.
-
-That morning a great harvest of hickory nuts and
-chestnuts was gathered and by the time the hunters
-were back at camp they were half-famished from the
-crisp, cold air and bracing exercise.
-
-Fiji had seen some rabbits during the morning, and
-the moment he was at the house began:
-
-“Mumsie, Fred brought his rifle and we’re going
-hunting this afternoon. The other little boys can do
-that work for you.”
-
-“Indeed you’re not! Rifle or no rifle, Fred is my
-guest and he will not use the fire-arm while I have
-anything to do about it.”
-
-“Oh pshaw, Mum! He knows everything about
-a gun! He and I won’t go near anyone else, and you
-know you can trust *me*!” coaxed Fiji.
-
-“Fred, get the rifle for me, please. I will return
-it when we get back to the city. I know too much
-about promises to be careful. I think it is perfectly
-safe for you to use the gun when you are with experienced
-hunters or alone, but not with a party of
-boys who never held a rifle in proper position before.
-This Winter I propose having the boys take lessons
-in a shooting gallery I know of, and then it will be
-different.”
-
-.. ---File: 243.png
-
-The wild dreams of bringing a deer or grizzly bear
-to camp, or at least a small harmless rabbit, vanished
-for Fiji. Consequently, he was moody when the other
-boys started out to gather the long creepers and
-branches of brilliant Autumn leaves meant to decorate
-the house for the evening’s entertainment.
-
-But the effect of invigorating air and scrambling
-over ledges of rock could not long keep anyone in a
-moody or sulky spell, and Fiji was the liveliest of the
-lively boys before he returned home laden with the
-Fall harvest of the woods.
-
-Mrs. Baker was invited to attend the afternoon
-Birthday Council, and at three o’clock the Chief
-opened the meeting with the usual prayer and other
-ceremonies. After Tally Reports were read, and
-*coups* awarded to some of the new members and a
-few of the old ones of the Band, the feature of the
-Council began.
-
-“O Chief!” commenced the Guide, standing and
-saluting Zan. “I suggest that we perform the Gift
-Ceremony of the Zuñi Indians in distributing our
-gifts. Mrs. Remington loaned me the sacred otter
-skin for this purpose and Elizabeth knows the rite by
-heart, so I propose that she act the principal part with
-Zan as second.”
-
-“How!” approved the Council members, so the
-Chief took up the tomtom.
-
-Sitting at one side of the Circle, dressed in her ceremonial
-robes, Zan beat the tomtom while Elizabeth,
-also gorgeously arrayed in beaded costume, representing
-Wako Tribe for that time, entered the Ring hop-stepping,
-and followed by the other members. As
-each girl passed the tomtom she paid tribute to the
-sacred instrument by an obeisance to the East for
-reverence, to the South, playfully, to the West with
-awe, and to the North for protection from all cold.
-Then they all sat in their places about the Council Fire
-to hear the Guide speak.
-
-“To-day the braves of Wako Tribe won a great
-victory. The warriors of another Tribe, dwelling in
-the camp made by White Men, over-slept and were
-late on the war-path. But my Braves, led by our
-great Chief, were ready with paint and weapons to
-fight the as yet unseen enemy.
-
-“With bags and baskets, we followed the trail which
-led to the sometime hidden chestnuts, or again some
-were found lying in ambush in the long wild grass.
-Many captives were made to bring back to camp for
-the fire and feast which celebrate the victory to-night.
-Hidden rascals, so surrounded by the sharp arrow
-points sticking from the chestnut burrs that we had
-many a finger-wound from them, were finally scalped—their
-burrs cracked open and the prisoners taken
-away.
-
-“Some of our warriors were struck on the head
-by falling shells from hickory trees where the nuts
-had grown and awaited this opportunity to drive away
-assailants. But with the very act of striking us with
-shells, they also burst open, fell to earth, and thus
-were captured.
-
-.. ---File: 245.png
-
-“We left many empty worthless shells on the battlefield,
-but the prisoners shall be roasted at our war-dance
-to-night!”
-
-As the Guide sat down a chorus of laughing
-“How’s!” came from the girls for the extemporaneous
-war-talk.
-
-At a signal sounded on the tomtom, Elizabeth came
-from the shelter of a huge tree-trunk and entered the
-Council Ring in solemn manner. She carried the
-Ceremonial Blanket which was upheld high with both
-hands in front of her. This blanket was spread out
-upon the ground, the four corners being four-square
-to the four imaginary corners of the earth and the
-four winds.
-
-Standing on the rear edge of the blanket, Elizabeth
-bowed to the East, then to the South, next to the
-West, and fourth to the North; last, to Wakanda and
-to Maka Ina.
-
-She then took the peace-pipe from the Chief and
-wafted its smoke to the four winds and placed the
-pipe on the blanket parallel to its front edge near
-the circle of Woodcrafters, and near the front edge
-of the blanket.
-
-The Chief then brought the Sacred Otter Skin and
-placed it over Elizabeth’s out-stretched hands. This
-was presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, then a
-magic circle was woven all about the outside of the
-blanket to ward off all evil spirits.
-
-This motion was done by waving the otter skin, as
-if swimming, holding it about two feet above the
-ground, being careful to keep the skin extended horizontally
-on top of the hands, which were held about
-eighteen inches apart. The circle woven, the otter
-skin was placed upon the blanket next to the pipe and
-parallel with it.
-
-The Chief then brought and presented to Elizabeth
-the bowl of Sacred Corn Meal. This was lifted up
-and presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, then corn
-meal was sprinkled on the pipe and otter skin, Elizabeth
-kneeling on the blanket and moving on her knees
-to accomplish this ceremony.
-
-“This magic circle now woven and complete may
-not be crossed by anyone holding evil intentions,” said
-Elizabeth solemnly.
-
-Now came the ceremony of distributing the gifts
-which were brought in baskets or upon large grass
-mats and left near the blanket where the Chief could
-reach them. As each gift was taken up, the Chief
-handed it to Elizabeth who called out the name written
-on the package. Then the receiver came up, bowed
-low before the blanket, and received the gift. It was
-then opened, admired, and gratefully acknowledged,
-before the recipient stepped backward to her seat in
-the Circle.
-
-When all the gifts were bestowed, Elizabeth bowed
-and lifted the sacred otter skin and placed it across
-the bowl of corn meal. Next the pipe was taken up
-and laid upon the otter skin and then all three were
-lifted in both hands and held high above her head as
-she moved backward on her knees to the rear edge
-of the blanket. There she rose to her feet and departed
-with the bowl, otter skin, and pipe.
-
-After many exclamations of delight, surprise, and
-thanks to the girls who had worked so well on the
-gifts, it was found that not one gift had been bestowed
-by Miss Miller. This was the proper time for the
-Guide to speak.
-
-“O Chief! If you and Elizabeth will accompany
-me to yon cabin I will see that my share of the entertainment
-is finished.”
-
-Wonderingly, the two girls went with the Guide
-and carried many suggestive packages from the cabin
-to the Council Ring. Miss Miller carried an enormous
-bundle, but no one could gain the slightest hint of its
-contents.
-
-Laughing at the curious faces of the girls watching
-as the strings were cut, the Guide unwrapped a red,
-white, and blue paper object that had a long bamboo
-handle protruding from its midst of rioting
-colours.
-
-“O Brother Warriors, what can it be?” laughed
-Zan, looking at the girls.
-
-“O Chief, no one but Wakanda can answer that
-question!” retorted Jane, creating a general laugh at
-her irreverent reply.
-
-“But Wakanda gave me the idea to make this and
-I hold the power to explain it,” said Miss Miller, rebukingly,
-even as she smiled at Jane’s retort.
-
-As she spoke she pushed down upon a wire and as
-the patriotic colours spread out lo! there appeared
-a giant umbrella in the American colours. The bamboo
-pole was the centre-rod and handle.
-
-“Goodness gracious me!” exclaimed Zan. “How
-under the sun did you ever get it so large and to work
-so easy?”
-
-“I took an ancient umbrella for a foundation and
-then bound on the extra reeds to the original ribs to
-make it longer and larger all round. Then I glued the
-paper on the tops,” explained the Guide.
-
-“It makes a great American shade for us,” giggled
-Elena.
-
-“Ought to be labelled ‘Made in America,’” added
-Jane.
-
-“But what I want to know is ‘Why-for and Where-for?’”
-said Nita.
-
-“I see that no one suspects the plot, so I will have
-to tell,” laughed Miss Miller, sticking the bamboo
-handle in a wooden block having a clamp to hold it
-upright—something like the tree holders at Christmas
-time. But this holder permitted the upper section of
-the block to swing around on a pivot fastened to the
-lower section-block.
-
-When the handle was securely fastened Miss Miller
-gave the huge umbrella a twirl to see if it worked
-well, and still the girls stood wondering what it all
-was for.
-
-“Now get busy, girls, and hand me the packages
-while I tie them on these sticks,” advised the Guide,
-attaching a small package as she spoke.
-
-“The heavy ones that will drag the ribs down too
-far we will spread on the grass and tie a card with
-the name of the owner on the stick instead of the
-bundle itself,” continued Miss Miller, as a large box
-was handed her.
-
-With many hands to help, the packages were soon
-in place, and then the Guide said:
-
-“We will all stand in a circle about the umbrella
-and as I swing it about we sing:
-
- | “Merrily in this Council Ring,
- | Dancing gayly as we sing,
- | What will this umbrella bring
- | When we change to hippety-hop
- | And our Chief calls out to stop?”
-
-“We can dance any step we like, but the moment
-I call out ‘Change!’ you all have to change your steps
-to a hippety-hop step; then when Zan calls out ‘Stop’
-you have to stop short where you are. I will call a
-name from my list and whoever is opposite that name
-removes it from the umbrella. If it happens to belong
-to the one removing it from the stick, well and good,
-but if the one who opens it is not the owner, she holds
-it up to view and calls out the name of the owner. At
-the same time she starts to run around the ring on
-the *outside*, and the owner to whom the package belongs
-must catch her. If she has not caught her in
-three rounds about the ring, the hunter pays a forfeit
-to secure the prize. At the end of our game we will
-redeem the forfeits.”
-
-“What an original game!” exclaimed May.
-
-.. ---File: 250.png
-
-“But so childish!” complained Eleanor.
-
-“Pity we haven’t more of the simple childlike pleasures,”
-added Mrs. Baker, who had overheard the
-remark.
-
-“Now then, girls—ready?” called the Guide, ignoring
-the criticism from Eleanor.
-
-“Yes—all ready!” called most of the girls.
-
-The umbrella was given a swift twirl and it spun
-around while the girls sang the rollicking verse, but
-Zan forgot to call “Change,” so they concluded the
-song and the umbrella still whirled, the paper packages
-flying out to the extreme end of the strings.
-
-Everyone jeered at Zan for forgetting to call, and
-she promised to do better next time. “I only did it
-that time to give you girls practise,” said she, laughingly.
-
-The chorus of denials might have deafened everyone
-had not the Guide shouted: “Now, once again,
-girls! If Zan makes a second mistake she pays two
-forfeits!”
-
-“How! How!” followed this agreeable statement,
-and the umbrella whirled again.
-
-“Change!” shouted Zan at the word, and some of
-the girls did change the step correctly while others
-were in doubt.
-
-“Here—a forfeit from each one of you!” demanded
-Zan, and the punishment made the game more
-exciting.
-
-“The next time the same one mistakes she pays
-double!” added Zan, placing the forfeits in a basket.
-But the girls were beginning to learn how it was
-played, and the first game ended with everyone laughing
-or jesting. Miss Miller had Mrs. Baker take a
-paper from a bag and read out a name.
-
-“Elena Marsh,” read Mrs. Baker.
-
-Everyone looked eagerly at the laden stick opposite
-her, and Jane called: “Here it is, in front of me.”
-
-“Jane removes it and runs about the circle with
-Elena after her,” added Miss Miller.
-
-Twice around the ring flew Jane, and Elena, fleet-footed,
-after her, until in the third round the pursuer
-caught up and held her captive.
-
-Great interest was shown as Elena opened the package
-and showed a small box of French pastels.
-
-“Oh!” sighed she in ecstasy, “I’ve wanted one of
-these ever since I was born!”
-
-Everyone laughed and Zan added: “I bet you
-daubed and designed through many incarnations before
-this present one.”
-
-“Come ahead, girls! I want to see if Miss Miller
-gave me a new riding-habit—I want one badly!”
-called Jane.
-
-So with laughing and merriment, the second whirl
-began.
-
-It happened to be Edith Remington’s name that was
-chosen, and the package stopped directly opposite the
-child, so with trembling fingers she untied the string
-and found a box of water-colours and all the accessories
-to work with.
-
-“Oh, Miss Miller, I’m so much obliged to you!”
-exclaimed the delighted little girl, making a quaint
-curtsey.
-
-The game continued, some claimants having to pay
-forfeits and some winning the award, until all were
-called out. The gifts were very appropriate for each
-one and afforded much pleasure; but Zan had a
-grievance.
-
-“Miss Miller, I think you’re real mean not to give
-us a chance to have something on the umbrella for
-you, too.”
-
-“That wasn’t my fault, Zan. I thought of the
-umbrella and made it, but your mother insisted upon
-buying the gifts. She brought them to the farm all
-wrapped and ready to distribute.”
-
-“It isn’t like mother to forget anyone—Mumsie,
-where is Miss Miller’s gift?” shouted Zan, as she
-saw her mother returning from the cabin.
-
-“Right here! It was so heavy it would have broken
-down the carefully built up umbrella, so I left it for
-the last gift.”
-
-The large flat package was handed to the Guide,
-who took it with amazement in her eyes, for she had
-not expected anything. Midst the laughter of her
-girls, the Guide carried the heavy parcel to the rustic
-table and began opening the outside paper.
-
-She found another well-tied paper covering within
-and tried to unknot the string. But it had to be cut,
-as it was so twisted and bound about the package.
-
-Inside this wrapper was still another, and Mrs.
-Baker cried: “That Fiji! I told him to wrap the
-box up carefully and I shouldn’t wonder but what he
-used as many papers as he does on April Fool’s
-Day!”
-
-After more than a dozen wrappers, each tied well
-and knotted with heavy twine, had been removed, the
-last paper was cut away. The Guide took out a
-japanned-tin box and upon opening it the Woodcrafters
-all said “Ah!”
-
-There was a complete set of pyrography tools, a
-roll of stencilled Woodcraft designs (made by Elizabeth
-Remington), and transfer paper, copying inks,
-etc.
-
-“Not an item forgotten—even a bottle of alcohol
-for the fuel!” cried Miss Miller, too surprised to
-remember to thank Mrs. Baker.
-
-The girls watched and smiled in sympathy, and
-suddenly, as the Guide remembered she had not expressed
-her gratitude, they all burst out laughing at
-her expense.
-
-After many apologies and profuse thanks, she
-added: “Such a teacher of morals and manners to
-these girls!”
-
-As usual, Nita was called upon to dance and the
-Storm Cloud was done so gracefully by her that the
-audience said she should be given an extra dish of
-ice-cream for dessert that night.
-
-When the forfeits had been paid off it was time
-to cook camp-supper. Before they were ready to sit
-and sup, however, the boys were heard shouting in
-the woods, and Miss Miller said:
-
-.. ---File: 254.png
-
-“Suppose we invite the boys to supper, as we are
-going to be their guests to-night at the house?”
-
-A merry group sat about the great flat rock that
-evening while Mrs. Baker and the Guide waited
-on the hungry Woodcrafters. The girls told about
-the umbrella and the boys of their mountain
-hike.
-
-The dishes cleared away, they all marched through
-the woods in the gloaming, and reached the house
-ready for more sport. Many exclamations of surprise
-and admiration came from the girls as they saw the
-way the boys had spent their afternoon.
-
-Brightly coloured foliage festooned the doors, window-casings,
-and pictures of the large living-room.
-Pumpkins shed subdued light from the candles within
-their grinning faces. Red peppers, golden corn on
-stalks, and tall grasses formed decorations in the
-corners of the room. Black paper witches, bats, and
-yowling cats swung from invisible threads from the
-beams of the ceiling, and many other Hallow E’en
-ideas were carried out.
-
-Regular Hallow E’en games were played at first,
-then Fred called for the Jack Horner Pie he had spied
-in the kitchen.
-
-“Well, then, help me carry it in,” laughed Mrs.
-Baker.
-
-Shortly they were seen carrying in the galvanized
-wash-tub that had been used for the pie-tin. A brown
-pie-crust fitted over the top of it, but no one knew
-what was under the crust.
-“How under the sun did you bake it?” wondered
-Zan.
-
-“That’s a culinary secret!” laughed Mrs. Baker.
-
-“Tell us, so we can enter the recipe in the Tally,”
-replied Elena, also laughing.
-
-“I made the pastry rather moist and rolled it out
-into a great sheet and placed it on the wooden bread-board.
-The oven was very hot and after the sheet
-of dough had been in it a few moments it baked and
-browned enough to spread it over the tub. I pinched
-down the edges to the tin, and there you are! Not
-to be eaten, however, for you will find it too
-pasty.”
-
-The strings that came up through the pie-crust led
-to objects hidden in the tub of flour. And as each
-player took a string to hold as his prize, every string
-was soon claimed. When the crust was broken and
-the prizes drawn from the flour, the players found
-many funny gifts. Great was the Bedlam when tin
-horns, rattles, and “crackers” began sounding everywhere.
-
-The young folks then played other games and ended
-with a peanut hunt that led and misled many hunters
-to every corner of the house in search of a hidden
-peanut.
-
-“It must be time for refreshments, Mumsie,” said
-Bob, at last.
-
-“All right, Son, call them all to the feast,” laughed
-Mrs. Baker.
-
-As the group of merry-makers sat about the room
-munching sandwiches, Jane said, “Mrs. Baker, tell
-us how you made these delicious fillings. We’ll write
-it down and make some too.”
-
-“I took a can of salmon and chopped it well with
-soft cream cheese. This I did at home and brought
-it here in a glass jar. It is very good on butter-thins,
-as you just said.
-
-“The speckled sandwich-fillings are made of cream
-cheese, chopped olives, a bit of pimento, and seasoning.
-Thin slices of dark rye bread are best for this
-filling.
-
-“Of course, you all know the walnut and fig filling—you
-simply chop nuts with cream cheese for the first
-kind, and chop figs, peanut butter, and a bit of rich
-cream for the second kind.” As Mrs. Baker concluded,
-another girl called out:
-
-“Tell us how you made this lemonade! I never
-tasted better.”
-
-“I ran the lemon peel through a meat-chopper with
-the lemon pulp. I use about one-quarter peel and the
-pulp of one lemon to the juice of every three lemons.
-If the juice of one orange and a lime is
-added to every ten lemons, it flavours the product
-much better. Sometimes a bit of Maraschino adds a
-peculiar flavour, but we never use it for the children.”
-
-The party ended with fortune-telling, with apple-parings,
-sailing walnut shells across the tub of water,
-risking noses and teeth at biting on swinging apples,
-and other familiar games.
-
-.. ---File: 257.png
-
-The next day being Sunday, the boys and girls
-hiked over the mountain-side and Zan pointed out to
-the others the place where the snake frightened the
-girls that Summer, and the road where Nita was
-caught in a thunder-storm.
-
-.. ---File: 258.png
-
-CHAPTER THIRTEEN—INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT
-===============================================
-
-November ushered itself in with cold and
-penetrating fogs, so that the girls found it
-pleasanter to hold meetings at each other’s houses or
-in the gymnasium, instead of out-of-doors. At the
-indoor meetings they learned the application of Woodcraft
-ideas and principles to meet their needs of everyday
-life.
-
-Miss Miller had them take up knitting for the
-soldiers and required them to do a certain stint every
-day. They also completed the bead bandings for their
-ceremonial costumes. Nita loaned the Guide the pattern
-for a dancing costume and each girl cut out, fitted,
-and made, of cheap cotton crêpe bloomers, blouse, and
-skirt for dancing.
-
-Besides designing belts, banding, and costumes, the
-girls began regular weekly lessons with Elizabeth as
-teacher, in sketching and designing. Elizabeth attended
-a New York School of Design and could tell
-the girls whatever she had learned. Many pretty patterns
-in cross-stitch and other work were thus made
-and applied to use.
-
-.. figure:: images/wood-260.jpg
- :align: center
-
- ZAN’S CEREMONIAL COSTUME.
-
-“I’m going to ask Dad to send me to school next
-Winter,” declared Jane, who enjoyed the work immensely.
-
-“And Elena, Nita, and May ought to go, too,”
-added Miss Miller, admiring the dainty work done
-by these girls.
-
-One afternoon the Guide said: “Girls, have any
-of you entered blue prints in your Tally Books?”
-
-No one had, so she added: “Just as soon as Spring
-comes with its first flowers, I want you to start a blue
-print album. I think it is one of the most interesting
-and instructive of pursuits. I have a book that I completed
-during a trip through the Canadian Northwest,
-and I wouldn’t sell those blue prints for any price—they
-are so beautiful and the wild flowers so interesting.”
-
-The Saturdays during November were spent in New
-York, the Guide taking the girls to the splendid public
-libraries; lectures illustrated with motion pictures were
-given by white men who had spent many years with
-the Indians; and the unusual series of talks given at
-the Museum on Central Park West and 79th Street
-proved most interesting. Here also the Woodcrafters
-saw life-sized groups of Indians in wax, the individual
-costumes and customs of each Tribe being faithfully
-depicted by the clothes, items of camping outfits, and
-other things. In these exhibitions the girls found
-many suggestions that they could apply to pottery
-work, bead work, and other things pertaining to Indian
-life.
-
-One afternoon, while visiting the large library on
-the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Miss
-Miller said: “Who knows where the first public
-library was founded—and when?”
-
-No one knew, so the Guide told them.
-
-“The first on record—there may have been private
-collections then as now, but it was not recorded—was
-founded at Athens by Hipparchus in
-526 B. C.
-
-“The second of note was founded at Alexandria
-by Ptolemy Philadelphus, but it was burnt when Julius
-Caesar set fire to Alexandria in 47 B. C. It is said
-that 400,000 rare and valuable books were destroyed
-in that disaster.
-
-“A second library was formed from the remains
-of the books in this first one, and this second was
-reputed to have held over 700,000 volumes, but this
-was captured by the Saracens who used the books for
-fuel instead of working to gather wood.
-
-“In 1446 A. D. the next large library was formed
-and from that time on collections of important books
-were made and offered to the public for free
-use.”
-
-Such comments by Miss Miller always made the
-visits to public buildings very interesting to the girls,
-who acquired a general knowledge of things worth
-knowing in this manner.
-
-One Saturday before the weather was too cold, they
-all went to Bedloe’s Island, now renamed Liberty
-Island, in New York Harbour. Here they climbed the
-endless round of narrow iron steps until they regretted
-having started the ascent. But there was no turning
-back, as the descent was on the other side and no one
-could go down when once started up.
-
-Having wearily climbed to the crown of the head in
-the Liberty Goddess Statue, they were disappointed
-at not finding the view any better than that seen from
-the balcony where the elevator stopped, but which was
-wonderful from that vantage point. From the Statue
-they walked about the Island and then took the small
-boat back to Battery Park.
-
-The Aquarium was visited next, and here the girls
-found many odd and interesting fish. One funny fish,
-grey in colour and about fifteen inches in length, kept
-bumping his nose against the glass side as if to come
-through. At each bump he slid back in the water
-and tried again.
-
-“‘Constant dripping wears the rock away,’” said
-Zan, watching him come back again and again to
-strike the glass.
-
-“He is only playing tag with his nose,” explained
-Jane.
-
-“But why should he always keep his mouth open
-half-way, as if he had difficulty in breathing?” asked
-Nita.
-
-“Maybe he has—that constant bumping on his nose
-will cause a swelling and close up the nostrils,” ventured
-Elena.
-
-“Oh, I have it!” cried Zan, nodding her head
-vigourously. “The poor thing has asthma from that
-damp atmosphere! He gasps through his open mouth
-and tries to break down the screen of glass to get
-more air!”
-
-This explanation brought a laugh not only from
-the girls who crowded about the glass case, but from
-some observers who also stood watching the queer
-fish.
-
-Just before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Remington invited
-Wickeecheokee Band to spend the week-end in camp
-in the woods back of the house. Fred’s Tribe would
-also camp there, and it was thought a good time to
-hold contests between the boys and the girls.
-
-The girls hailed the treat with many varied expressions,
-but the days immediately preceding the
-Holidays grew so cold that most mothers objected
-to having the girls sleep out in the open.
-
-“They can camp in the Council House,” said Mrs.
-Remington over the telephone, when Miss Miller told
-her of the trouble.
-
-“Oh, yes, yes!” cried everyone at that.
-
-Beaded Ceremonial Costumes were finished but had
-not yet had an opportunity to be worn, so these were
-packed in the suit-cases with head-bands, moccasins,
-*coup*-sticks, and many other fine articles of Indian
-costume.
-
-Wednesday was a beautiful day but so cold that
-Dr. Baker said he was relieved to know the girls would
-be in the Council House at night. The boys refused
-to be so molly-coddled, they averred, and so they
-camped out in the woods. However, Mrs. Remington
-whispered to the girls the next morning that Fred had
-made use of two Sibley stoves brought from Maine
-for camp use.
-
-“There will be skating on the lake if we have another
-day and night of this cold,” said Mr. Remington,
-rubbing his ears to keep up the circulation as he
-stood in front of the Council House early Thursday
-morning.
-
-“I say, girls! Want your picture took? Get
-into your robes and pose out in the sun, if you
-do!” shouted Elizabeth, from the porch of the
-house.
-
-It did not take long for the Woodcrafters to change
-to their Woodcraft costumes and when they ran over
-to the group of pine trees where Elizabeth stood waiting,
-they found the boys had decorated the place with
-totems, shields, and *coup*-sticks to create a genuine
-Woodcraft atmosphere.
-
-Zan’s costume, with its picturisation of the camp
-on the farm, was pronounced the handsomest of all,
-although Elena’s ran a close second. So these two
-girls were selected for individual pictures which could
-be used in the Tally Book of the Tribe. Zan held
-Elizabeth’s *coup*-stick, her own only having a few
-feathers on it, and the former being well-decorated
-by marks of achievement, for Elizabeth was a zealous
-Woodcrafter.
-
-Thanksgiving dinner was not to be served until four
-that afternoon, and it was only ten when many of
-the campers began to wish it was late afternoon. Mrs.
-Remington was a perfect hostess and, having five
-healthy children, she suspected the gnawings under
-many belts. Hence her next suggestion:
-
-“Fred, why don’t you boys invite the girls to dinner
-at your camp in the woods?”
-
-“How!” eagerly chorused the girls.
-
-“Why, so we will, if the girls will bring the grub
-over from the barn. We haven’t enough to go around
-such a crowd.”
-
-Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Remington added:
-“If I was a Black Bear, I’d scout for victuals and not
-expect the squaws to bring their own feast!”
-
-Fred understood his mother only too well, and he
-quickly took the hint, calling Fiji to help him. In
-another moment the two had disappeared in the woods
-and were seen no more for some time. The others
-walked slowly back to the Council House to change
-the beaded costumes to camp clothes again.
-
-About the time the girls were ready to follow the
-hosts to the camp in the woods, Fred and Fiji were
-seen crossing the field, carrying heavy baskets on their
-arms and bags suspended over their shoulders.
-
-“They must have scouted, Mother!” laughed Mr.
-Remington.
-
-And “mother” nodded understandingly and laughed
-also.
-
-At camp the Woodcrafters found Fred and Fiji
-unpacking boiled ham, potatoes, pickles and preserves,
-bread, a pie, and other edibles. In the bag that had
-been slung over Fiji’s back was a stone crock filled
-with delicious cookies still warm.
-
-.. ---File: 267.png
-
-“There girls, the cookies will hold you together
-while we roast potatoes and get the lunch ready,” said
-Fred.
-
-“Um-m! I want this recipe from someone to put
-in our book. These are the best cookies I ever tasted,”
-said Elena.
-
-“Someone can tell you the recipe right now, Elena.
-It happens to be my own that Mrs. Remington tried,”
-laughed Miss Miller.
-
-“Tell us, then, while I write it down,” urged Elena,
-with a pencil and scrap of paper ready for use.
-
-“To one-half cup of butter I use one-half cup of
-lard and one-half cup of sugar. Two eggs, one level
-tablespoon each of ginger, cinnamon, and soda, with
-enough flour to roll out the dough easily.
-
-“Cream the butter and lard together first, then add
-the sugar gradually. When the eggs are well beaten
-I add them. The spices and soda are mixed with two
-cups of flour and sifted into the batter. I use enough
-flour so the dough will roll out well. Cut them with
-a biscuit cutter and bake in a quick oven. Last of all,
-lock safely away in a secret vault where children cannot
-follow the scent and eat them up before the cook
-has washed the tins that the cookies were baked
-in.”
-
-The girls laughed at the last part of the recipe and
-Fred said it was the most important if cookies were
-to be kept on hand.
-
-After the stolen provender was thoroughly enjoyed
-by the hosts and guests in camp, the boys entertained
-the girls with relay races, Deer Hunts, Bat Ball, and
-a Bear Spearing Contest.
-
-Just as the bear was killed by Fred, the gong
-sounded from the house calling the people to the
-Thanksgiving Dinner—the greatest contest of the day,
-Billy said.
-
-The wide rear verandah of the Remington house
-was inclosed in glass in the Winter, and being ten
-feet wide and extending across the entire back of the
-house, it afforded an excellent place for the dinner.
-The table, made of four fifteen-inch-wide planks
-eighteen feet in length, placed on wooden horses, was
-covered with two long table-cloths. Benches made of
-wide planks also resting on boxes provided enough
-seats for all.
-
-Mose, the family fixture who plays so important a
-rôle in the “Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island” (the
-island being the Remingtons’ Summer resort off the
-coast of Maine), bossed the serving of the dinner.
-He had been given charge of Mary, the upstairs girl,
-and Katy the kitchen maid, and these, with Anna
-the governess, proved efficient to wait on the hungry
-horde of children.
-
-Strange, however, that after that dinner not one
-of the Woodcrafters felt like dancing an Indian War
-Dance to entertain others!
-
-During the night the temperature grew warmer and
-the sky clouded over with snow-clouds. Early Friday
-morning a very light snow began falling, but grew
-heavier until noon, when great gusts of snow were
-swept across the valley at every fresh hurricane of
-wind. All day Friday and most of Friday night, the
-snow continued falling, but the Woodcrafters cared
-little about that when they were having such a jolly
-time indoors. They were entertaining the Black Bears
-in the Council House, and many a wild shout echoed
-up through the loft, as a Bear caught a Wako Triber
-in a war-dance.
-
-Before ten o’clock the boys were summoned to go
-to camp, and much against their inclinations to leave
-the cosy fire in the chimney-place of the Council
-House, they started out in the driving snow
-to plough over the field to their cold and cheerless
-camp.
-
-In the early morning, however, the sun sparkled on
-the glistening snow and the Woodcraft girls were
-awakened by a fusillade of snow-balls striking the
-side of the barn, some of the soft snow falling through
-the opened windows and scattering over the faces of
-the sleepy girls.
-
-They were soon up and dressed and out-doors to
-return the cold welcome given by the Black Bears.
-The snow-balls flew back and forth rapidly, until Fred
-had an idea.
-
-“I say! What’s the matter with having a regular
-fight! Build a fort and choose up sides?”
-
-“Down on the flats by the road-side!” added Billy,
-pointing to the low-land that fronted the lawns by the
-private road.
-
-“Just the thing!” exclaimed Fiji.
-
-.. ---File: 270.png
-
-“Will you girls help?” asked Jack Hubert.
-
-The girls looked at the Guide for approval, and she,
-seeing the gleam of battle shining from those many
-eyes, laughed.
-
-“No ice to be packed in the balls, remember!”
-warned the Guide, trying to be severe.
-
-“Of course not!” agreed Bobby Baker.
-
-“And no hard-packed snow, either. Just the soft
-feathery kind that gets down your back and blinds
-your eyes,” added Miss Miller, knowing well how to
-disguise her advice and make it sound enticing to
-the boys.
-
-It took full two hours to complete the great fort
-and build refuges like pockets in the snow-wall, where
-daring scouts venturing away from the army could
-find temporary protection. While the boys were building
-the fort the girls rolled great piles of snow ammunition
-for both sides to use when the battle should
-rage.
-
-Then came the commandeering of the two sides.
-Fred gallantly offered his services to Wako Tribe,
-while Fiji Baker undertook to command the boys’ side.
-As there were but eleven girls and seventeen boys,
-some of the surplus male contingent had to come over
-to join the girls’ side.
-
-Then began preliminary tactics, followed by an engagement
-of the main armies. This was followed by
-the most active fighters running back and forth to
-plant a well-aimed shot whenever they discovered an
-unprotected head or body for a target.
-The battle waged for more than an hour, first one
-side winning a victory, then the other side, but at
-last Fiji’s side showed signs of defeat, and soon was
-retreating at full speed. The shots fell so fast and
-furious at that, that the boys were almost routed when
-Fiji made a grand rally.
-
-To have it said that a lot of girls were victorious
-over the Black Bears or Grey Foxes was not to be
-thought of, so the General spurred his fighters back
-again to try and win the lost trench, but Fred was
-a fine general, too, and he was quick to take advantage
-of the other’s mistake in leaving the protection of the
-fort.
-
-In less than half an hour’s time after Fiji rallied
-his men, the fort was demolished, most of Fiji’s men
-were prisoners, and the girls were triumphant! The
-captives then had to submit to having their faces well
-washed in the soft cold snow.
-
-That was a glorious day and one to be remembered,
-for not only were merry faces as red as Baldwin apples
-and hands swollen and purple from handling much
-snow, but the Remington larder suffered from such
-secret raids that the cook finally stumped up to the
-library to “give notice.”
-
-Mose intercepted her, however, and tried to pacify
-her with the news that the visitors would soon go
-home, and “anyway, Thanksgivin’ onny comes once
-a year, Maria!”
-
-“Agh! G’wan! Don’t Oi know this fam’ly? It’s
-foriver havin’ comp’ny an’ eatin’ me out av iverything
-Oi cook! It’s cook, *cook*, *COOK* aul the toime an’
-niver a crumb to eat!” declared Maria.
-
-“But just think, Maria, how soon this thing will
-have to stop. The high cost of livin’ and the laws
-made by the President won’t let us eat much anny
-more, an’ you’ll have an easy time, then,” said Mose,
-trying to placate the angry cook.
-
-“An’ it’s good wages an’ plenty of my friends to
-visit me to tay,” said Maria, thoughtfully, so Mose
-knew he had won a different kind of battle than the
-one fought on the Flats with snow.
-
-After a red-hot luncheon that partly thawed out
-the half-frozen warriors, Mrs. Remington asked if
-they would like to take a sleigh-ride in a great farmer’s
-sleigh that afternoon. The man called twice a week
-to deliver eggs, butter, and chickens from his farm
-some miles in the country, and would be glad to have
-the extra fee offered for driving a party of young
-folks on a joy-ride.
-
-That evening was spent in quiet ways, as everyone
-felt weary and ready for bed the moment it could
-reasonably be suggested.
-
-The rest of the visit was devoted to indoor pastimes,
-as a thaw set in and made the ground too wet and
-muddy for any games or fun on the lawn.
-
-Then came the time for good-byes and the Woodcrafters
-were carried away, leaving a sense of loneliness
-with the family where they had had such a good
-time.
-
-December came in with much wind and snow so
-that all hope of week-end camps was at low ebb. But
-the girls found plenty of work to do and the applicants
-for the second Band were ready to qualify, and attention
-had to be paid to this important matter.
-
-Most of the girls applying for membership were
-so anxious to belong to Wako Tribe that it seemed
-hard to deny any one of them. But the rules in the
-Manual were to be followed and some had to be left
-out. Hence the choosing of the crowd of girls that
-had asked for admission was to be done by drawing
-lots.
-
-The names of the girls were written on slips of
-paper and these were folded up into small cubes, then
-shaken well in a covered tin. The Guide drew forth
-the first ten papers and these were the ones drawn
-to form the second Band—Suwanee, it was called.
-
-The ten girls selected were delighted, but the others
-half cried with bitter disappointment, so that the Guide
-agreed to ask Mrs. Baker to start a new Band for them
-which would eventually grow into a Tribe of its own.
-And this promise soothed the wounded hearts of the
-unfortunate ones.
-
-Although the improvement in Eleanor Wilbur had
-been so slow that none of her daily associates had
-noticed it, still it was constantly going on, so that when
-Ethel Clifford returned from the Californian trip she
-exclaimed at the great change in the girl.
-
-“Why, Miss Miller, it doesn’t seem possible!
-Really, can’t you see the improvement?” said the girl.
-
-“Now that you mention some small things, I can
-see where she has been helped, but I almost gave up
-in despair several times, and I’d rather you would not
-let her hear of this conversation as she is not ‘out
-of the woods’ yet, by any means,” said Miss Miller.
-
-Nevertheless, it was as Ethel had said: there was
-a change for the higher and better life that was making
-an impression in Eleanor’s character and desires, and
-these in time would overcome her former weaknesses.
-
-That Winter, needle-craft was taken up and many
-practical as well as beautiful things were made by the
-girls. The Christmas-tide gave each one plenty to do,
-as they planned to make all their gifts this year with
-as little cost in money as possible. And these gifts
-were all beautiful and artistic, as well as sensible and
-useful articles.
-
-Not a mother or father of these girls but felt proud
-to show the gifts made by their daughters that Christmas,
-and many a parent thanked Miss Miller for the
-patience and time she had devoted to the Woodcrafters
-to bring them to this point in their education and improvement
-of character.
-
-In January the Guide suggested that an entirely
-new departure be taken up before Spring.
-
-“I didn’t think there was anything more on earth
-that we could learn,” said May, laughing.
-
-“Now that we have exhausted all the foolishness,
-maybe we will start on something worth while,” said
-Eleanor.
-
-“Just what I have in mind, Eleanor. I shall have
-you all start practical and cumbersome work this
-time,” smiled Miss Miller, but to the eager questions
-of the girls, she maintained strict silence, merely
-saying:
-
-“‘Sufficient unto the day’—then you’ll see what
-I have in mind for you.”
-
-.. ---File: 276.png
-
-CHAPTER FOURTEEN—WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK
-======================================
-
-“Girls, how many are willing to start making
-a tent?” said the Guide, at the next meeting
-in the gymnasium.
-
-“A tent! Good gracious!” exclaimed Zan, while
-the other girls echoed their Chief’s amazement.
-
-“Easy as hemming a towel, if you know how,”
-laughed Miss Miller.
-
-“It sounds like a stupendous work, but I suppose
-Miss Miller will explain it so that a child like Teddy
-Remington can sit down and make one every day,”
-laughed Jane.
-
-“If you will try I will order the material to-day
-and show you how to begin the work,” urged the
-Guide.
-
-“All right, go ahead! I’m willing to sew my fingers
-to the bone if you say so,” sighed Zan, who detested
-sewing.
-
-The other girls laughed and Miss Miller immediately
-took up the telephone receiver and called up a department
-store. Her conversation showed that she had
-already priced materials and had all information at
-hand to start the tents without delay.
-
-“Now, then, the stuff will be here Monday morning and
-we can start any time you like. We will allow
-fifteen yards of stuff for each tent. Four of you can
-work on one, for the completed tent will accommodate
-four cots. There being enough girls to work on five
-tents, I have ordered the material for five.”
-
-Once launched on this unusual task, the girls felt
-a certain pride in saying, “We are making our own
-tents for camp, you know,” and when they heard the
-large bundle of canvas had arrived they were eager
-to work.
-
-“First I will cut two strips of the goods, each strip
-being thirteen feet long. Then lap the selvage of
-one side over the other, about a quarter of an inch,
-and sew it down firmly with back-stitching. If we
-had a machine it would be better still. There must
-be a double row of stitching in case one row breaks
-in a strain or sudden yank.
-
-“Now we will spread the whole piece out flat on
-the floor and fold over each end crosswise of the long
-strip toward the centre, and about two feet three
-inches from each end.
-
-“These seams must be stitched or double-seamed
-on the folds all the way down each fold, about three
-or four inches in from the outer edge of the fold.
-As this will be the place where the tent-ropes are
-fastened, you can stitch it over and over four or five
-times, for it will have considerable strain come on it.
-
-“The two unfinished ends of the strips will then
-have a narrow hem which will complete the roof and
-sides of the tent.
-”Cut the rest of the cloth into two strips about two
-feet and seven inches long for the front and back
-ends of the tent. Each of these is to be cut into two
-pieces with a slanting cut running from a side two
-feet one inch at one end to a point two feet one inch
-on the other side.
-
-“The sharp pointed corners are cut off by folding
-over the cloth three inches from the edge and by cutting
-the first slanting edge. You can save these pieces
-to use for patches when you reinforce the roof at the
-ends of the ridge-pole.
-
-“Now lay the two pieces together and lap so the
-points at the top are in the same position. Stitch down
-one selvage for a length of two feet and then straight
-across to the other selvage, and up to the top again.
-
-“The section left loose is for a door-flap and tapes
-are to be sewed at places a foot from the bottom and
-also two feet up from the bottom. Hem each end of
-bottom and then sew the edges of the sides and slanting
-top to the sides and roof of the tent-body.
-
-“For the ropes, you have to cut holes about half
-an inch in diameter right through the folds you stitched
-down on each side of the roof section. These holes
-can be bound or button-holed with a string, or those
-who prefer can use metal eyelets.
-
-“You will need about eight feet of tent-rope for
-each pole, and a loop of rope should be sewed at the
-bottom of the tent below each hole to hold down the
-sides.
-
-“When the tent is completed it should be raised
-between two straight tree trunks about five or six feet
-high, or two poles about the same height. A pole
-about six feet long will answer for the ridge-pole.
-When these are up, drive some pegs slant-ways into
-the ground about three feet away from each side of
-the tent, to fasten the ropes to, and then drive more
-pegs slant-ways for the loops of rope to slip over
-and hold firm.
-
-“Now you will have a neat little tent ready for
-camping, but two important things still remain to be
-done—can anyone tell me what they are?” asked Miss
-Miller, as she concluded reading the directions she had
-written down on a paper.
-
-The girls thought earnestly for a time, but no one
-seemed to grasp the need of anything else. Finally
-the Guide said:
-
-“What would happen in case of a heavy rain-storm?”
-
-“Oh, we must dig a trench about the outside for
-rain!” cried Zan, suddenly realising this important
-factor in camping.
-
-“Yes, and a floor must be laid to keep us dry from
-the damp ground!” added Jane.
-
-“I had in mind the gutter for rainwater, but the
-floor is an important detail, too. I have a second item
-that is as important as either of the others, though,”
-continued Miss Miller.
-
-“Miss Miller,” now said Elizabeth Remington, who
-was visiting the Tribe that afternoon, “If you select
-a spot high and dry on top of a knoll or hill where the
-sides carry water down away from your tent, you will
-not need to trench the circle to draw off rain from the
-ground where your tent stands. It is a natural water-shed.”
-
-“Ah, I see Elizabeth is a more experienced camper
-than I am, and I admit that she is better informed
-than I in this case,” said the Guide, bowing.
-
-“Another good plan, Miss Miller, is to select a
-place where the sun can shine in in the morning and dry
-out dampness from the cots and inside of the tent.
-In case you can’t find a place with a natural water-shed
-in the ground, then a trench must be dug about
-a foot wide and nine inches deep, according to the
-size of your tent. I am figuring on this size tent.
-This trench should be led away from the doorway just
-as a leader on a roof carries the water from the building.
-Also dig a canal for some distance away from
-the tent to keep the water from backing up when there
-are sudden heavy showers. Otherwise, your place will
-be flooded from the over-flow of the trench.”
-
-“Fine! Tell us some more, Elizabeth,” said the
-Guide.
-
-“Well, mother has experimented and found that
-in tents made of such thin stuff as you have here, or
-with duck or ticking, it is advisable to water-proof it
-before using in camp.”
-
-“That was the second point I wanted the girls to
-find out and add to the rules,” said Miss Miller,
-glad to hear the visitor was so well-versed in this
-work.
-“Oh, have Betsy tell us how to do it!” cried several
-girls.
-
-“I have heard but forgotten. Now I’ll get mother
-to write down the rules and bring it to you another
-time,” said Elizabeth, sorry she could not oblige the
-Woodcrafters.
-
-“And if anyone here wishes to know the secret
-before our next meeting, let her read Edward Stewart
-White’s ‘Forest,’ or Seton’s ‘Woodcraft Book,’ or
-the ‘Boy Scout Manual,’,” added the Guide.
-
-“They also explain how to make tepees, Miss
-Miller,” said Elizabeth.
-
-“Yes, and a tepee is simpler to make than a tent,
-but this style tent is much roomier and so serviceable.”
-
-That meeting adjourned very promptly as the girls
-were not as eager to remain late sewing on heavy
-material as they were when there was dancing or
-singing.
-
-But the tents were completed in time, and very proud
-the Woodcrafters felt of the great achievement.
-
-During January, Miss Miller took them to many
-out-of-town points of interest. Almost every Saturday
-was spent somewhere where the girls learned
-many new historical facts, or were able to place incidents
-heard of in connection with the place visited.
-
-Thus, they visited Edgar Allan Poe’s cottage and
-the old Revolutionary Mansions left in certain localities
-of New York.
-
-They took the Hudson Tube to Fulton Street,
-thence the Broadway subway to 2O7th Street. Here
-they took a cross-town car to Fordham Road and
-walked north along the Concourse to Poe Park. The
-cottage where Poe lived and wrote many of his famous
-poems is standing here, and directly opposite the cottage
-is a bust of Poe, erected on the centenary of
-his birth, January 19th, 1909.
-
-Another trip that cost very little and was most interesting
-was a visit to Governor’s Island. The boat
-left the Battery, and on the Island they visited the
-Military Museum, the Military Prison, the Abandoned
-Fort, and the Aviation Station. An aeroplane rose
-and practised even while the Tribe watched it from
-the Field.
-
-Another Saturday, the Guide started them early in
-the morning and they visited Sing Sing, watching the
-men at work at their trades and seeing the wonderful
-law and discipline maintained there. On the way back
-from Ossining, they trolleyed to Dobbs’ Ferry and
-visited the old Washington Headquarters there. It
-has been purchased and restored to its original interesting
-state by a loyal American Patriot, who discovered
-in time that a brewery was negotiating to
-purchase the estate and turn it into a road-house.
-Thanks to the generous Patriot, such a desecration
-was spared the Nation!
-
-One of the outings included visits to historical
-places in Brooklyn, and the girls were surprised to
-find many relics of the Revolutionary period still in
-good order in various sections of this city.
-
-Beginning with February, Mrs. Remington expressed a
-wish to visit a Council at the Gymnasium
-and suggest some work to the girls. They immediately
-replied with an enthusiastic invitation for her to visit
-them Friday evening.
-
-After preliminaries were disposed of, Mrs. Remington
-addressed the Tribe.
-
-“Now that you girls have your two Bands in good
-standing and have a Charter from the League
-authorising you to be established as Wako Tribe,
-your next step should be to organise a Little
-Lodge.
-
-“It behooves a first-class Tribe in good standing
-to start and supervise a Little Lodge as soon as is
-reasonable. These little ones can range in age from
-three to twelve, and are called ‘Brownies.’ They
-usually are the sisters and brothers or friends of the
-Big Lodge members. Thus the little children are early
-taught to be good citizens—as Woodcraft teaches
-everyone that.
-
-“With the affectionate help from older girls, and
-the association with and experience from Big Lodges,
-these Brownies soon acquire an aptness for the things
-taught their elders. My own little ones, Billy, Edith,
-and Teddy, have acquired all they know to-day from
-watching us at home, or mimicking the Woodcraft
-things they see accomplished by my Tribe, or the
-Black Bears.
-
-“I have been thinking that my three children, who
-are not yet twelve, can join your Little Lodge and be
-of great help to you in successfully founding a Brownie
-Band of your Tribe. I asked them what they thought
-of it, and they are delighted with the prospect.”
-
-The Woodcraft girls heartily applauded this idea
-and Miss Miller thought it a splendid suggestion. She
-saw the great possibilities it would offer the girls to
-train themselves in patience, sacrifice, and many other
-qualities that make for good womanhood.
-
-In an aside to Mrs. Remington she whispered:
-“Nothing like the responsibility of children to bring
-out dormant strength of character in a girl!”
-
-“Exactly! That is why this plan was adopted for
-Big Lodge Girls.”
-
-“We have been discussing this novel plan and we
-all wish to ask some questions,” now announced the
-Chief.
-
-“The meeting is open for questions,” said the Guide.
-
-“Can my brother Paul join?” asked Hilda.
-
-“Sure—we’ll soon teach him to quit his peevish
-ways,” replied Zan, frank but thoughtless in her
-answer.
-
-Hilda instantly closed her lips tight and looked
-highly insulted. “The idea of Zan Baker speaking
-like that of our little Paul!” said she to Nita.
-
-“‘Little Paul’ is almost as old as Billy Remington,
-but see the awful difference,” retorted Nita, for she
-disliked the selfish, whining boy as heartily as Zan
-did.
-
-Hilda turned away but felt ill-treated by her friends.
-Then Jane Hubert said:
-
-“Maybe my little cousin Dot Hubert will join!
-Goodness knows she needs this training almost as
-much as Paul does.”
-
-Some of the girls giggled, for they had noticed
-Hilda’s offended manner, but Miss Miller quickly
-added:
-
-“With the three little Remingtons, that will make
-five. We are progressing splendidly, girls.”
-
-“And I believe I can interest my sister in this Lodge
-so that Betty and Tammy Fullerton will be allowed
-to join the Band,” ventured Mrs. Remington.
-
-“How old are they?” eagerly asked the girls.
-
-“Tammy is only a little past three years, and Betty
-is about seven. Our Teddy is four, Dot Hubert is
-eight, Edith is nine, Paul is almost eleven, and Billy
-past eleven, so you see you have a fine range of ages to
-experiment with.”
-
-“Oh, I’m crazy to see them all together and try
-to have them to do some Woodcraft stunts!” cried
-Zan, clasping her hands in delight.
-
-“Let’s hope your enthusiasm keeps up!” grumbled
-Eleanor, who had not favoured the new departure
-very much.
-
-The next week the Brownies all attended the weekly
-meeting and the ceremony of enrolling them as a Little
-Lodge took place. But as this is all told in detail in
-the story called “Little Woodcrafters’ Book,” in which
-the cares and troubles of the self-appointed Woodcraft
-mothers fill more than 350 pages and are illustrated
-by numerous pictures, we will omit repeating it in this
-volume.
-
-.. ---File: 286.png
-
-With the advent of the Brownies and the conversion
-of seven active little bundles of mischief into becoming
-normal, ambitious, *coup*-winning Woodcrafters, the
-time flew by as if on wings. Every spare moment
-found from regular studies and Woodcraft work was
-filled in by attending to a Brownie need.
-
-Thus February, March, and April came and passed
-like a mist before the rising sun, and the month of
-May was ushered in and found the five original girls
-of Wako Tribe so completely absorbed with the progress
-the Brownies were making that the other members
-were ignored and left to work as best they could with
-the help they could find in the Manual or from Miss
-Miller.
-
-The Guide saw the unexpected schism created in
-the ranks of the Tribe, but she had to use utmost
-wisdom in handling this peculiar situation—all interest
-shown the Little Lodge by the five girls, and a lack
-of concern about the new members of their own Big
-Lodge.
-
-The problem was mentioned to Mrs. Remington and
-that lady suggested a visit to Council House where
-Wako Tribe could hold a Grand Council and exhibit
-work accomplished during the Winter. This was
-planned to draw the factions together again by
-a mutual pride and interest in their Tribe activities.
-
-Besides the friends of the members of Wako Tribe,
-there would be the Black Bears (Fred’s Tribe), Elizabeth’s
-Tribe, some guests from Headquarters in New
-York, and a few neighbours of Mrs. Remington’s who
-were deeply interested in Woodcraft work.
-
-The girls of Wako Tribe were delighted to hold a
-Spring Council at this place and everyone worked with
-a will to make the event a memorable occasion. The
-Guide heaved a deep sigh, for she saw them all united
-again and seeking the advancement of the Tribe as
-a unit. But she sighed too soon.
-
-An elaborate programme was evolved and the visitors
-were impressed by the exhibits of Woodcraft
-work of every kind made and displayed by the members
-of the Tribe.
-
-As one entered the Council House a long table was
-the first attraction. Tomtoms, simple or elaborate
-according to experience and ability of the makers,
-beautiful sets of bows and arrows that would carry
-100 yards or 150 yards and win *coups* or grand *coups*,
-respectively; fire-sets of rubbing sticks and their
-leather bags, decorated as the individual preferred;
-birch-bark articles made from the Alpine harvest of
-the preceding Fall; many kinds of knots tied in rope
-and tagged as mentioned in the Manual; individual
-Tally Books showing what each girl had accomplished
-since joining the Tribe; and last but not least on this
-table was an enlarged photograph of the little cabin
-built on Wickeecheokee Bluff by the five girls during
-the Summer of their first camp.
-
-Back of the first long table of exhibits, the wall
-was covered with grass mats, willow beds, decorated
-blankets, totems, shields, carefully mounted and
-framed collections of moths, butterflies, insects of
-various kinds, leaves, flowers, forestry, etc. These
-made an impressive showing, and many had *coups* or
-*grand coups* attached.
-
-Next to the long table stood the book-shelves,
-tabourets, benches, stools, bird-houses, and other decorative
-or useful articles in carpentry.
-
-A second long table exhibited the pottery work,
-bowls, fire-urns, candle-sticks, weaving, bead-work,
-looms, Indian Sun-dial; work in brass, silver, copper,
-and other metals, the designs made, hammered, and
-etched by the girls themselves.
-
-Then an old-fashioned bookcase with glass doors
-had been brought from the house-attic and the shelves
-of this large cabinet were filled with jars of canned
-fruit, preserves, pickles, dried and canned vegetables,
-dried or salted meats, cakes, bread, and other housekeeper’s
-craft learned and practised by the members
-of Wako Tribe.
-
-On the floor beside the cabinet were hand-made rush
-brooms, willow-ware of all kinds, Indian tools for
-gardening, and the tents made at such expense of
-labour and patience during January.
-
-There were exhibits of *coups* and degrees and honours
-for swimming, star-gazing, farming, archery,
-nursing, needle-craft, marketing, singing, dancing, Indian
-Lore, hostess, cooking, fishing, gardening, carpentry,
-camper-craft, bird sharp, art crafts, and minor
-works so arranged that the lists seemed endless. In
-fact, the Big Chief from Headquarters said he had
-never witnessed so many achievements accomplished
-by one Tribe in so short a time, and he added that it
-spoke well for the zeal and application of the members.
-
-The entertainment now began with the usual ceremonies
-of Grand Council, followed by reports and
-other business. Then the girls performed the Green
-Corn Dance, which is especially a Spring Dance. After
-the Big Lodge finished this graceful dance, the
-Brownies of the Little Lodge acted Nana-bo-jou with
-great vim and energy.
-
-Immediately following this dance, the Chief said:
-“One of our Brownies wishes to win a *coup* for storytelling,
-so I will introduce Edith Remington to the
-audience. She will tell you what happened to her last
-Winter.”
-
-Edith was acquainted with most of the visitors
-present, so she felt no self-consciousness in addressing
-them. In fact, bashfulness and over-sensitiveness are
-two of the undesirable failings eliminated by Woodcraft,
-so that a child can do what is expected of it
-without the agony brought out by self-consciousness.
-
-“It was a very cold day—so cold that the ground
-was frozen hard—but no snow had fallen yet. I
-wanted to call Billy ’cause we were invited to spend
-the day with my little cousins, so I ran out of the
-front door to find him in the woods at the foot of
-the lawn.
-
-“Just as I hurried under a big oak tree that stands
-by the drive, I heard a queer scratching noise, and
-some loose pebbles flew in front of me.
-
-.. ---File: 290.png
-
-“I looked over at the foot of the tree-trunk and
-there was a little squirrel trying to dig up the hard
-frozen ground. I s’pose he had some nuts buried there
-and wanted to get them out for his dinner. As I
-stood watching him for a few minutes, my hands grew
-cold, so I pulled the mittens out of my coat pocket.
-
-“Out flew a peanut with one of the mittens and no
-sooner did it roll on the ground than Mr. Squirrel
-hopped over and had it. He jumped back to the tree
-and sat upon his haunches cracking and eating the nut.
-
-“He must have been awful hungry, ’cause he hurried
-back to me the minute he finished the peanut, and
-jumped upon my arm, looking in my pocket for more.
-
-“I waited, as still as a mouse, so he wouldn’t get
-’fraid, then he looked up in my face as much as to say:
-‘Haven’t you any more?’
-
-“I laughed at that, and he jumped away and sat
-a few yards off watching me. Then I had an idea.
-I ran in and asked Mose for some nuts, telling him
-about the squirrel. He gave me a handful from the
-pantry and I ran back to feed the little fellow.
-
-“He came right up and took them from my hands
-and when he had carted most of them over to the foot
-of the tree and eaten some, he carried one at a time
-to a bough and sat eating it. When that was gone
-he ran down and carried another nut up and ate it.
-
-“I told Billy about it and he said he guessed we
-could tame that squirrel if we fed it every day. So
-we gave it things to eat all Winter and now it is as
-tame as can be.”
-
-.. ---File: 291.png
-
-When Edith concluded her story the audience applauded
-and Big Chief declared she must have the
-*coup*, for the story was well told.
-
-Edith was so delighted at hearing this praise from
-the Chief at Headquarters that she could not be restrained
-that day—she ran about showing everyone
-the *coup* presented her.
-
-The Council ended with the Sunset Song, and the
-meeting was pronounced to be one of the best Wako
-Tribe ever held. Miss Miller felt confident that the
-plan had united all the girls again and now they would
-work together as before, for the progress and advancement
-of the entire Tribe.
-
-.. ---File: 292.png
-
-CHAPTER FIFTEEN—SOME WEEK-END CAMPS
-===================================
-
-The weather grew warmer with the advancing
-Spring and out-door life became a joy to the
-Woodcrafters. The Little Lodge proved to be so
-entertaining to the five girls that they felt a jealousy
-of any other member of Wako Tribe should she inadvertently
-mention a personal interest in the welfare
-of the Brownies.
-
-Miss Miller saw the breach widening again and was
-torn ’twixt her desire to keep unity and the struggle
-to do her duty to both factions. This was the state
-of affairs when the Chief suggested a one-day’s camp
-to try out the Little Lodge in the woods.
-
-“Did you hear what Zan Baker’s gone and done?”
-exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur, as soon as she heard about
-the proposed camp that Saturday.
-
-“No—what?” demanded some of the girls who
-were working in the gymnasium while waiting for
-Miss Miller. The five other girls seldom met at school
-now, as the Brownies met them at their own homes,
-thus enabling them to hold aloof from the other
-members.
-
-“She’s planned a camp and left us out in the cold!”
-
-.. ---File: 293.png
-
-“Who told you so?” asked some of the loyal girls.
-
-“Oh, I heard it, all right. If you don’t believe me
-you can ask the Guide when she comes in. Maybe she
-won’t tell the truth, though, ’cause she is as thick with
-them as can be, and she is going with them, I s’pose!”
-
-“Well, I can hardly blame Zan and her chums for
-spending so much time with the Brownies—they are
-awfully cute, you know!” responded May Randall.
-
-“Besides, the work we have done according to the
-Manual shows that we can go on just the same, whether
-the other five girls sit down and wait for us to catch
-up or not,” said Anne.
-
-“It might be better for all concerned if they fuss
-over the Brownies while we do the things they all did
-last year, and then we can all go on together with
-Woodcraft,” added Frances.
-
-“I might have known you three girls would toady
-to Zan Baker and Jane Hubert. Just because they run
-the show and boss us all, doesn’t say they have the
-right to do it. But you are afraid of them, that’s why
-you give in every time!” sneered Eleanor.
-
-“At least you will admit that we don’t waste our
-time going about telling tales on others and trying
-to make trouble for everyone!” scorned Anne Mason,
-just as the Guide entered.
-
-Her appearance instantly changed Eleanor’s attitude
-and she approached Miss Miller with an ingratiating
-smile. The girls saw and most of them
-sniffed, some even went so far as to murmur aloud:
-“Cat! I wish she was out of this Tribe!”
-
-.. ---File: 294.png
-
-The Guide felt that the atmosphere was charged
-but she hoped to find out the conditions without questioning,
-so she started the meeting, explaining the
-absence of the Chief and four girls by saying:
-
-“They are teaching the Brownies to make gifts
-for Betty’s birthday party. The little ones are going
-to the woods to celebrate.”
-
-That same evening, Miss Miller spoke to Zan about
-having the other members of the Tribe at the Woodland
-Camp.
-
-“Oh pshaw, Miss Miller! We can’t bother with
-a crowd of big girls when we are just on the point of
-trying out this camp-experiment with the Brownies.
-Those girls have enough to do with their work, and
-we can go on with the Little Lodge until later.”
-
-“Have you decided on a place for the picnic?”
-asked the Guide, changing the subject.
-
-“We thought Eagle’s Crest as good as any for just
-one day,” replied Zan, relieved that the other disagreeable
-topic was dropped.
-
-“Yes, it is near enough to reach it in an hour’s time
-by autos, and there will be plenty of birds and flowers
-and trees to open a mine of Woodcraft for the
-Brownies.”
-
-“Then it is settled—we will go to Eagle’s Crest.
-And I will say that some time, when we go to a longer
-camp-trip, we will ask the new members,” said Zan,
-apologetically, for she knew the girls of Suwanee Band
-and her own new members were not receiving the true
-hospitality demanded of genuine Woodcrafters.
-
-.. ---File: 295.png
-
-From this conversation, Miss Miller gathered that
-the five older members were determined to have their
-own way with the Little Lodge, and she planned now
-to avert disaster to the Tribe and yet keep them all
-the best of friends.
-
-Hence the first out-door camp for a day with the
-Brownies was not announced as a Tribe activity, but
-it was kept as quiet as possible, declaring it was Betty
-Fullerton’s birthday party and not a Tribe affair at
-all. Of course the five old members felt this was
-downright prevarication, but it seemed the easiest way
-to rid themselves of unpleasant explanations to the
-other girls.
-
-To carry out the plan of celebrating Betty’s birthday
-the last of May, the girls began making gifts to
-exchange with the Little Lodge members. The
-Brownies, too, eagerly worked on simple little presents
-made of paper, paint, and raffia work.
-
-Of course Miss Miller was included in the picnic
-and she went to keep an alert eye on the conduct and
-conversation of the older girls as well as watch over
-the younger children.
-
-From a picnicker’s point of view, the outing was
-a great success and proved an incentive for a longer
-camp next time.
-
-On the drive back home that afternoon, Zan asked
-the other girls when and where they should have the
-next camp.
-
-“We can revisit Staten Island,” suggested Elena.
-
-“I’d rather camp nearer a house or store where
-we could telephone if we need to,” added
-Jane.
-
-“I met a lady this winter who has a house on the
-Palisades much nearer Fort Lee Ferry than our Alpine
-Camp was last Fall. She has heard of your Tribe
-and seemed eager to meet you. I might write and
-see if she knows of a spot near there,” said Miss
-Miller.
-
-“Oh do, please, and maybe we can go the first warm
-Friday.”
-
-“I might add that if the weather is fine we might
-make a regular Tribe camp of it and all camp over
-the week-end,” added Miss Miller.
-
-The frowns and scowls that instantly showed on
-the faces of the five girls plainly told the Guide that
-the time was not yet at hand for the solving of the
-unpleasant problem.
-
-At the first stop, which was Miss Miller’s home,
-Zan said: “Don’t forget that letter, Miss
-Miller.”
-
-“I won’t, but I must say that you girls ought to pay
-more attention to individual Woodcraft interests and
-not so much to your delight in playing with the
-Brownies. It is downright selfish of you.”
-
-Miss Miller said good-night to them and left them
-wondering at her displeased tone of voice.
-
-“What did you do, Zan Baker?” cried Jane,
-amazed.
-
-“I—I never did a thing to her!” said Zan half-crying
-with mortification.
-
-.. ---File: 297.png
-
-“If Miss Miller is mad at us for anything I am
-going to ask her pardon ’cause I’d rather keep in with
-her than all the Woodcraft in the world!” declared
-Nita.
-
-Which all goes to show that the five girls did not
-stop to consider how deeply the Guide felt over the
-careless manner in which they treated the new members
-of the Tribe. Possibly, had they realised the truth
-they would have swung over to the opposite extreme
-and dropped the Brownies to make up to the other
-girls to please the Guide.
-
-But Miss Miller finally decided to take Mrs. Remington
-into a secret plan she had devised. After the
-letter was written to her friend on the Palisades, she
-called Mrs. Remington up on the telephone and they
-talked some time. When the conversation ended the
-plot was laid.
-
-The week-end camp on the Hudson River Cliffs
-proved to be very entertaining, as the friend mentioned
-had provided the tents and camp-kits, and the girls
-only had to provide food and fun.
-
-The Little Lodge was well started on flowers, birds,
-trees and other *coups* for Brownies, and on Sunday,
-the blue prints were made and admired. Not only did
-the children make simple prints but the five older
-Woodcrafters made several exquisite ones for their
-Tally Books.
-
-The evening before the Band broke camp, they were
-all seated about the embers of the camp-fire when the
-Guide addressed them:
-
-.. ---File: 298.png
-
-“You girls will not have much time to give the
-Little Lodge after this week—you have to study for
-Exams. you know.”
-
-“Dear sakes, that’s so! I tried to forget it,” sighed
-Elena.
-
-“This is the last of May and preliminary examinations
-start the first week of June this year,” the Guide
-reminded.
-
-“I have to work up some of those last Fall studies,
-too,” murmured Hilda.
-
-“Have you thought of any plan for the Brownies
-while you are occupied with lessons? I shall not be
-able to meet with you again or waste any time on
-Woodcraft from now on till school closes,” ventured
-Miss Miller.
-
-“You won’t! Goodness what will we do?” asked
-Zan.
-
-“Why, do what I will do—study like mad!” retorted
-Jane.
-
-“That’s what you all had better do if you expect to
-go on with your class next year. You can’t afford to
-drop behind in your school-classes on account of these
-children,” advised Miss Miller.
-
-“Maybe they’ll forget all they learned from us—and
-maybe they’ll not want to bother with a Little
-Lodge if we have to leave them a whole month,” said
-Nita.
-
-“I thought of a way to handle the situation but Zan
-ought to arrange about it without delay—that is, if it
-meets with the approval of you all.”
-
-.. ---File: 299.png
-
-“It is sure to—what is it, Miss Miller?” said the
-girls.
-
-“Ask Mrs. Remington to watch over and take
-charge of your Little Lodge until school is over. She
-can teach them lots of good things and they can be
-handed back to you in fine feather when your time is
-yours to enjoy again.”
-
-“What a dandy idea! I’ll do it the moment we get
-home,” exclaimed Zan.
-
-And the other girls agreed with her that the plan
-was great! Miss Miller meekly looked at the fading
-pink ashes of the camp-fire and mentally thanked the
-Watchful Spirit for a hope of peace that was held out
-to Wako Tribe.
-
-Monday night Mrs. Remington accepted an invitation
-from Zan to call and talk over Little Lodge matters,
-and the result was that the Brownies were
-turned over to her personal charge and the Chief
-congratulated herself on her tact in arranging
-matters so nicely for the Brownies and for her
-friends.
-
-The following day, Tuesday, Eleanor met the Mason
-girls. “I hear those five girls had a wonderful time
-at camp on the Palisades last week. Just got home late
-Sunday night.”
-
-“Yes, and what is more it was the last outing with
-their Brownies this season. They have turned over
-affairs to Mrs. Remington till school closes,” retorted
-Anne.
-
-“So, you see, that doesn’t look much like being so
-taken up with the Little Lodge that they were jealous
-of us, as you intimated some time ago,” added Frances.
-
-Eleanor was taken by surprise as she had heard
-nothing of the transfer. She said nothing more but
-changed the subject.
-
-For the month following the camp on the Palisades,
-every school girl was busy with studies and examinations,
-and little heed was paid Woodcraft interests.
-Miss Miller, too, had much extra work to do as she
-generally assisted the high-school teachers in reading
-papers and marking percentages for pupils. But she
-took time to visit the doctor one afternoon and outline
-to him the fears and worries she felt over the schism
-in the Tribe.
-
-“I am sorry to hear my girl is so thoughtless of
-others’ rights in this matter, but I think I can suggest
-a way out of further misunderstandings,” said the
-doctor when the Guide had concluded her tale of
-trouble.
-
-“Oh, if you could! Your letter last Summer was
-so full of sensible advice regarding Nita that I felt
-sure you could offer some way out of this difficulty,”
-said Miss Miller.
-
-“The last week of school—immediately after exams.
-are over, so the girls will not be distracted
-by my plan during any important test—I will send an
-invitation to every girl in Wako Tribe asking them to
-visit Wickeecheokee for a camp party. Mrs. Baker
-is not going to take her boys there to camp until the
-day following the Fourth, and the girls can have the
-use of the place until that time. They can start as soon
-as they wish to after school closes.”
-
-“Oh, that is just what we need—a close companionship
-such as a camp at the farm will give. Then the
-crisis will be passed without danger,” sighed Miss
-Miller, gratefully.
-
-“As a physician would say, ‘with no fatalities to
-record!’ and patients all doing well!” laughed Dr.
-Baker.
-
-So it happened that the last Monday of the school-month,
-the hard tests all over for the term, Miss Miller
-sent word by Billy Remington, that the members of the
-Tribe were to meet her the next afternoon—Tuesday—in
-the gymnasium.
-
-It seemed a long time since the girls had met and
-everyone was present to hear what was the cause of
-the call.
-
-When all were present, the Guide read an invitation
-from the doctor, which included every girl in the
-Tribe, as well as the Little Lodge members.
-
-“Oh, how lovely of the doctor!” cried several
-voices.
-
-“If only it was for some other time, Miss Miller!
-We have company coming to spend the Fourth,” complained
-one of the Suwanee members.
-
-“And we are going to the seashore next Monday
-for a month!” added another girl.
-
-“Well, let us only consider the reply just now—those
-who will not be here to go with us, can explain
-later,” said the Guide, fearful lest the principal cause of
-the meeting be lost.
-
-“Oh, we’ll go, of course! Who’d think of refusing?”
-laughed Jane.
-
-“Is that what everyone present thinks? Remember
-girls—this is for everyone in the Tribe—not for a
-few,” said the Guide very plainly.
-
-The vote showed that every girl was glad and grateful
-to accept the invitation, so it was accepted and the
-letter handed Zan to give her father that night. Then
-the individual members would have to arrange their
-personal matters at home as best they could. This
-meeting over, the Guide felt that she had won another
-victory over the subtle temptations of evil to destroy
-any good work that would lift the individual out of
-its power for all time.
-
-It finally transpired that beside the five old members
-and the Little Lodge Brownies, but six of the new
-members could arrange to go to camp with the Tribe.
-The others had promised visits to pay, or were leaving
-the city with their families, for the entire Summer
-vacation.
-
-From the day the invitation was read to the day
-the girls planned to start, Eleanor was very attentive
-to Zan, effusing over everything the Chief did or said,
-until Zan grew annoyed and felt like asking her what
-it was all for.
-
-The last day in the city, however, Eleanor met Zan
-on the street, and said: “Are all the Brownies going
-with us?”
-
-.. ---File: 303.png
-
-“Sure! There aren’t enough to go around as it is—so
-we couldn’t spare one, you know.”
-
-“They are such darlings! I am so glad they will
-be with us!” exclaimed Eleanor.
-
-“I thought you detested them. I heard that you
-preferred leaving our Tribe if we continued having a
-Little Lodge,” said Zan.
-
-“What! Who dared say that of me? It is false!”
-cried Eleanor, furious to find she had been found out.
-
-“Oh, never mind who. You’ll get over this, just
-as we get over everything unpleasant. Stick to your
-present desire of being glad the kiddies are with us,
-and forget the others!”
-
-So Zan, with all her frankness, averted an unpleasant
-scene with Eleanor. But she mentioned it to the
-Guide who nodded and said: “Eleanor will climb out
-of this mire just as Nita got out last Summer, but it
-seems to cling more tenaciously to Eleanor.”
-
-The short interval given the girls in which to prepare
-for the camp on the farm, soon passed and amid
-a chorus of happy good-byes and some regrets from
-those who remained at home, the Tribe left the city.
-After several hours of motoring through the lovely
-country districts of New Jersey, they reached Wickeecheokee.
-
-“You five girls sure were lucky to have a whole
-summer at this grand old place,” said a member of
-Suwanee Band, as she admired the old colonial house,
-the ancient trees, the fine green lawns and the glimpse
-of gardens back of the barns.
-
-.. ---File: 304.png
-
-“If you think this is fine, just wait till you see the
-Bluff and Falls where we camp. That’s something
-worth while!” bragged Zan, who was pleased at the
-admiration from the girls.
-
-“The water rushes right down the mountain-side
-from Fiji’s Cave and falls over a great boulder into a
-pool below that we use for a swimming pool,” added
-Jane.
-
-“And we have a large Council Ring there, and a
-ready-made fire-place,” said Hilda.
-
-“That reminds me! We all ought to feel hungry
-by this time, so we could have lunch on the lawn and
-start for the Bluff later, to get settled for the night,”
-advised the Guide.
-
-“I think I can eat a morsel, if coaxed hard enough,”
-said Jane, laughing.
-
-“I can eat everything in sight—even the grass,”
-declared Billy.
-
-“You won’t have to stoop to the meek little blades,
-Billy, as we brought plenty of sandwiches and cake,”
-said Zan.
-
-As they enjoyed the luncheon brought from home,
-Miss Miller asked: “Who would like to visit the
-gardens after we’re through with refreshments?”
-
-“Oh, yes; I can’t tell an onion from a gooseberry,”
-laughed Eleanor.
-
-“You ought to if you did your cookery work properly
-this winter,” Miss Miller reproved.
-
-An hour was devoted to trying to identify the many
-vegetables of the garden, and at the same time, enough
-fruit and other things were gathered for supper and
-breakfast.
-
-“Funny how different lettuce, radishes, beets, and
-other things look to us when growing in the garden
-and when we have them ready served on the dinner
-table,” commented one of the girls.
-
-Then the Guide described the habits of many vegetables
-and explained how they grew and should be
-cared for and harvested. She touched upon the national
-interest taken in canning and preserving and
-hinted that the Wako Girls might start a class for
-themselves early in the Fall.
-
-Bill Sherwood had erected tents and brought the
-cots from the cabin, so all was ready for the Tribe
-when they reached the Bluff. The Council Ring had
-been cleared of debris and the camp-fire place ready for
-supper, so that the Guide smiled and thanked Bill for
-his trouble to have everything in order for them.
-
-That night the girls sat star-gazing when Zan said:
-“We must start the new members and the Brownies
-on mat weaving and willow bed making, the first thing,
-Miss Miller.”
-
-“Yes, the rushes and willows ought to be just about
-right this time of year,” added the Guide, delighted
-that Zan was taking a normal interest in her Woodcraft
-again.
-
-So immediately after breakfast, they all started
-down the slope to the Big Bridge where the reeds grew
-thickest and longest. In passing, the Guide called the
-attention of the Brownies and new members to the
-trees: Oak, hickory, maple and others were identified
-and described.
-
-Then Billy tried to show his superiority over the
-other Brownies, by saying: “That is a red maple, and
-over there—that’s a swamp maple.”
-
-“What’s this, Billy?” asked Elizabeth.
-
-“Oh, that’s a mountain maple.”
-
-“What was the grove we came through last night?”
-said she.
-
-“Sugar maples for maple syrup! Don’t I know!
-I’ve tapped them enough when out with Fred,” giggled
-Billy.
-
-While they were all engaged in cutting rushes some
-of the girls gazed about now and then. In one of these
-wayward glances, May saw some green leaves growing
-in the brook.
-
-“What are they, Miss Miller?”
-
-“That is water-cress—would you like to gather it?”
-
-“Water-cress! Oh, I love it in salad!” cried
-May.
-
-“Then pull off your shoes and stockings and wade in
-and gather all you want. We’ll have it instead of lettuce
-this noon.”
-
-Two of the girls preferred to help May gather cress
-as they thought they had enough reed and rush for a
-mat, so by the time the cutting was done, the three
-girls had a large basketful of water-cress.
-
-That afternoon, they began weaving mats on the
-looms constructed that morning. As they were working
-for *coups* they applied themselves carefully to the
-work. Even the Little Lodge tried the mat weaving
-but soon wearied of it.
-
-Eleanor took an enthusiastic interest in the mats
-until she found it was tedious work and made her
-back ache with bending over the looms.
-
-“It seems so silly to waste time on this stuff when
-you really do not need them or want them for anything,”
-said she.
-
-“We’re not weaving a doormat but working for an
-honour,” retorted May.
-
-“But it is foolish—an empty honour,” laughed
-she.
-
-“I never think anything foolish that creates a desire
-to do perfect work, or apply yourself and overcome
-impatience,” said Miss Miller.
-
-“But where’s the honour come in?” insisted
-Eleanor.
-
-“It is an honour always to follow the Bible’s
-injunction—‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it
-with thy might.’”
-
-“Oh, you’re talking of religion—this is different,”
-argued Eleanor, not to be silenced.
-
-“Our Master felt that the two went together—honour
-and religion. If one does what is honourable
-and right in small things he can be depended upon for
-greater things, too.”
-
-“Well, weaving grass mats won’t count,” scorned
-Eleanor, pushing at her badly woven mat impatiently.
-
-“Everything counts. If you can’t be patient and do
-a simple thing like a grass mat how do you expect to
-be promoted? It is the promotion that gains us
-honours but if one fails to do the best he can with
-anything given to do, how can one hope to go higher
-in the scale of progress?
-
-“In Woodcraft, it is not the grass mat we weave
-that counts for the *coup* or honour, it is the general
-improvement in one’s moral and spiritual life that
-really counts. And the uplift in mental and characteristic
-desires brings about the higher basis for the next
-step.
-
-“You mistake, Eleanor, when you think you are
-weaving grass mats or willow beds—you are weaving
-qualities of thought, good or bad, and each pattern
-produced only shows what thoughts, upbuilding or destructive,
-you are allowing yourself to weave into the
-warp and woof of your future life. And this pattern
-is all there is to our temporal lives, but it is everything
-when we seek promotion to our eternal and spiritual
-life!”
-
-Eleanor lifted her delicate eyebrows with a disdainful
-manner and pretended to stifle a yawn as she
-gazed away to Pine Nob.
-
-The Guide saw the expression of being bored but
-she said nothing, being too noble a character to take
-offence or feel sensitive over the girl’s rudeness. The
-other girls had heard the short lecture and pondered
-deeply as they worked.
-
-Miss Miller saw the thoughtful girls in one comprehensive
-glance, and thanked the Great Spirit that the
-seed had not all fallen on barren ground.
-
-.. ---File: 309.png
-
-Eleanor noticed the silence after a time and remarked:
-
-“Have you girls lost your tongues?”
-
-“Why-hy, no-o! I guess we were thinking.”
-
-“Thinking—what of?” wondered she.
-
-“Why Miss Miller’s words, to be sure. She is
-wonderful, that way, and we love to hear her explain
-things spiritual in such a simple way. It really makes
-religion attractive, I think,” said Jane.
-
-“Now, if Jane Hubert thinks that, and she lives in
-the finest house belonging to any of the girls, and she
-has more money than any, there must be more to the
-Guide’s words than I thought of. What was it she
-said to me, anyway?” thought Eleanor to herself as
-she began pulling out the strands she had woven into
-the mat.
-
-Then she tried to remember and in so doing she took
-in more of what Miss Miller had really said than she
-thought possible. Even as she pondered, she finished
-unravelling the mat and began over again to weave the
-work correctly and neatly.
-
-Nita noticed this silent weaving and the thoughtful
-mien of Eleanor, and she left her own loom to join
-the girl and tell her of her experience while at Camp
-with Miss Miller the previous Summer.
-
-Eleanor kept her eyes upon the weaving as she listened,
-and when Nita said: “I never was so contented
-and happy in my life as now, and it is only because I
-tried to do just as Miss Miller taught and showed me
-to do.”
-
-.. ---File: 310.png
-
-The days passed only too quickly for the busy
-Woodcrafters until the day before the Fourth. Then
-the Doctor telephoned just before noon and told the
-Guide that the friends and families of Wako Tribe
-were coming down to hold a Council on the afternoon
-of the Fourth.
-
-When this unexpected news was transmitted to the
-girls, such a bustle and excitement as it created!
-Everyone wanted to do something fine to show the
-visitors what progress had been made in the past week.
-
-Some of the girls went to the house to bake cake for
-refreshments, some hurriedly sawed and painted crude
-totems to make the Council Ring appear decorated.
-The Brownies thrashed through the woods gathering
-wild flowers and fern, and arranging them in pails and
-jars of water. Mrs. Sherwood skimmed the rich
-cream from several pans of milk and offered to freeze
-the ice-cream. Everyone managed to get in everyone
-else’s way, and the merry confusion was as enjoyable
-as a surprise party.
-
-The girls expected the visitors about noon, but it
-was almost two o’clock before a maddening sound
-reached them.
-
-“Good gracious! That isn’t *our* siren!” cried
-Jane.
-
-“Nor ours—and it isn’t the Remingtons’, either,”
-said Zan.
-
-Then another terrific blast sounded from the Big
-Bridge, and the girls saw three large jitneys turn in
-from the main road and pull up before Bill’s cottage.
-
-.. ---File: 311.png
-
-“Did you ever see such a crowd?” exclaimed May,
-as the visitors jumped out and looked about.
-
-“‘Everybody and his uncle’ came, I guess!”
-laughed Elena.
-
-“And in jitneys! Isn’t it a scream?” added Jane.
-
-As they spoke, the girls were hurrying down the
-slope to welcome the friends and soon after, the
-Council Ring was filled and the entertainment began.
-
-Nita danced, the Tribe sang, the boys had sham-battles,
-games were enjoyed, and refreshments,—not
-the least of the fun—were quickly disposed of and the
-visitors complimented the cooks.
-
-“I hear those jitneys calling ‘Ole Black Joe,’” sang
-the doctor, as a horn sounded from the foot of the
-slope. “But I must say my little say before I go.
-And this is my speech!”
-
-Dr. Baker then told the girls that they, as a Tribe,
-were invited to accompany Mrs. Hubert to the Adirondack
-Camp for the Summer. She expected to leave
-the city on the following Thursday and anyone intending
-to go must be ready and waiting at the car.
-
-This wonderful news was wildly received and the
-visitors were sent off in a hurry, as the girls wanted
-time to consider ways and means of going to Woodchuck
-Camp.
-
-.. ---File: 312.png
-
-CHAPTER SIXTEEN—THE ADIRONDACK CAMP
-===================================
-
-When the girls returned to the city the day following
-the Fourth, they heard that Mrs. Remington
-and Anna, the governess, were going to assist
-them in Woodcraft that Summer, and incidentally look
-after Teddy and Tammy, the babies of Little Lodge.
-
-Mrs. Baker was invited but she declined as she had
-already arranged to start a boys’ camp for her sons at
-the farm. All the members of Wako Tribe were invited
-but many of them could not go, as other plans
-had been made by mothers. So on the day of departure,
-Miss Miller, the other ladies, and Brownies, with
-the five old members and some of the new ones,
-boarded the express.
-
-It was a long wearisome ride but the wonders expected
-when all should reach the mountains buoyed
-them up. As Zan said: “It was just like journeying
-hopefully through earth’s tribulations for the joy
-and peace waiting in Heaven.”
-
-It was dark when the campers reached the Huberts’
-place and not much could be seen, but early in the
-morning every girl was out and exclaiming at the
-beauty of the forest camp. The lake was a short walk
-from the long cabin, and a swim was the first thing on
-the programme. After that a hearty breakfast, and
-a hike through the woods.
-
-As they merrily ran hither and thither in the cool
-bowers of green, the Brownies gathered flowers and
-leaves. Billy brought Miss Miller a sprig of green and
-she cried:
-
-“Ha! Who knows what this is—don’t tell them,
-Billy!”
-
-“Do you know—it smells like mint of some sort?”
-said Nita, sniffing at the green leaves.
-
-“It’s sassafras. The juice of these leaves flavours
-the chewing gum Zan told us of in her essay,” said the
-Guide.
-
-“Then it is used for candy, too,” added Billy.
-
-“Yes, and peppermint and birch found in these
-woods can be used for flavouring, too,” said Mrs.
-Remington.
-
-“Did I hear you say we had all the makings of some
-candy the first rainy day?” laughed Zan.
-
-“Having the flavouring at hand—why not?” retorted
-Jane, well knowing the Brownies would take up
-the cry.
-
-Even as she turned to nudge Billy, a drop of rain
-splashed down upon her face. She looked up and saw
-a heavy cloud sweeping over the sun and the others
-turned and looked also.
-
-“Run everybody, or we’ll have to swim back!”
-cried Zan.
-
-“Run for the house—not for the camp! Remember
-that sassafras candy!” merrily shouted Jane.
-
-.. ---File: 314.png
-
-So the first day at Woodchuck Camp ended with a
-candy-pull and sticky hands and faces of Wako Tribe
-members.
-
-No one could settle down to any planned Woodcraft
-work that first week in the Adirondacks as the call of
-the forest and lake proved irresistible. But the second
-week the novelty had worn off enough to allow the girls
-to start some active work.
-
-“We must have a good cabin to hold our tools and
-work during the Summer—what do you say to building
-one at once?” asked Miss Miller.
-
-“Oh, yes, let’s!” replied the girls who had built the
-cabin at Wickeecheokee Camp.
-
-“Won’t it be awfully hard work?” queried Anne.
-
-“And so senseless when you have tents and a house
-near enough to place things,” added Eleanor, peevishly.
-“It will be more fun to swing in a hammock and read
-stories.”
-
-“One can read books in the Winter but who wants
-to do it in camp?” scorned Hilda.
-
-“My mother sent me a box of novels and I shall
-take it easy and read—you girls can do as you like,”
-retorted Eleanor.
-
-Miss Miller heard the conversation and was on guard
-at once. “Who is your favourite author, Eleanor?”
-
-“I have so many, I hardly can tell,” said the girl,
-not aware of the Guide’s intentions to draw her out.
-
-“What style of book do you prefer? Travel, history,
-or love stories?”
-
-“Oh, love, to be sure! The kind that are run
-serially in the ‘Cosmo’ Magazine. I adore them and
-the moment the books are out I buy them to read again.
-I can devour the love scenes again and again, and enjoy
-them!” sighed Eleanor, sentimentally.
-
-“When that box of books arrives, Eleanor, will you
-allow me to look them over first?”
-
-“Of course you may, but I can’t see why you
-would want to read them first—you couldn’t finish
-them all in a month!” laughed Eleanor.
-
-“I have no desire to read them, but I must see what
-you intend bringing into camp. From your words, I
-should say the books are unworthy the name. I have
-long taken up the crusade against the trash that some
-magazines publish as it is unhealthy for young people.
-There are scores of other periodicals just as bad but
-they haven’t the wealth or influence to advertise and
-put over their injurious reading that this one you mention
-has.”
-
-“Why, how queer you are, Miss Miller! Everyone
-says the authors of those stories make fortunes
-out of everything written!” Eleanor defended.
-
-“Ah, yes! What will be their report when the Day
-of Accounts comes and we each have to look at the
-facts bared by Truth?” sighed the Guide walking
-away.
-
-Eleanor smiled ironically and looked at Zan. “Isn’t
-she the funniest thing!”
-
-“No, we all know Miss Miller’s great ambition to
-provide clean wholesome literature for young people
-and Dad seconds her enthusiastically in her work. She
-wrote an article to the New York papers showing how
-subtle and poisonous was the moral and mental perversion
-of the sex stories so flagrantly advertised by publishers
-who only thought of gain and notoriety. But
-the newspapers are not courageous enough to throw the
-gauntlet down to these publishers. Some of them
-wrote back that the concerns mentioned spent large
-sums advertising in their daily papers. So Miss Miller
-has to try some other method to open the eyes of the
-parents and guardians to the danger threatening young
-people.”
-
-Eleanor stared at Zan and wondered, as half of it
-was Greek to her understanding. Miss Miller was
-heard ordering the carpenters to different duties, however,
-so Zan ran over to join them.
-
-“The Brownies can find birch bark and make the
-ornaments to decorate the cabin,” said Anna, as the
-Guide apportioned each group of girls to tasks.
-
-“Moreover, they can remove the large sections of
-bark from this down-timber for the girls to use on the
-outside of the cabin after the posts are up,” said Mrs.
-Remington.
-
-And that is how the name “Boss” began for the
-Guide.
-
-“I’ll guarantee to have bark, totems, shields, and
-other ornaments ready for use when the cabin needs
-them,” added Mrs. Remington, calling the Brownies
-to go with Anna and her.
-
-All that day the silent places of the forest resounded
-with sawing, chopping and hammering, but now and
-then a hot and tired girl would throw herself down on
-the moss to cool.
-
-At luncheon that day, Mrs. Remington whispered
-to Miss Miller: “This work will take much of the
-softness out and leave them in good shape for other
-sport.”
-
-“Exactly!” replied the Guide, looking about at the
-hungry, eager faces of the members.
-
-A call for “Boss” from Tim, who was assisting in
-the hauling of the logs, interrupted further comment
-at that time.
-
-“Miss Miller, the young ladies don’t want to dig a
-hole where the logs will rest. I tells them they must
-do it to have a firm foundation. Fact, I said, a hull
-cellar ought to be dug to keep the floor dry and sweet-smellin’,”
-said Tim.
-
-“Yes, a cellar must be excavated if only a foot, or
-two feet deep. Otherwise the floor will soon be
-mouldy and damp.”
-
-So that afternoon, the girls dug and shovelled and
-worked on a pit about a foot and a half deep and as
-large as the floor was planned to be. The four logs
-forming the foundation square were well set before the
-horn sounded for rest that night.
-
-“Didn’t the time fly?” asked May, in surprise.
-
-“It always does when one is pleasantly employed,”
-added Mrs. Hubert, complimenting the Tribe on the
-work accomplished.
-
-The next day the cross-beams of the floor were laid,
-and the four corner posts erected and firmly nailed into
-place. At the luncheon that noon, plans were made
-for the siding and roofing the cabin. That afternoon,
-the ridgepole and rafters of the roof were set and the
-uprights of the walls nailed in securely. When Mrs.
-Hubert blew the horn for “Quits” the girls looked
-longingly at the skeleton of their cabin.
-
-“I’d like to tack a few sheets of tar paper on the
-outside before stopping work,” ventured Elena.
-
-“Not if you are a member of this union. The rest
-of us will strike if you are permitted to work over-time,”
-retorted the Guide, to the amusement of Tim
-who thought the “Boss” a wonder.
-
-The next day the paper roofing and siding was nailed
-on and then the girls began the interesting work of
-fitting on the great slabs of bark. This had to be carefully
-done as any rough handling or nailing cracked
-the sections.
-
-By evening the cabin was covered and looked very
-rustic with its forest blanket on sides and roof. But
-Tim said the wide chinks between sheets of bark must
-be filled in, and this must be done with plaster.
-
-“Where can we find any?” wondered Zan.
-
-“I’ll show you in the morning,” replied Miss
-Miller.
-
-So in the morning they went down to the shore and
-the Guide dug a pit where clay was found at a depth
-of ten inches. This was worked well with water until
-it was the proper consistency and then pailfuls of the
-mortar were carried to the cabin. The Brownies acted
-as hod-carriers while the girls did the mason work.
-Now and then a Brownie was allowed to fill in chinks
-near the ground and rub it down between the bark.
-
-This work was great fun and was finished by noon.
-Then the question of windows and door came up.
-
-“I have two sashes in the garage left over from the
-addition built to the house last year,” suggested
-Tim.
-
-“Then we will have to make real frames?” asked
-Jane.
-
-“No’m! They slides along grooves and is easier to
-shet when a shower comes up. If you had pulleys and
-fittin’s like city houses they’d always be ketchin’ and
-out of order,” said Tim.
-
-So the donation of two nice windows was gratefully
-accepted and the extra time saved was given to
-the door. This was a difficult thing to make as real
-hinges and a catch had to be fitted. Before the saddle
-and strike were done, the girls felt that doors were
-indeed an invention of the evil one to make folks want
-to swear. Fingers were bruised, and heads bumped as
-each girl declared *she* could do it—it was so easy!
-
-But the door was finally hung—with Tim’s help—and
-then the cabin was ready for furniture. The
-Brownies had carried in all the packing cases saved
-from the freight, and Mrs. Hubert had a remnant of
-pantasote in the loft of the house, left from the covering
-of her window seats.
-
-While the Brownies made and painted totems and
-crude decorations, the girls made and upholstered box-furniture,
-and in a week’s time, the cabin was ready
-for company. The visitors in this case consisted of
-Mrs. Hubert and Tim’s wife.
-
-“This cabin beats the one we made on the farm all
-to smithereens!” exulted Zan, admiring the inside and
-then stepping out to compliment the Little Lodge on the
-floral decorations and Woodcraft tokens they had
-made.
-
-“We can keep all our Woodcraft stuff in here and
-when one of us wants to be alone she can sit in here
-and read or snooze,” added Jane.
-
-“I’ll put the box of books in here and you girls
-can help yourselves,” said Eleanor, generously.
-
-“How about it—did they come?” asked Zan,
-curiously.
-
-“Tim said the box was at the station and he is going
-to bring it in the morning,” replied Eleanor.
-
-Miss Miller was right on the spot when the box was
-taken from the automobile and Eleanor brought the
-hammer and driver to pry off the top boards. As expected,
-the Guide found trashy paper novels inside and
-a note from Eleanor’s mother. This the girl read
-aloud.
-
- “Dear Ella:
-
- As you are camping where rain and dirt will spoil a
- good book I bought a lot from a 10-cent store and
- from a second-hand shop downtown. It won’t hurt if
- these do get wet, so don’t worry over them. I tried to
- buy your favourite authors—Lila Jane Lilly is one,
- isn’t she? And the Dutchie another. If the other
- girls want to read them, be generous and let them,“
-
- --Lovingly,
- :small-caps:`Mother.`”
-
-“Humph! I should say a thorough soaking of rain
-would improve these books vastly,” remarked the Guide
-as she gingerly turned the pages of the first few removed
-from the box. “In fact, if we could soak them
-back to pulp again and forever wash away the effects
-of the text, what a benefaction the world would
-have!”
-
-“Are you jesting, Miss Miller?” wondered Eleanor.
-
-“Jesting! At such criminal thoughts as these
-stories implant in the minds of adolescent girls and
-boys? Why, the woman who made such a fortune out
-of gullible young things ought to be condemned to
-purgatory—only we know there isn’t such a place!”
-fumed the Guide, righteously indignant.
-
-“I’ve read most of her books and I never saw anything
-bad. They were grand—and full of wonderful
-romance!” defended Eleanor.
-
-“If the ‘bad’ was exposed your mother wouldn’t
-have had you read them, and your appetite would have
-been improved. But so subtle is the viciousness of
-such stuff that you now don’t want to read a sweet
-wholesome story like ‘Pollyanna’ or similar girls’
-books. Do you suppose a mortal with a craving for
-liquor or tobacco is satisfied with cold water or home-made
-bread? So it is with a perverted appetite for sex
-stories and thrills—you won’t content yourself with
-uplifting literature but demand more and more of the
-degrading kind!”
-
-“But these books are not sex stuff!” cried Eleanor.
-
-“Just as bad. And their influence is the same as
-that created by drink or dope.”
-
-As the Guide spoke she looked through the remainder
-of the collection and sighed as she thought of
-the density of some parents. “Saving a few pence for
-fine clothing, and economising on reading for their
-children! Clothing the exterior with ‘fine feathers,’
-and feeding the mind with swill! Considering money
-wasted on good reasonably priced books and squandering
-wholesale, the spiritual, moral, mental and physical
-fibre of their children! Never sparing a thought as to
-the ultimate effects of trashy books and ignoring the
-outcome of deteriorating sensations in the young because
-they are so anxious to add to a savings account
-for the future! Just as long as the book—white or
-yellow—(mattered not) kept the reader occupied and
-quiet for a time, that the mother might finish the extra
-frill on the schooldress or party costume.”
-
-As Miss Miller concluded her excited vituperation
-on the prevalent disease of contagious novels, Eleanor
-was too angry to reply. Finally, however, she managed
-to say:
-
-“If you had any decent story at camp I wouldn’t
-have sent for any books. But I hunted that first night
-and couldn’t see a single magazine or book.”
-
-“If you had sought in the house you would have
-found a great bookcase full!” retorted Jane, angry at
-implied oversight.
-
-“We-el, yes, I saw them afterward. While I was
-waiting for my box to come, I read a few,” admitted
-Eleanor.
-
-“Well, what was it—did you like ’em?” asked Zan.
-
-“Oh, I found one called ‘The Right Princess’ and
-another by the same author ‘The Opened Shutters,’
-that were pretty good for kid stories,” said Eleanor, as
-if in apology.
-
-“Kid story! Well, there are more grown-ups and
-parents enjoy those kind of books than kids, let me tell
-you!” said Jane.
-
-“And you will find many more such books in that
-case, too, Eleanor,” added Mrs. Hubert.
-
-“Yes, I noticed them. I thought I would start and
-read them if these didn’t get here soon. I did begin
-one last night!” confessed Eleanor.
-
-“I wish you would read them instead of these and
-permit me to return these at once. I cannot have them
-in camp at all!” said Miss Miller.
-
-It spoke well for Eleanor’s salvation and improvement
-that she agreed willingly to send back the books.
-But she hesitated to admit that she had found many
-books in the Hubert’s bookcase far more interesting
-than the paper-covered novels she had feasted upon
-hitherto.
-
-The daily and hourly effect of associating with the
-right kind of girls, and hearing good and constructive
-ideas, were making an impression on this character so
-like many girls who are not aware of their short-comings.
-And the change was being remarked by
-those about her.
-
-Miss Miller was too wise a Guide to draw attention
-to the efforts of the girl to be obliging and truthful
-like those about her, but she was careful to
-encourage and help Eleanor in every way she
-could.
-
-As is fully told in the book written for the Little
-Woodcrafters, the girls spent July and August in
-happy Woodcraft ways, and by the end of August not
-only were results apparent in objects made, but the
-cheerfulness and health of the Tribe proved how contented
-and enjoyable had been the weeks at Woodchuck
-Camp.
-
-Then came a letter from the Doctor saying that the
-men of the families planned to drive the cars to the
-mountains and spend Labour Day with the Tribe. Mrs.
-Baker and her camp of boys expected to come in the
-doctor’s car.
-
-“Miss Miller, we want a Grand Council if they
-are all coming here. Why not invite other friends?”
-said Zan.
-
-“The ride is too expensive by train, and few have
-cars, you must remember,” said the Guide.
-
-“Well, then, let’s get up some new dances or games,
-anyway,” suggested Nita.
-
-“Humph! That isn’t the same as having company!”
-grumbled Zan. But the spirit of entertaining
-replaced any feeling of complaint, and the girls were
-soon at work devising ways and means for a Woodcraft
-programme.
-
-That evening Miss Miller took Zan and Nita aside
-and had a confidential talk with them. From the expression
-of their faces the secret was most pleasing,
-and during the mornings and evenings preceding
-Labour Day, the two girls were up in Huberts’ loft
-working on the secret plan. Miss Miller, too, was
-seen only at intervals, and it was found that a farmer
-from the village ten miles down the mountain-side
-had brought several young turkeys with the feathers
-still on. Then Billy found the feathers gone and the
-birds cooked for sandwiches, but where were those
-feathers?
-
-The afternoon before the arrival of the visitors,
-when the Tribe had been called together to pronounce
-judgment on a new dance, Miss Miller began playing
-a mandolin. As the waltz sounded two figures came
-from the cabin. They represented Mr. and Mrs.
-Eagle. It was Zan and Nita dressed in the Eagle
-Dancer’s Dress ready to do the Eagle Dance.
-
-The head-dress and edges of the dresses were bordered
-with the missing turkey feathers, and an edging
-of down as well as feathers wherever they could be
-artistically placed, made the two costumes most
-striking and gorgeous.
-
-Then began the dance. The two eagles circled
-about each other in a fluttering courtship. Mr. Eagle
-summoned courage enough to advance while Mrs.
-Eagle coyly retreated, and back and forth both danced
-and circled until finally Mrs. Eagle bashfully consented
-to accept the gallant’s attentions. Then he flew
-over to her side and as she turned to flee once more,
-Mr. Eagle enfolded her in his wings and they danced
-away with heads together.
-
-The entire dance was very well done, and the admiring
-audience applauded loudly for an encore, but
-Miss Miller said:
-
-“No, I just wanted to see what you thought of it
-before it was danced to-morrow. The Eagle Dance,
-done by the Zuñi or Hopi Indian men, is much more
-energetic but Nita makes a very good gallant, I think,
-and Zan a demure and willing lady-love.”
-
-“Indeed they do, and what is more, I want to get
-a picture of the costume. Zan, will you pose by that
-tree while I snap you?” said Mrs. Remington.
-
-“And let me add: Nita and Zan can claim a coup
-for that dancing costume,” said the Guide.
-
-The Little Lodge had become so imbued with the
-ambitions of the Big Lodge, that they, too, worked
-hard to present their claims for admiration. Tally
-Books were pasted up, bugs and butterflies, moths and
-grasses, birds’ nests and leaves, twigs, rush and reed
-specimens were arranged on a rustic table for exhibition.
-This kept the children busy and out of the way
-of the girls who bustled about preparing camp for the
-Grand Council.
-
-That week-end was perfect and word reached the
-village hotel Saturday morning that a number of autos
-filled with guests would need accommodations over
-Sunday and Labour Day. The unusual news speedily
-circulated and when the Doctor’s party rode through
-the sleepy little place every villager was out and curiously
-watching the sight. All those city folks at the
-hotel at the same time! What would poor Mr. Haskins
-do—and his wife laid up with asthma so’s you
-could hear her wheeze away down the lane!
-
-Leaving the luggage at the “hotel,” the visitors continued
-to the camp ten miles further on. Here they
-met a noisy welcome, and soon were seated under the
-pines telling the story of their trip.
-
-“Now then,” concluded the doctor, “if this Tribe
-doesn’t appreciate our sacrifices to enable us to assist
-at this Council, I shall forever after wash my hands
-of them.”
-
-“If you haven’t any vessel larger than the tin basin
-in our hotel bed-room, your hands will not be washed
-very well!” laughed Mrs. Baker.
-
-Everyone laughed, too, for most of the campers
-knew of the hotel which was no more than an elongated
-farm-house with a lean-to added at one end
-for a “ristrant.” This addition was politely called
-“The Annex.”
-
-“It’s a wonder Mr. Haskins found beds for you
-all!” added Mrs. Hubert, chuckling at reminiscences.
-
-“He didn’t!” retorted Fiji. “He dragged some
-husk-mattresses into the low attic above the ‘guest
-rooms’ and told us boys we had to sleep there. I have
-to wash at the pump ’cause he hasn’t enough basins
-to go round!”
-
-.. ---File: 328.png
-
-“There’s the lake—don’t draw on the limited supply
-of rain-water from the pump!” laughed Mrs.
-Remington.
-
-In spite of quarters and accommodations at the
-“hotel,” however, the visiting party declared they
-had never had a better time than this Labour Day
-Council Meeting.
-
-The lake offered many exciting sports, swimming
-and fishing not the least of them. The hiking, Councils,
-games, and other diversions of camp-life filled
-every moment till the early morning after Labour
-Day when everyone had to rush madly about to pick
-up articles over-looked in the hasty packing of baggage,
-for the girls and Miss Miller were to ride back
-in the cars with the visitors.
-
-When they were gone, and the Brownies went to
-say good-bye to the lake and camp-grounds, Mrs. Hubert
-turned to Mrs. Remington and said:
-
-“Well, I guess they had a good time at this camp?”
-
-“They certainly did—a glorious Summer and filled
-with good work,” replied Mrs. Remington.
-
-“When I think of Paul over-coming his whining
-ways, your little Teddy more considerate of his little
-friends, Tammy losing his dependence on others, Betty
-not half so shy, Billy and Edith eager to help others
-instead of enjoying themselves, I say, God bless the
-Brownies,” sighed Mrs. Hubert, gratefully.
-
-“But you’ve said not a word about the Big Lodge!
-How about Eleanor Wilbur? Did you ever see such
-wonderful improvement in anyone? And our boys,
-too. Mrs. Baker certainly deserves unlimited thanks
-for the way they show camp training. Then there are
-those new members, and our five old ones—perhaps
-you and I show the general uplift the others do, too!”
-said Mrs. Remington, smilingly.
-
-“I may not show it but I feel it,” responded Mrs.
-Hubert.
-
-“Who can help being ‘born again’ with the simple
-life in grand old forests near a lake of pure water?
-Nature is the Wonder Worker in selfish, morbid, erroneous
-characters, and the marvel grows as each one
-rises higher and reaches out for God unconsciously
-until he arrives at a resting-place. Then the mist disappears
-and he catches a glimpse of the glories of the
-wide horizon’s promised Heaven.”
-
-At the last words, the key clicked in the front door
-and the two ladies turned to join the rest of the party
-who were following Tim toward the large touring-car
-waiting at the end of the woodland path.
-
-.. class:: center
-
- THE END
-
------
-
-**This Isn’t All!**
-
-Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have
-made in this book?
-
-Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures
-and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same
-author?
-
-On the *reverse side* of the wrapper which comes with this book,
-you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at
-the same store where you got this book.
-
-**Don’t throw away the Wrapper**
-
-Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have.
-But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a
-complete catalog.
-
------
-
-GIRL SCOUTS SERIES
-
-By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
-
-Author of the “Polly Brewster Books”
-
-Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated
-
-Each Volume Complete in Itself.
-
-Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the
-Tom Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are
-delightful stores of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful
-surroundings and are filled with stirring adventures.
-
-GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP
-
-This is a story which centers around the making and the
-enjoying of a mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively
-troop of Girl Scouts. The charm of living in the woods, of
-learning woodcraft of all sorts, of adventuring into the unknown,
-combine to make a busy and an exciting summer
-for the girls.
-
-GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS
-
-New scenery, new problems of camping, association with
-a neighboring camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip
-with them through the Fulton Chain, all in the setting of
-the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the girls enlargement
-of horizon, new development, and new joys.
-
-GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES
-
-On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as
-the Continental Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails,
-canoeing through canyons, shooting rapids, encountering a
-landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand storm, wild animals,
-and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with unforgettable
-experiences.
-
-GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO
-
-The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona
-and New Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe
-trail, cross the Painted Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon.
-Their exciting adventures form a most interesting story.
-
-GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS
-
-The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California
-and incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion
-picture director in Hollywood to offer to produce a
-film that stars the Girl Scouts of America.
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP. :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
------
-
-THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES
-
-By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
-
-Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
-
-Every Volume Complete in Itself.
-
-A delightful series for girls in which they will follow
-Polly and Eleanor through many interesting
-adventures and enjoyable trips to various places in
-the United States, Europe and South America.
-
- | POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT
- | POLLY AND ELEANOR
- | POLLY IN NEW YORK
- | POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD
- | POLLY’S BUSINESS VENTURE
- | POLLY’S SOUTHERN CRUISE
- | POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA
- | POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST
- | POLLY IN ALASKA
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
------
-
-THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES
-
-By LAURA LEE HOPE
-
-Author of the “Bobbsey Twins,” “Bunny Brown” Series, Etc.
-
-Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.
-
-Every Volume Complete in Itself.
-
-These tales take in the various adventures participated
-in by several bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life.
-
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE;
- | Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE;
- | Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR;
- | Or, The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP;
- | Or, Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA;
- | Or, Wintering in the Sunny South.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW;
- | Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND;
- | Or, A Cave and What it Contained.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE;
- | Or, Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE;
- | Or, Doing Their Best For the Soldiers.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT;
- | Or, A Wreck and A Rescue.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE;
- | Or, The Hermit of Moonlight Falls.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE;
- | Or, The Girl Miner of Gold Run.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE;
- | Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains.
- |
- | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD;
- | Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock.
-
------
-
-THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS
-
-By LAURA LEE HOPE
-
-Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by THELMA GOOCH
-
-Every Volume Complete in Itself
-
-The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York
-City. Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat
-uptown, while Margy just out of a business school, obtained a
-position as a private secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and
-businesslike, took what she called a “job” in a department store.
-
-THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE; Or, Facing the Great World.
-
-A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.
-
-THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S QUEER INHERITANCE; Or, The Worth of a Name.
-
-The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left
-an unusual inheritance. This tale continues the struggles of all
-the girls for existence.
-
-THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE’S GREAT PROBLEM; Or, Face to Face With a Crisis.
-
-Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day
-faced with the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery
-as well as exciting girlish happenings.
-
-THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN’S STRANGE BOARDER; Or, The Girl From Bronx Park.
-
-Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl,
-whose real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the
-girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise.
-
-THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION; Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm.
-
-The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks—and
-fall in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings.
-How they came to the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a
-queer mystery, is well related.
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
------
-
-THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS
-
-Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.
-
-Every Volume Complete in Itself.
-
-Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed
-herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that
-Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment,
-while still at high school, she took charge of the woman’s page for a
-city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that
-she left school to take entire charge of the woman’s page for the
-largest daily in an important Eastern city.
-
-Mrs. Garis turned to girls’ books directly after her marriage,
-and of these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies
-them and depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.
-
- | BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER
- | BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE
- | GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD
- | GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL
- | JOAN: JUST GIRL
- | JOAN’S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE
- | CONNIE LORING’S AMBITION
- | CONNIE LORING’S DILEMMA
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
------
-
-CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS
-
-Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
-
-THE MARJORIE BOOKS
-
-Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to
-mischief, but full of goodness and sincerity. In her
-and her friends every girl reader will see much of
-her own love of fun, play and adventure.
-
- | MARJORIE’S VACATION
- | MARJORIE’S BUSY DAYS
- | MARJORIE’S NEW FRIEND
- | MARJORIE IN COMMAND
- | MARJORIE’S MAYTIME
- | MARJORIE AT SEACOTE
-
-THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES
-
-Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde,
-sweet, serious, timid and a little slow, and Dorothy
-Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, high
-tempered, full of mischief and always getting into
-scrapes.
-
- | TWO LITTLE WOMEN
- | TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE
- | TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY
-
-THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS
-
-Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their
-games, their pranks, their joys and sorrows, are told
-in a manner which makes the stories “really true”
-to young readers.
-
- | DICK AND DOLLY
- | DICK AND DOLLY’S ADVENTURES
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
------
-
-THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS
-
-By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE
-
-Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by
-WALTER S. ROGERS
-
-A new line of fascinating tales for little girls. Honey Bunch is
-a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to take her
-to your heart at once.
-
-HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL
-
-Happy days at home, helping mamma and the washerlady. And Honey
-Bunch helped the house painters too—or thought she did.
-
-HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY
-
-What wonderful sights Honey Bunch saw when she went to visit her
-cousins in New York! And she got lost in a big hotel and wandered into
-a men’s convention!
-
-HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM
-
-Can you remember how the farm looked the first time you visited it?
-How big the cows and horses were, and what a roomy place to play in the
-barn proved to be?
-
-HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE
-
-Honey Bunch soon got used to the big waves and thought playing in the
-sand great fun. And she visited a merry-go-round, and took part in a sea-side
-pageant.
-
-HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN
-
-It was great sport to dig and to plant with one’s own little garden tools.
-But best of all was when Honey Bunch won a prize at the flower show.
-
-HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP
-
-It was a great adventure for Honey Bunch when she journeyed to Camp
-Snapdragon. It was wonderful to watch the men erect the tent, and more
-wonderful to live in it and have good times on the shore and in the water.
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
------
-
-THE RIDDLE CLUB BOOKS
-
-By ALICE DALE HARDY
-
-Individual Colored Wrappers. Attractively Illustrated.
-
-Every Volume Complete in Itself.
-
-Here is as ingenious a series of books for little folks as has
-ever appeared since “Alice in Wonderland.” The idea of the Riddle
-books is a little group of children—three girls and three boys
-decide to form a riddle club. Each book is full of the adventures
-and doings of these six youngsters, but as an added attraction
-each book is filled with a lot of the best riddles you ever
-heard.
-
-THE RIDDLE CLUB AT HOME
-
-An absorbing tale that all boys and girls will enjoy reading.
-How the members of the club fixed up a clubroom in the Larue
-barn, and how they, later on, helped solve a most mysterious
-happening, and how one of the members won a valuable prize,
-is told in a manner to please every young reader.
-
-THE RIDDLE CLUB IN CAMP
-
-The club members went into camp on the edge of a beautiful
-lake. Here they had rousing good times swimming, boating
-and around the campfire. They fell in with a mysterious old man
-known as The Hermit of Triangle Island. Nobody knew his
-real name or where he came from until the propounding of a
-riddle solved these perplexing questions.
-
-THE RIDDLE CLUB THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
-
-This volume takes in a great number of winter sports, including
-skating and sledding and the building of a huge snowman.
-It also gives the particulars of how the club treasurer lost the
-dues entrusted to his care and what the melting of the great
-snowman revealed.
-
-THE RIDDLE CLUB AT SUNRISE BEACH
-
-This volume tells how the club journeyed to the seashore and
-how they not only kept up their riddles but likewise had good
-times on the sand and on the water. Once they got lost in a fog
-and are marooned on an island. Here they made a discovery
-that greatly pleased the folks at home.
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
------
-
-THE JERRY TODD SERIES
-
-By LEO EDWARDS
-
-Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers For Each Story
-
-Every Volume Complete in Itself
-
-Detective stories for boys!
-
-Jerry Todd and his trusty pals solve many a baffling mystery in
-their home town, much to the amusement of all who read of their
-adventures.
-
-JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY
-
-Having been duly appointed “Juvenile Jupiter Detectives” Jerry Todd
-and his trusty pals little realize how fast things are going to happen. First
-comes the amazing adventure in the museum in Tutter College. Did the
-mummy actually whisper? And did it later vanish of its own accord?
-
-JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE-COLORED CAT
-
-Cats by the dozens; cats by the hundreds; and most important of all, a
-mysterious five-hundred dollar rose-colored cat. Then comes the lamentable
-accident to Lady Victoria’s aristocratic tail; the operation; the overdose
-of chloroform; the funeral. There is a laugh on every page.
-
-JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE
-
-Jerry Todd and his pals set themselves up in the show business by transforming
-a disused clay scow of Mr. Todd’s into a floating theatre. And a very
-wonderful show it is! Certainly it leads the boys into exceptional adventures.
-
-JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN
-
-That strange hen? Why does it waltz? And what is the secret of the
-prowling peril? Then, even as the Hindu had earlier died so quickly and
-mysteriously, the boys’ old friend disappears. Then comes the final ludicrous
-climax.
-
-JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG
-
-Jerry Todd and his chums leagued together to help another boy save a
-peculiar invention of his father’s, a talking frog, from thieving hands,—wait
-breathlessly in the lonely brick house where the puzzle maker had met with
-such a strange death. Fun and mystery here!
-
-GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
-
-|
-|
-|
-|
-|
-
-.. _pg_end_line:
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diff --git a/35600-rst/images/cover.jpg b/35600-rst/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 13a1f6b..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-086.jpg b/35600-rst/images/wood-086.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d0a433d..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-086.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-132.jpg b/35600-rst/images/wood-132.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b8ad2c3..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-132.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-180.jpg b/35600-rst/images/wood-180.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d02ce17..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-180.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-195.jpg b/35600-rst/images/wood-195.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 00ad46d..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-195.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-197.jpg b/35600-rst/images/wood-197.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a85299a..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-197.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-260.jpg b/35600-rst/images/wood-260.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a2169b6..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-260.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-emb.png b/35600-rst/images/wood-emb.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4bae819..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-emb.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600-rst/images/wood-fpc.jpg b/35600-rst/images/wood-fpc.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 749ed7c..0000000 --- a/35600-rst/images/wood-fpc.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/35600.txt b/35600.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7a57172..0000000 --- a/35600.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10036 +0,0 @@ - THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City - -Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy - -Release Date: March 17, 2011 [EBook #35600] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE -CITY *** - - - - -Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net. - - -[Illustration: _DECORATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL._] - - - - The - Woodcraft Girls - in the City - - BY - - LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - - AUTHOR OF - THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP, - LITTLE WOODCRAFTER'S BOOK, - THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS, Etc. - - - - - - ILLUSTRATED - - NEW YORK - - GROSSET & DUNLAP - - PUBLISHERS - - COPYRIGHT, 1918, - BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY - - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - -Acknowledgments are made to Mrs. M. F. Hoisington for the photographs; -to G. Shirmer, Music Publishers, for "Our America"; to W. V. Becker for -the legends from his "Folk-lore Stories"; to _Christian Science -Sentinel_ for "Items of Interest," and to other friends who co-operated -to make this book interesting to young readers. - - - - -Contents - - - - CHAPTER ONE--CAMPING IN THE CITY - - - CHAPTER TWO--THE NEW MEMBERS - - - CHAPTER THREE--HEARD IN THE "SCENIC FOREST" - - - CHAPTER FOUR--THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND - - - CHAPTER FIVE--A PRIZE CHEST - - - CHAPTER SIX--THE LOST CAMPERS - - - CHAPTER SEVEN--CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END - - - CHAPTER EIGHT--QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY - - - CHAPTER NINE--A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP - - - CHAPTER TEN--IN FALLING LEAF MOON - - - CHAPTER ELEVEN--CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS - - - CHAPTER TWELVE--A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E'EN - - - CHAPTER THIRTEEN--INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT - - - CHAPTER FOURTEEN--WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK - - - CHAPTER FIFTEEN--SOME WEEK-END CAMPS - - - CHAPTER SIXTEEN--THE ADIRONDACK CAMP - - - - - -CHAPTER ONE--CAMPING IN THE CITY - - -"Girls--guess what?" exclaimed Zan Baker, a few days after the return of -the Woodcraft Band from their summer camp on Wickeecheokee Farm. - -"Goodness only knows what you have to tell now!" laughed Jane Hubert, -another of the five girls who founded Wako Tribe. - -"Well, I got it direct, so the truth hasn't been turned or twisted by -any one of you girls before it was passed along," retorted Zan, with a -gleam of mischief in her eyes. - -"Oh, is that so! Well let me tell you this much: if I had the rare -imagination that you have, Zan, I'd compete with Jules Verne," replied -Hilda Alvord, the matter-of-fact member of the Band. - -"Judging from the talent Zan has in telling stories it won't surprise us -very much to hear she is a popular authoress," teased Nita Brampton, the -social aspirant of the group. - -"I'll illustrate Zan's books," quickly added Elena Marsh, the fifth -member of the Woodcrafters. - -"Sort of shine in my reflected glory, eh?" laughed Zan, good-naturedly, -for all the girls enjoyed this form of badinage. - -"Girls, girls! This isn't hearing the 'wextry' news Zan holds cornered! -Give her a chance, won't you?" begged Nita. - -"It's this: Miss Miller wants us to have tea with her, to discuss plans -for our Winter Camp and to consider the advisability of admitting -another Band so we can apply for a Charter of our Wako Tribe," announced -Zan, with due satisfaction. - -"When is the party?" eagerly questioned her hearers. - -"Friday afternoon about four; and she also said that if we cared to -invite some of the other girls who are crazy to join Woodcraft to meet -us in the evening to hear our Summer Reports read, she thought it might -give them a fine opportunity to really understand what Woodcraft did for -us during the few months we spent in Camp," explained Zan. - -"Miss Miller can count on me being there right on time!" declared Jane, -with a determined bob of her head. - -"Me too!" added Nita. - -"It isn't likely Hilda and I are going to be absent," laughed Elena. - -Thus it came about that promptly at four o'clock on Friday afternoon the -five happy girls stood waiting at the door of the apartment occupied by -their Woodcraft Guide. As Miss Miller's professional business in life -was teaching physical culture to the High School girls at the gymnasium -of Clinton High, the honourary office as Guide in Woodcraft was more -like play to the efficient instructor. - -Immediately after the bell rang to announce the visitors, the door was -opened and a cheery voice called, "Come right in, girls." - -"Dear me, Miss Miller, isn't it just too hot for anything? And after our -lovely cool Bluff down at Wickeecheokee!" sighed Nita, as soon as they -were seated in the front room. - -"I will admit that city life certainly is an unpleasant change from -camping in the woods," replied Miss Miller, taking the hats from her -girls and handing them each a fan. - -"I couldn't sleep a wink last night in our stuffy city rooms!" exclaimed -Hilda who lived with her mother and younger brother in the ordinary -regulation flat. - -"I didn't either. I just gasped all night for some air," added Elena. - -"Well what are we going to do? We can't move the Bluff to the City and -we live in so-called modern homes where the only windows open front and -back--all except Jane's and my house where there is an extra city lot on -the side so we can have light from additional windows on the sides," -commented Zan, thoughtfully. - -"It is odd that you girls should speak of this matter the very first -thing, because it is one of the things I wanted to talk over with you -before any new members join our Band. If you all approve of the plan I -thought out it not only will give us air enough at night but will offer -the new Woodcraft members an opportunity to win their _coups_ for -sleeping out-of-doors for the required number of nights," said the -Guide. - -"Oh do tell us what it is?" cried Zan. - -"It must take its place in the order of business," rejoined Miss Miller; -"now let us open Council in the regular way, girls." - -"It won't seem much like a Council in the regular way without a fire and -the preliminary lighting of it," complained Nita, who was the -fault-finder of the Band but was fast out-growing such tendencies. - -"Why I thought you girls all knew how to light the indoors Council Fire -without the slightest danger of destroying anything about you!" -commented Miss Miller, as she went to a small cabinet in the corner, -where most of her Woodcraft material was kept. - -Taking out a small shallow pan and an earthen bowl, the Guide displayed -a squirrel's nest and some wild-wood material in the pan. "I brought -this from the farm for just such an occasion," said she, smiling, as she -placed the earthen bowl on a bread-board and handed the pan to Hilda, -thus silently authorising her to help make fire for that Council. - -"Does the bread-board signify anything?" laughed Jane, the tease of the -group. - -"Not having the logs or imitation fire-place for the centre of the -Council Ring, I thought the next best thing would be a square of wood -upon which to stand the dish. Then too, the bread-board gave me a good -idea which I will mention later," said the Guide. - -While she explained, Miss Miller had gone to the cupboard for the -rubbing sticks and the necessary block and fire-pan of wood. All being -ready for the ceremony, Zan, who was Chief of the Band and Tribe, began. - -The usual call to join in a Council was said and the girls sat down upon -straw mats in a circle about the fire-board. Miss Miller proceeded to -make fire with the rubbing sticks and as the faint spiral of smoke was -seen to rise from the tiny heap of wood-powder, the Woodcrafters called -"How!" - -The smoke thickened and the pungent odour of balsam permeated the room. -When the spark hidden under the black dust ignited the dry tinder held -close to it and a tiny fork of flame shot up, the girls exclaimed, "How! -How!" which is the Woodcraft sign of approval. - -The fire was now placed in the earthen dish and as the wild-wood tinder, -that was placed on top of the fire flared up, the dish was placed on the -board. - -"We will now sing the Omaha Tribal Prayer," continued the Chief, and the -girls stood up to sing while the fire burned in the centre of their -Council Ring. - -Elena Marsh, the artistic member of the Band and the chosen Tally -Keeper, now read the reports and mentioned a few items of interest that -had occurred since leaving the Camp on the Bluff. - -"Now we can hear the Guide's important plan," said Zan, who as Chief of -the Tribe, was not compelled to ask permission to address the Council as -all other members have to do. - -"O Chief! Even as our Guide spoke of a plan, I had a wild idea flash -through my mind and I wonder if it comes anywhere near to being Miss -Miller's idea," said Jane. - -"Share it with your brethren and if it isn't too wild to harness we may -train it to do good service for us," said Zan. - -"Well, you see, there's Nita and you and me--we all have goodly sized -grass-places back of our houses. Why couldn't we raise some tents as -long as the weather is good and camp out there at night?" said Jane -exultantly, for she thought she had anticipated the Guide's plan. - -"That's all right, Jane, but maybe Hilda and Elena and Miss Miller -wouldn't care to trot from their homes every night to sleep in our back -yards," replied Zan, ludicrously as usual. - -The others laughed at the picture outlined by her words, and Miss Miller -added: "I think we have a more important problem than camps just now. -Let us decide about the new Band first and discuss the out-door sleeping -question afterward." - -"I thought you wanted us to settle the matter before the new members -join us to-night?" returned Nita. - -"So I do, but let us first find out who the new members will be, and -then we can better judge whether they will accept this camping-out-doors -idea," answered the Guide. - -"Frances and Anne Mason told me to be sure and vote them in at this -meeting. They are just crazy to join," declared Jane Hubert. - -"And Eleanor Wilbur wants to join us," said Nita. - -"Mildred Howell told Fiji to tell me not to forget and propose her," -ventured Zan. - -"And I know that Ethel Clifford wants to belong to our first Band," -added Elena. - -"Well girls, you each have your new member to win a _coup_, but I -haven't much time out of school to meet the girls, as there is so much -work to do at home. Jack Hubert said this noon that May Randall was -asking for me before I met him. If she will let me propose her I can -keep up with you on this _coup_," said Hilda, whose mother was a trained -nurse, thus letting most of the care of the home fall upon Hilda's -shoulders. - -"She told me that that is why she wants to see you," said Jane. - -"That is very considerate of May Randall," commended Miss Miller. - -"Yes, and it recommends her for membership," added Zan. - -The other girls agreed with this suggestion, and the Guide then said: -"That will make eleven girls in all--counting you five. I think that -ought to be enough to work with this Fall," and Miss Miller began to -write down the names of the six members proposed. - -"But there are loads of other girls who want to join us, Miss Miller," -objected Zan. - -"I suppose there are, but better not add too many new members at one -time, Zan; it will tend to divert your attention from your own progress, -and individual work is most important to you at this period in -Woodcraft. Were you all experienced or old members of the organisation, -I would approve of enlisting the full number of members required for a -Tribe," explained the Guide. - -"How long will we have to wait before we can be a Tribe?" asked Nita, -petulantly. - -"If this experiment with the new members turns out well by Christmas, I -should think we might start the second Band," replied Miss Miller. - -"Goodness, can't we start a Tribe before that?" cried Jane, impatiently. - -"I thought the same as Jane--that we would be Wickeecheokee Band and the -new members be Suwanee Band, and then the two Bands get the charter for -Wako Tribe," added Zan, in a disappointed tone. - -"Some Woodcrafters have done that and found to their despair that the -new Band knew nothing of the work or laws and were continually calling -upon the first Band for help, but not being under the old Chief the -first Band had nothing to say about disciplining or advising them. If -the new members are subject to our Chief, they have to obey orders and -can watch our methods of work for their guidance, and that will spare us -many useless words and much valuable time." - -"Well, as usual, Miss Miller wins the day! Her reasons are as sensible -as helpful," commented Jane. - -"Good-by Suwanee, I'll meet you next year!" sighed Zan, wafting a kiss -with the tips of her fingers to an imaginary Band. - -"Girls, wherever did you find that name? I hunted through an Indian -Dictionary of names but couldn't find a thing like it," asked Miss -Miller, laughingly. - -"If a simple little symbolic name like that stumps you, Miss Miller, -what will happen when you join the Blackfeet Tribe?" laughed Jane. - -"Miss Miller, you know the usual formula given in charades--they begin -thus: 'My first is part of a name, you see, my second is also a part, O -gee!' and so on," explained Zan, while the other girls laughed. - -The Guide puckered her brow for a few moments and the visitors watched -eagerly for her to catch Zan's meaning. Then she laughed, too. - -"I see! Su--comes from Suzanne, the name of our Chief, but so seldom -used that I forgot she ever had another handle to it than just 'Zan.' I -must give up the rest of the charade, however." - -"Maybe it is buried so deep that the uninitiated cannot dig it up, but -we girls thought it quite simple: 'Su' for the Chief, as you said; 'Wa' -for Wako Tribe--plain enough; and 'nee' for all the other members who -are willing to change their names from white man's ways to the Indian's -with its wealth of meaning and beauty." - -As Zan explained, the Guide shook her head as if to admit that it -certainly had been buried far beyond her power to dig. - -"But it sounds pretty, girls," said she finally. - -"Mayhap we will have an improvement on that name before the Band comes -into existence, who knows!" sighed Jane. - -"The sooner we start with the new members, then, the quicker we will -know about the second Band," retorted Zan. - -"Shall we vote now to invite the six girls mentioned?" asked Elena with -Tally Book ready to inscribe the names. - -The motion was made and seconded that the names of the six applicants be -written on the roll and that evening they would be questioned and -admitted if acceptable to the Chief and Guide. - -"Now Miss Miller, if there is nothing else to consider let us hear about -your idea for a camp in the city," said Zan. - -"When I came into this apartment yesterday afternoon, its stuffiness -struck me much the same as you girls said: 'Close and airless.' The -windows were all open but that didn't seem to make any difference. While -still gasping for the cool breezes of Wickeecheokee I went to my den in -the back room and as I stood by the window that opens out on the roof of -the extension downstairs, I made a discovery! Last night I slept as -comfortably out-of-doors as if on the Bluff, and this morning the -English sparrows woke me with their chattering under the eaves three -stories above." - -"Miss Miller! Do tell us what you did?" exclaimed the curious girls. - -"Well, first I took a crex rug from the floor and laid it on the -extension roof to protect the tin from the feet of a cot-bed. Then I -carried out a four-fold screen and with the smaller three-fold screen -from my den, I made suitable protection about the cot. The camp-cot that -I keep in case of an unexpected guest remaining over-night was small and -light, and provided me a good place to rest. The whole affair, screens, -cot, and mat, took up but half of the small roof and early this morning -I slipped back through the open window and dressed, having enjoyed a -fine cooling breeze all night." - -"Oh!" sounded the surprised five girls. - -"You must have slept like a multi-millionaire on his sea-going yacht," -laughed Zan. - -"I did, and without fear of going to the bottom by a torpedo from a -submarine," retorted Miss Miller. - -"We have a wonderful roof on the back verandah--all decked and railed -in," remarked Jane, mentally picturing a row of tents on that desirable -camp-site. - -"I could use the rear porch that opens from our dining-room windows," -added Nita. - -"We have a box-like porch on the second floor that has a back-stair -going down from it. It is screened in and can be used for a -sleeping-place, I s'pose," murmured Elena. - -"Our flat-house was built soon after Noah landed so we have no -sleeping-porch, but I might hang a cot from the fire-escape--until the -police make me take it down," ventured Hilda, with a thoughtful manner. - -The others shouted with merriment at the idea of big muscular Hilda -swinging from a fire-escape over the street. - -"I have my lodging all planned out," now said Zan. "I shall utilise that -square of side-piazza roof over the entrance to Dad's office. It has a -two-foot high coping about it and that makes it perfectly safe for me in -the dark. I can use a screen, too, to hide the cot from the street." - -"You girls have all caught my last-night's idea so suddenly that I -haven't had an opportunity to continue explaining," interrupted Miss -Miller. - -"Proceed, fair lady, and we will hold our peace," said Jane, giggling. - -"As I enjoyed the reviving night-breezes and thought of you poor girls -tossing in warm rooms, I wondered how we might have an out-door place -and still feel secluded from prying eyes. Then I remembered the small -tents we left with Bill on the farm. Those of you who have roof-space -can erect a tent just outside your bed-room window. The tent-opening can -be directly opposite the window so that you can slip in and out without -dread of being seen by the public. What do you think of it?" - -"It's great!" exclaimed Zan, enthusiastically. - -"Not for me," grumbled Hilda. - -"Nor for me," added Nita, "'cause Mama won't think of letting me have -anything so original as a camp-tent within a mile of our house--let -alone on the front roof!" - -"If I speak to your father, who is so delighted at the improvement in -your health, he may induce her to look at the plan with different -conclusions than these you fear," ventured the Guide. - -"Maybe so; Papa said he would do anything on earth to have me keep up -this Woodcraft stunt," admitted Nita. - -"Zan, do you think your father will object if we send to Bill for those -small tents?" now asked Miss Miller. - -"Mercy no! Dad won't say a word if you pitch tents all along our entire -roof and on the front piazza, too, just so there's room between the -canvas cots for his sick patients to find their way to his office-door." - -"The public will think Dr. Baker has opened a Sanatorium," laughed Jane. - -"Or a Fresh Air Clinic for Flat-Dwellers!" added Hilda. - -The others laughed provokingly when they saw Zan flush for they all -liked to tease her. - -Miss Miller saw the sudden gleam of anger flash from Zan's eyes and -quickly said: "Girls, I am now going to indite that letter to Bill -Sherman for the tents--what shall I say and who wants one?" - -"One for Nita, one for Elena, and one for me--and of course Zan wants -one," said Jane. - -"I can use the same one Fiji and Bob had at the beach this Summer," -replied Zan, brightening again. "Jane, why don't you use Jack's, then -the extras can go to Miss Miller and Hilda." - -"But Zan, I haven't a place to camp," said Hilda, dolefully. - -"Then I s'pose you'll have to borrow some of my roof," returned Zan, in -a matter-of-fact voice. - -"Oh Zan, really! I won't mind walking back and forth every morning and -night if you don't mind my using the roof!" sighed Hilda with relief so -great that the others laughed. - -The letter for Bill Sherman, the farmer at Wickeecheokee, was given to -Zan to mail if her father approved of the camp-plan, and then the Guide -excused herself and went out to see if the tea was ready to serve her -guests. - -That evening the six girls came in and Woodcraft reports were read; then -they were invited to join the Band and the conditions of membership -plainly outlined. Needless to add, that everyone agreed eagerly to abide -by the rules and regulations read to them. - -On the way home that evening, however, Eleanor Wilbur whispered to -Frances and Anne Mason who were walking with her: - -"Of course this Woodcraft fun will be fine when we haven't anything -better to do, but you don't intend losing any other fun or meeting -because of it, do you?" - -"Why we are going to go to the regular Councils and meet with the other -girls for work or play, whether it happens when we have invitations for -other parties or fun, or not," declared Frances, the elder of the two -sisters. - -"Oh!" said Eleanor, a trifle disconcerted by the reply. Then after a few -moments of silence she said confidentially: "Don't you think Zan Baker -takes an awful lot for granted from us girls? Just see how she took the -initiative in everything to-night." - -"But Zan Baker is the Chief of the Band and has to take the lead in -Tribal affairs," explained Anne. - -"Oh yes, I know that, but you don't understand what I mean. I think she -is too domineering in her office and Miss Miller certainly shows a great -partiality for her. Of course everyone knows that Miss Miller bows -humbly at the Doctor's shrine just because he got her the position at -High School Gym!" said Eleanor, significantly. - -"Why Ella! It isn't true! I know for a fact that Dr. Baker merely -suggested to the Board that Miss Miller had resigned from college where -she had taught for years. Most of us knew what a treasure she is, and -the Board were only too glad to have her consider our school, because -the salary is half what she was accustomed to receive," defended -Frances. - -Eleanor kept silence, but Anne added: "And we girls feel sorry for Miss -Miller because she gave up that college position when her mother was -left alone and needed her at home!" - -The afternoon following the meeting at Miss Miller's home, Hilda fairly -bounced into the gymnasium where the Guide could generally be found for -some time after school-hours. - -"Oh, Miss Miller, I have the loveliest camp-ground!" - -"Better than the fire-escape?" laughed the Guide. - -"Better than the roof of a porch! And the funny thing about it is that -the janitor of our building came up himself and said: 'Miss Hilda, I -feel sorry for you these hot nights, so you can sleep on the roof if you -like!' - -"Miss Miller, I never breathed a word to him about a tent, but he took -me up and showed me where I could pitch a small tent between the great -water-tank and the square box-like place where the roof-steps come up. A -stone parapet almost three feet high runs all around the roof, you know, -so there isn't any danger of my falling off even if I walked in my -sleep--which I never do." - -"I think that is fine for you, Hilda," smiled Miss Miller, but she did -not add that she had spoken secretly to the janitor that morning on her -way to school. - -"Mother has no objections to this if I will take Paul up with me. Paul -thinks the plan a dandy one so he will be benefited too. I will place a -screen about his cot or mine so that I will have privacy." - -"Or you could hang a curtain from a ring at one side of the tent to one -at the opposite side. Then Paul could pull or push the muslin to suit -himself, and it would not be ruined by rain," suggested Miss Miller. - -"I'm so glad that we live on the top floor of the house, 'cause it will -be an easy matter to run up or down the short flight of stairs going to -the roof. When I told mother about it she laughed and said: 'You always -used to grumble about climbing the four flights from the street, but I -know how much pleasanter it is to be on top instead of under a noisy -family in a flat.'" - -"Your mother is quite right, and then the air is always better the -higher one goes, and the rents are lower--the last not a mean -consideration, either," added the Guide. - -Jane Hubert came in just then, and her smile signified good news. -"Father never made the slightest objection to the camp idea but he has a -still better one for me. He says he will erect Jack's tent on the lawn -under a group of birches that grow near the high brick wall at the back -of our place." - -Then Nita came in. "Miracles will never cease, Miss Miller. Not only is -Mama quite reconciled to my camping on the first-story extension roof -where there is a concrete flooring and a parapet to three sides, but she -is taking an active part in rearranging my bed-room so that I can step -in and out of the French windows without falling over cushioned -window-seats and gim-cracks standing about." - -"This is the best news yet, Nita! I felt sure the other girls would have -no trouble gaining permission to camp out. Now we only have to hear from -Elena, as Zan started in to arrange her tent this noon, I hear." - -"Oh, Elena told me that she could have her tent on the roof of the -side-verandah as planned instead of on the boxed-in porch at the back," -hurriedly informed Jane. - -"Thank goodness we will be able to enjoy the Spirit's blessing of sweet -fresh air that is free for all mankind," said Miss Miller, earnestly. - -"To say nothing of enjoying a continuation of Woodcraft out-of-doors -right in a great city," added Jane. - - - - -CHAPTER TWO--THE NEW MEMBERS - - -Miss Miller had secured permission to use the gymnasium for the weekly -Council Meetings of the Woodcrafters, so she was already there when the -members of Wickeecheokee Band and the new members appeared to hold -Council. - -"Girls, I bought some straw mats at the ten-cent store that I thought we -could use about the Council Fire," said the Guide, as the girls all -congregated about her desk. - -"What about those small logs of wood we worked at so hard to bark and -smooth down?" asked Nita. - -"I thought we might make them presentable and then cut and paint -symbolic totems on them to make them look like genuine Indian seats," -said Miss Miller. - -"Aren't they quite good enough as they are?" said Eleanor Wilbur, -pushing at one of the logs with a slender foot. - -"I thought they were fine when we barked them but now that we are at -home and a better idea has been given us I approve of following Miss -Miller's suggestion," replied Jane. - -"Dad brought home some more of those short fire-place logs when he came -back from the farm yesterday. He says we may want these thin logs for -some other purpose; and besides, since enrolling our new members we -haven't enough of these present logs for all to use. They ought to be -uniform so _I_ say we use the mats until we have the thick logs ready to -present the Lodge," explained Zan. - -"Girls--I have an idea!" cried Elena, the artistic. - -"Hold fast to it or it'll get away from you," taunted Hilda, jokingly. - -"S-sh!" said Zan. "Let her go, Lena." - -"About those thin logs we have on hand: Let's build an imitation -fire-place for our Council Ring to make it look as much as possible like -one in a woodland camp!" - -"Couldn't we place our dish of smoking tinder inside it and make the -artifice still better?" asked Jane. - -"Oh I say!" shouted Zan with such emphasis that everyone jumped, and the -speaker laughed. - -"Where's that red tissue paper we had for Decoration Day trimming of the -school auditorium?" asked Zan. - -"You'll find it in the property-room with the other stuff," replied -Elena, who had charge of decorations at school. - -"We'll line the inside of the logs and when the fire shines through, -make it look like a big blaze, eh?" asked Jane. - -"No such thing!" said Zan. "We'll get the janitor to change that -electric bulb from the chandelier and drop it, by wire, down to our -fire. Then it will shine as long as we need it." - -"I'll run and see if the janitor is around. Will he do it, do you think, -Miss Miller?" came from Hilda. - -"I think so, he is very obliging, you know," replied the Guide. - -"And I'll get the paper," remarked Elena. - -"You won't need to do that, Lena, because I have orange crepe paper in -the closet that I bought when I got the mats. I had much the same idea -in mind for those logs," said Miss Miller, going to the closet while one -of the girls ran for the janitor. - -The care-taker of the building not only changed the bulb in a short time -but assisted Miss Miller in rolling the logs from the closet to the -place where the Council Ring could be arranged. The girls built up a -square fire-place with a hollow opening in the middle where the electric -bulb soon depended. The paper was fitted inside the square and when the -electric current was turned on it looked like a glowing fire. - -This done, four candles were placed at the fire--one at each corner of -the square to denote the four corners of the earth. - -"I purchased extra long candles so they would burn two hours, at least. -Now that we have the electric bulb we need not waste the extra candles -for fire-light but save them for some other occasion," remarked Miss -Miller. - -"Everything ready now for Council?" asked Zan, looking around at the -members. - -"Everything we can think of," responded Jane. - -"Before we open the Council meeting in the usual manner I would like our -Chief to read from the Woodcraft Manual for Girls on page 10, where it -speaks of initiations and new members," requested Miss Miller, handing -the book to Zan. - -"'When brought into some new group such as the school or club, one is -naturally anxious to begin by making a good impression on the others, by -showing what one can do, proving what one is made of, and by making -clear one's seriousness in asking to be enrolled. So also those who form -the group: they wish to know whether the new-comer is made of good -stuff, and is likely to be a valuable addition to their number. The -result is what we call initiation trials, the testing of a new-comer. - -"'The desire to initiate and be initiated is a very ancient deep-laid -impulse. Handled judiciously and under the direction of a competent -adult guide, it becomes a powerful force for character building, for -inculcating self-control. - -"'In Woodcraft we carefully select for these try-outs such tests as -demonstrate the character and ability of the new-comer, and the -initiation becomes a real proof of fortitude, so that the new girl is as -keen to face the trial, as the Tribe she would enter is to give it.'" - -Zan finished reading and looked up to ask: "Is that all you want me to -read, Miss Miller?" - -"Just a moment, Zan. I now wish to speak a word to the new members about -what is expected of them. We will leave the paragraph about the -initiation trials for the last, then the girls will not forget what they -are to do. Read now the paragraph that mentions the new work for -members." - -So Zan continued. "'After the new member has learned the Laws and taken -the initiation tests, the first thing to claim her attention is that of -qualifying for the rank of Pathfinder and later of Winyan, then the -Achievements, each with its appropriate badge, which are described on -page 327 of the Manual. In time she will have a Woodcraft suit, but this -may come later." - -"Now Zan," interrupted the Guide, "turn over to page 18 and read (the -new members) what we expect a Wayseeker to do and be. A Wayseeker is the -first order of a Big Lodge Girl's membership." - -"'To qualify for a Big Lodge--that is, to enter as a Wayseeker--one -must: - -"'Be over twelve years of age. - -"'Know the twelve Laws and state the advantages of them. - -"'Take one of the initiations. - -"'Be voted in unanimously by other members of the group. - -"'Having passed this, the candidate becomes a Wayseeker and receives the -Big Lodge Badge of the lowest rank, that is with two tassels on it. - -"'The next higher rank is that of Pathfinder,'" read Zan. - -"So you see, girls, you six will be Wayseekers if you pass the trials -and fulfil the requirements just read to you," said the Guide. "Now Zan, -will you please read from page 24--the meaning of a Council Ring? Better -begin at the bottom of the page where I have marked the sentence for -you." - -Zan turned over the pages till she found the place indicated and read: -"'Why do we sit in a circle around a fire? That is an old story and a -new one. - -"'Then, too, a circle is the best way of seating a group. Each has her -place and is so seated as to see everything and be seen by everybody. As -a result each feels a very real part in the proceedings as they could -not feel if there were corners in which one could hide. The circle is -dignified and it is democratic. It was with this idea that King Arthur -abolished the old-fashioned long table with two levels, one above the -salt for the noble folk and one below for the common herd, and founded -the Round Table. At his table all who were worthy to come were on the -same level, were brothers, equal in dignity and responsibility, and each -in honour bound to do his share. The result was a kindlier spirit, a -sense of mutual dependence. - -"'These are the thoughts of our Council Ring. These are among the -reasons why our Council is always in a circle and if possible around the -fire. The memory of those long-gone days is brought back again with -their simple reverent spirit, their sense of brotherhood, when we sit as -our people used to sit about the fire and smell the wood-smoke of -Council.'" - -As Zan concluded, the experienced Woodcrafters cried: "How! How!" - -"I suppose the new members know why we called our Band Wickeecheokee -Band of Wako Tribe of Woodcrafters?" asked Miss Miller, with a slight -nod in the direction of the six girls. - -The new members looked at each other for the answer and the Guide -continued to explain: - -"Wickeecheokee is an old Indian name discovered on the ancient records -of the County Seat in New Jersey where the farm owned by Dr. Baker is -located. The English interpretation of the name means, 'Crystal Waters.' -Dr. Baker's farm where we camped last Summer has this lovely mountain -stream falling down the steep side to the Bluff which is a rocky ledge -over-hanging a pool of about a hundred yards wide, thence it rushes on -to the Big Bridge near the turnpike road. That is why the doctor named -his farm after the stream--'Wickeecheokee.'" - -"I wish to goodness we girls could have been there with you," sighed -Anne Mason. - -"'According to the Constitution of Woodcraft, our purpose is to learn -the out-door life for its worth in the building up of our bodies and the -helping and strengthening of our souls; that we may go forth with the -seeing eye, and the "thinking hand" to learn the pleasant ways of the -woods and of life, that we may be made in all wise masters of ourselves; -facing life without flinching, ready to take our part among our fellows -in all the problems which arise, rejoicing when some trial comes, that -the Great Spirit finds us the rulers of strong souls in their worthy -tabernacles.' - -"Each one of you girls is past twelve years of age, so that point is -covered. Now we will ascertain who of the new members know the law, who -are acceptable to this Band, and who can prove worthy according to the -initiation tests. You will all begin at the lowest rank if accepted in -the Band--that of Wayseeker. Now Zan, read aloud the initiation test -from page 11 of our Manual." - -The Chief turned back to the page mentioned and read: "'The trial should -be approved by the Council and be given to the candidate when her name -is proposed for membership--that is, posted on the Totem Pole where it -remains for seven suns. In camp a shorter time may be allowed at the -discretion of the leaders. - -_1. Silence._ Keep absolute silence for six hours during the daytime in -camp, while mixing freely with the life of the camp. In the city keep -silence from after school till bedtime. - -_2. Keep Good-natured._ Keep absolutely unruffled for one day of twelve -hours, giving a smiling answer to all. - -_3. Exact Obedience._ For one week give prompt, smiling obedience to -parents, teachers, and those who have authority over you. This must be -certified to by those in question. - -_4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article_, such as a basket, a bench, a bed, -a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc. - -_5. Sleep out_, without a built roof overhead, for three nights -consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.' - -"Now that you have heard what the tests are how many of you believe you -can qualify--answer by raising your right hand and by the word of -Woodcraft approval?" - -The six girls raised six hands and then looked at each other sheepishly -because the word "How" seemed so meaningless to them. - -"I forgot to explain that this word 'How' means 'yes' or 'thanks' or -'approval,'" hastily added the Guide. - -Then all said "How!" and the other five girls felt that their new -members were doing fine work. - -"Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while we are at it?" asked Zan. - -The Guide then demonstrated the sign and action, saying: "The hand sign -of the girls is the 'Sun in the heart, rising to the Zenith'--given by -the right hand being placed over the heart, the first finger and the -thumb making a circle, then swinging the forearm so the hand is level -with the forehead, thus--." - -Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with the meeting. - -"In case any of you are not familiar with the Woodcraft Laws I will read -them aloud to you. And Miss Miller, I would suggest right here, that the -new members write to Headquarters at once and order a Girl's Manual. -They will need it daily, and I can't spare mine, you know. We really -couldn't accomplish much without this printed Guide of rules and -instruction and guides." - -Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new members: - -"'_1. Be Brave._ Courage is the noblest of all gifts. - -_2. Be Silent_, while your elders are speaking and otherwise show them -deference. - -_3. Obey._ Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcraft Girl. - -_4. Be Clean._ Both yourself and the place you live in. - -_5. Understand and respect your body._ It is the temple of the Spirit. - -_6. Be a friend of all harmless wild life._ Conserve the woods and -flowers, and especially be ready to fight wild-fire in forest or in -town. - -_7. Word of Honour is sacred._ - -_8. Play Fair._ Foul play is treachery. - -_9. Be Reverent._ Worship the Great Spirit and respect all worship of -Him by others. - -_10. Be Kind._ Do at least one act of unbargaining service every day. - -_11. Be Helpful._ Do your share of the work. - -_12. Be Joyful._ Seek the joy of being alive.' - -These are the twelve laws that every good Woodcrafter tries to live up -to. Now if the Fire Maker will make fire for our Council, I will explain -the rays that shine from each of the four candles--one at each corner of -the earth." - -The Chief waited for Jane, who was Fire Maker for that meeting, to take -the rubbing sticks and when she stood ready to begin the fire-making, -Zan said: - -"Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo Omnee-chee-yaynee-chopi." - -The opening words of Council concluded by the Chief, Jane placed the -fire sticks in their proper position and began to saw back and forth -with the bow until a tiny spiral of smoke rose from the fire-block. - -The Guide watching, said, "Now light we the Council Fire after the -manner of the Red man, even also as the rubbing together of two trees in -the storm-winds brings forth the fire from the forest wood." - -Jane blew gently upon the small pyramid of black powder in the fire-pan -until the smoke grew thicker. She then waved it slowly back and forth -still blowing gently until a minute spark glowed under the black dust. -At that the girls all cried: - -"How! How!" - -Then a handful of inflammable wild-wood material was touched to the -spark and as the smoke curled upward filling the immediate vicinity with -an aromatic pine odour, a tiny flame shot out. - -"How! How!" again chorused the Woodcrafters, and the tinder now burning -brightly, was placed in the earthen dish and the dish set in the -enclosure made by the logs. - -With the flame bursting forth, Miss Miller quoted: "Now know we that -Wakanda the Great Spirit hath been pleased to smile upon His children, -hath sent down the sacred fire. By this we know He will be present at -our Council, that His wisdom will be with us." - -After this Zan read again from the Manual: - -"'Four candles are there on the Shrine of this our symbol fire. And from -them reach twelve rays--twelve golden strands of this the Law we hold. - -From the Lamp of Fortitude are these: - -_Be Brave._ For fear is the foundation of all ill; unflinchingness is -strength. - -_Be Silent._ It is harder to keep silence than to speak in hour of -trial, but in the end it is stronger. - -_Obey._ For Obedience means self-control, which is the sum of the law. - -And these are the Rays from Beauty's Lamp: - -_Be Clean._ For there is no perfect beauty without cleanliness of body, -soul, and estate. The body is the sacred temple of the Spirit, therefore -reverence your body. Cleanliness helps first yourself, then those around -you, and those who keep this law are truly in their country's loving -service. - -_Understand and Respect Your Body._ It is the temple of the Spirit, for -without health can neither strength nor beauty be. - -_Protect All Harmless Wild-life_ for the joy its beauty gives. - -And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth: - -_Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred._ This is the law of truth, and anyone -not bound by this cannot be bound; and truth is wisdom. _Play Fair._ For -fair play is truth and foul play is treachery. - -Reverence the Great Spirit, and all worship of Him, for none have all -the truth, and all who reverently worship have claims on our respect. - -And these are the Rays in the Blazing Lamp of Love: - -_Be Kind._ Do at least one act of unbargaining service every day even as -ye would enlarge the crevice whence a spring runs forth to make its -blessings more. - -_Be Helpful._ Do your share of the work for the glory that service -brings, for the strength one gets in serving. - -_Be Joyful._ Seek the joy of being alive--for every reasonable gladness -you can get or give is treasure that can never be destroyed, and like -the spring-time gladness doubles, every time with others it is shared.'" - -Zan concluded reading the interesting words of Woodcraft meaning and the -girls murmured "How!" - -"Now I will propose the name of each applicant in turn and the Band must -second and approve her admission to this Tribe if that is their -pleasure. As I call out the name will the girl please stand until the -vote is taken?" - -"Frances Mason is the first applicant," said Miss Miller. - -Frances stood and paid earnest attention to the next rite but Eleanor -Wilbur who sat directly back of Frances as she stood up, kicked at her -ankles and giggled as if the whole procedure were a huge joke. Although -known to the others, the disrespect was overlooked at the time. - -"Frances, is it your serious desire to become a member of this Woodcraft -Band?" questioned the Chief. - -"It is," replied Frances, trying hard to keep from crying out as Eleanor -pinched her leg. - -"Then learn the laws of the League as well as the laws of our Band. To -memorise the meaning of the Four Lesser Lights that shine from the -shrine of the Great Light, the Sacred Fire. By taking the initiation -tests as read for your benefit and by being acceptable to every member -of Wickeecheokee Band. - -"Are there any present who wish to register a complaint why Frances -should not be admitted to our Band or the League?" asked Zan, as she -looked around the circle. - -No one complained, but a stage whisper was heard from Eleanor saying: -"Everyone's afraid to speak even if they do know something against -Frances." - -The whisper was disconcerting but Eleanor tittered as if she thought -herself very witty, and as Frances took her seat beside the rude girl, -expecting to give her a piece of her mind, the Guide stood up. - -"O Chief! While you were addressing the new member, I glanced over the -Manual to see if we had omitted any necessary reading, and I find we -have all made a serious blunder. Whereas we have six applicants for -membership in this Band, the Manual clearly states that no Band shall -have more than ten members. We will be compelled to drop one of the -applicants." - -This unexpected news acted like a bucket of cold water on the girls as -no one wished to be dropped. After a serious debate, the Chief announced -a possible solution. - -"We will post the names of the six girls on the Totem Pole and at the -expiration of the period set for testing, the one who falls short of the -mark must resign or, at least, wait for the second Band which will form -at Christmastime." - -This plan met with approval and each new member then and there decided -not to be the one left out when the enrollment came. So the six girls -were admitted on probation. - -"Now Chief, post the names on the Totem and we will stand it near the -door where everyone coming in or going out can read who the applicants -are," said the Guide. - -"I s'pose you are doing that to advertise your club," remarked Eleanor, -unpleasantly. - -"Eleanor Wilbur! A Chump Mark against your credit, for you are on trial -now and must not speak out of order in Council without giving the Chief -the proper salute and respect," said Zan, sternly. - -"Why how ridiculous of you to give yourself such airs, Zan Baker! Anyone -would think this was business and not fun!" jeered Eleanor. - -"It _is_ business I'll have you understand, and if you wish to regard it -as a butt for your insults or disobedience you can resign this very -minute!" declared Zan, her eyes snapping fire. - -But Eleanor had no desire to resign from the only thing she knew of -where sport for the Winter days could be had. So she shrugged her -shoulders and sulked. - -The other girls were duly advised and then the Chief ordered the Tally -Keeper to enter the record in the book and to print the paper that was -to be posted on the Totem in as artistic a manner as she could think of. - -"Now before we adjourn, is there any request to be made in behalf of the -Band?" asked the Guide. - -"O Chief! I wish to ask a question," said Nita, standing. - -"Speak, O Sister!" replied Zan. - -"I talked of a plan while Elena and I were walking over here, and she -thinks it is fine and dandy! It will help us to remember the woods and -look forward to a camp next Summer." - -"Not that we need an incentive for that!" laughed Zan. - -"No, but in Winter we'll find it mighty funny to sit in this Gym and -fancy we are Indians out in the forests. But follow Elena's instructions -and you'll believe you're at Wickeecheokee all Winter," replied Nita, -suggestively. - -Nita sat down and Elena stood up. "O Chief! Nita and I wish to propose -that we imitate the woods by scenery. We can buy some cheap cotton or -canvas stuff and paint trees and rocks and the stream like those at our -Summer Camp. We can even go so far as to have birds singing on the -boughs and flying in the blue sky." - -Elena waited a moment to see the effect of her announcement and Zan -said: "The blue sky seems to be the limit with your offer!" - -The others grinned and Elena frowned momentarily. "Don't you think it a -good plan?" - -"Fine plan for a house-painter. But who under the sun is willing to stay -home for weeks and paint miles of scenery?" retorted Zan. - -"Why it won't be much trouble. Nita and I will offer to paint the scenes -if you girls will make the uprights to fasten the stuff on when -finished," said Elena, anxiously. - -"Have you figured out how much this may cost us, Nita?" asked the Guide. - -"No because I don't know how large we may need it. But any cheap cotton -goods will do, you know." - -"Miss Miller, we might find out about that," said Elena. - -"The new members can begin first lessons in carpentry, too," added Jane. - -After discussing the idea, and with Elena's added description of how -beautiful it would look--to have Pine Nob showing against the sky in the -distance, and Old Baldy back of Fiji's cave, the Woodcrafters -unanimously declared that they must have that scenery or lose all -interest in the Winter Camp in the Gymnasium. - -Miss Miller shook her head dubiously for she knew what a tremendous -undertaking it would prove to be to paint nicely all the yards of -material needed to enclose a Council Ring. - -"Anyway it will do no harm to get prices on stuff and the necessary -paint," said Zan, and it was so decided. - -"Nita and I will attend to that part of it if you girls will get the -cost of lumber, etc., for the uprights," added Elena. - -"O Chief!" said Jane, thinking of a plan to save costs. "Why not use -that side wall of the Gym and do away with that many uprights and -stretchers?" - -"O Chief! for that matter, why not use a corner of this hall and have -two sides ready made and substantial, and use the uprights for the other -two sides? With the scenery stretched on all four sides, who will ever -know there is a solid wall of city plaster back of two sides?" suggested -the Guide. - -"But it will be a 'corner in wood,'" added Zan, facetiously. - -"Wah! Wah!" instantly sounded from every old Woodcrafter present. The -new members looked about for an explanation. - -"'How' is the term for approval and 'Wah!' for disapproval, or no," -explained the Guide, smiling at the reception given Zan's wit. - -"Corner or not, that last suggestion is all right!" declared Hilda. - -"And instead of tacking the scenery on top of the poles and having it -sag between each upright, why not have a wire or rope stretched taut -from one pole to the next, and so on, and hang the scenery by means of -hooks?" continued the Guide. - -"I suppose such common commodities as clothes-pins would be spurned by -Indians," ventured Hilda. - -"I should say 'double yes'!" retorted Zan, slangily. - -"It is most apparent that Zan is associating with the 'causes' of her -slang again. She said this Summer that the habit was the fault of -hearing her brothers use it so freely," remarked Miss Miller. - -"This time it was the fault of Hilda's clothes-pins," laughed Zan. - -"Well anyway, clothes-pins are made of forest stuff and curtain pins are -not!" defended Hilda. - -"I will offer my services to the Band and inquire of an interior -decorator I know, to see what would be the best hanger," said the Guide. - -"All right, Miss Miller, you do that and we will attend to the rest," -added Jane. - -"I suppose two white-wash brushes ought to be better to paint with than -camels-hair No. 0," laughed Elena. - -"Use whatever you like but for goodness' sake, girls, don't put your -'atmosphere' on too thick! It will take an age to dry out if you do," -commented Zan. - -Then the Council ended with the singing of the Zuni Sunset Song and the -quenching of the Council Fire--in this case the electric current was -switched off and the log fire-place taken back to the closet. When -everything was in order, the girls left and went home, eagerly talking -over the beautiful scenery-to-be. - - - - -CHAPTER THREE--HEARD IN THE "SCENIC FOREST" - - -After leaving the other girls at the corner of Maple Avenue, May Randall -and Eleanor Wilbur walked on alone. May was large for her age, but most -enthusiastic over Woodcraft as she was a devotee of gymnastics and all -out-door exercises. - -"Isn't that Woodcraft foolishness a perfect scream?" said Eleanor, -jeeringly. - -May looked at her companion with surprise. "A scream! Why don't you -think it is splendid?" - -"Oh, it answers well enough when one has nothing else to do, but you -won't catch me giving my time to making things or helping work just to -boost a League that wants free advertising," retorted Eleanor. - -"Why Eleanor Wilbur! You know that isn't true. Why would the Woodcraft -League want advertising? They should worry whether we girls boost or -not. The cost of keeping this thing going is far beyond what we pay in. -That Manual alone is worth ten times the price we are charged for it. -Then too, each Band has the free right to make its own individual laws -and work or meet as it likes," defended May. - -"I suppose you are so mesmerised by Zan and Miss Miller, who are crazy -about the thing, that you can't see how silly the ideas of Council, or -singing, or obeying laws are! Of course the camping and fun are all -right!" - -"If that's the way you feel about it why not resign now before your name -is posted on the Totem? You know there is one too many." - -"Why should I resign when I want some fun this Winter? Resign yourself -if there is one too many! If I had the money Jane Hubert or Zan Baker -have for an allowance, you wouldn't catch me wasting time with your old -Band. I'd go to a matinee every chance I'd get, and have other fun, too. -But I never get enough spending-money to buy decent candy, let alone go -to a good show!" complained Eleanor. - -May made no reply but she looked at her companion, and Eleanor, glancing -at her as she concluded, read May's thoughts. - -"I suppose you are such a Pharisee that you couldn't think of anything -so wicked as a theatre or a little supper-party," ventured Eleanor, with -a mean sneer. - -"I guess I'll turn down this street and walk home alone. I prefer it to -any such company as you can offer me," retorted May. And that sentence -caused all the after trouble. - -"Old hypocrite!" muttered Eleanor to herself, as she went on alone. "She -thinks by pandering to the first Woodcrafters she'll push herself in. -But those five girls are too clannish to admit outsiders into their -charmed circle, and that sweet pussy-footed Miller is worst of all!" - -Hence Eleanor was not in the friendliest of moods when she met May at -school the following morning. She pretended not to see her and only when -May spoke directly to her, did she reply. May said nothing to the other -girls about the conversation that took place between them on that walk -home the day before, although Eleanor thought she had. - -The names of the six members-to-be were posted on the Totem Pole which -was placed at the entrance to the gymnasium where every scholar going in -or coming out could read the notice. - -At recess-time the Woodcrafters were the centre of attraction and many -eager requests from other girls to be allowed to join the Tribe, was the -result of the notice on the Totem Pole. - -"Just can't do it, girls! We have one too many as it is. A Band is only -allowed ten members and we have eleven proposed, so one has to be -dropped," explained Zan. - -"Which one?" asked Martha Wheaton, curiously. - -"We won't know until the time for testing is up. The one that falls -short will have to make a graceful exit, I s'pose," replied Jane. - -"It ought to be Eleanor Wilbur, then. She's going around telling -everybody what a farce the whole business is. She acts as if she had a -bone to pick with you girls. Did anything happen at the Council to -antagonise her?" said Martha. - -"Why--no! I thought she was enjoying herself immensely. I'll go and ask -her if she intends to drop out," said Zan. - -"But don't tell who told you! I don't want to get in bad with her--you -know what a mean tongue she has!" hurriedly cried Martha, wishing she -had kept quiet about the entire affair. - -"Hey, there, Ella! Wait a minute--I want to see you!" called Zan, -running after the girl who was making for the doorway. - -"What do you want? I'm going in to study!" snapped Eleanor, fearing Zan -meant to find fault with her about May Randall. - -"I just heard something about your way of looking at our Woodcraft work, -so you'd better make up your mind to-day whether you meant what you said -or not. There're piles of other girls only waiting a chance to grab what -you laugh at!" Zan spoke angrily as she stood at the foot of the -door-steps looking up at Eleanor. - -Eleanor half-turned at the entrance door and sneered: "I read part of -that poky Manual last night, and I couldn't find a single thing there -that would authorise a Chief to call down a member of the Tribe outside -of Woodcraft meetings. I can do or say what I please without your -over-bearing dominion of my rights!" - -Zan felt like throwing her Latin book at Eleanor's head, but Jane ran up -and whispered: "Forget it! Give her rope enough and she'll hang herself, -all right!" - -And as Zan turned away with Jane, Eleanor watched them and thought to -herself: "I'd better not say anything that'll get to that Miller's ears, -or she'll remove my name from the Totem without as much as saying 'By -your leave!' But I'll have it out on that May Randall, all right, for -tattling what she should have considered a confidential talk." - -Down in her heart, Eleanor knew she wanted to be a member of Woodcraft, -not for the fun alone, but because she saw what it had done for the five -girls that Summer. She longed to be a different type of girl from what -she generally was, but so all-powerful was her human will that it kept -her from doing or saying what she really wished to; and so cowardly was -the trait to make strangers believe her charmingly perfect, that she -generally found herself in trouble about one friend or another. Even at -home, she praised the maid to her face and then denounced her to her -mother. Had she dared she might have carried out the same hypocrisy -between her mother and father, but Mr. Wilbur was the one being for whom -she had any fear or respect, so she never misrepresented things to him. - -It was not the _real_ Eleanor that scoffed at Woodcraft and gossiped -injuriously about it, but the weak mortal self that was the wretched -counterfeit of the real and true Eleanor. The girl had not yet -discovered this duality in her nature, but she had felt a growing -dissatisfaction with herself and her environment since entering High -School, and this unhappy state of mind aggravated her desire to belittle -others or their efforts to climb to a higher plane of living. - -Had Eleanor stopped to diagnose her feelings and actions she would have -realised that the "misunderstandings" (as she termed the quarrels and -trouble resulting from her poisoned darts of gossip) could be easily -traced to the vindictive and malicious desires she entertained, while -the sweet and pure and altogether attractive qualities that had been -paramount in her early childhood years were becoming weaker and weaker -through lack of expression. So at fourteen, at the character-forming -time when a girl needs to be on guard that all undesirable tendencies -are carefully eliminated to keep them from taking root for all future -years, Eleanor, and those she associated with, were in a constant state -of confusion and irritation created by her stubborn and selfish -wilfulness. - -During the week following the first Council meeting of the new members, -the Band bought materials and began work on the forest scenery and -wooden upright stands. Elena, Nita, and May Randall were given the roll -of white duck to paint, while the other girls measured and sawed and -hammered the 2 x 4 timbers to make the uprights necessary to hold the -scenic walls of the woodland camp. - -All that week Eleanor had been one of the first of the Woodcrafters to -be on hand, but the moment the actual carpentry began, she would sigh, -and scoff, and belittle the efforts of the others, or wonder why anyone -spent good time on such foolish ideas! - -Miss Miller had heard rumours of Eleanor's gossip and she overheard -several disturbing criticisms made during the work on the carpentry, but -she said nothing at the time. - -Of all the people who knew Eleanor well, Miss Miller was about the only -one who studied the girl and understood the _chemicalisation_, so to -speak, of the processes going on within the girl's consciousness. The -evil desires were fermenting and souring her nature while the sweetness -and purifying elements were gradually being spoiled so that presently, a -Judas-natured individual would claim the victory over the true, and the -battle would be lost for the side of the divine and eternal self. - -It was with a thrill of gratitude then, that the Guide recalled her deep -perplexities over the waywardness of Nita, that same Summer on the Farm. -How she had studied every phase of the problem and finally won out to -the ever-growing betterment of the girl. - -"If I can only win the slightest hold on this girl's innate goodness and -learn how to appeal to her higher self, I feel sure I can weed out the -'tares' even if it takes a long time. It is well worth the fight for the -'wheat' waiting to be garnered," murmured Miss Miller as she reached the -Gymnasium door. Which goes to show what the Guide really thought of -Woodcraft and the privileges given her whereby to improve the morals and -manners of the girls entrusted to her care. - -"Everybody waiting for me to-day?" cheerily called the Guide as she -hurried in where the girls were waiting to hold a Saturday afternoon -Council. - -"Yes, we're crazy to pass judgment on the scenery. Elena makes such a -secret of it that not one of us has seen it since she had it sketched -out with charcoal. It's back there in that huge roll. The boys brought -it in the car a few minutes ago," explained Zan. - -"And did you finish the uprights so we can hang the duck?" asked Miss -Miller. - -"Everything is back in the corner where we decided to have our forest," -replied Jane. - -"Then we can go right to work and place our trees and seats, and some of -you can build the log fire-place in the centre for a Council," said the -energetic Guide. - -A hubbub of instructions and calls and running to and fro continued -after this for some time. Miss Miller tried to superintend the raising -of the "huge forest timbers." - -"Say! Won't one of you girls with nothing to do help me hook up this -side of the trees?" called Elena, anxiously, as she found the weight of -the duck too heavy to manage alone. - -"You've got the trees upside-down!" laughed Jane. - -"No I haven't! That's the way Nita painted this piece," retorted Elena. - -"Why it looks more like an early settler's log stockade than the -beautiful woodland hillside back of the Bluff," replied surprised Jane, -eyeing the painting with her head on one side. - -"S-sh! Nita'll hear you! She is so proud of it! She says it is a much -better line of trees than my forest!" whispered Elena, proudly -displaying her art work. - -Zan came over to assist in hanging the duck and smiled behind the -painting as she heard Elena explain the various "scenes" depicted on the -great stretch of cotton. - -"This is the flat rock where we sat telling bedtime stories; here is the -swimming pool, and up there is Fiji's cave. I tried to get in Bill's -cottage below the Bluff but my paint gave out," explained Elena, as the -three girls lifted and stretched the canvas and hung the hooks over the -taut wire. - -"But the way you measured and cut the scenery, we'll have to unhook the -cave and Bluff every time we need one side open. You made the other -three sides all stockade, you see," commented Zan. - -"That's so! I never thought of that. We will have to omit one whole side -at times, won't we?" responded Elena, - -"Still, I think it will be easier to fold down or hang up a Bluff than -to hew through a great row of giant tree-trunks, Zan," laughed Jane. - -Finding Elena too serious over her painting to laugh or enjoy a joke -about it, the other two girls called that all was ready for the admiring -audience. - -As the group stood about the Council circle looking over the woodland -scene, some smiled, some sniffed, and some looked delighted at the -result. Miss Miller saw the disappointment on Nita's face and remarked: -"We joyfully accept this attempt to paint the cherished mental picture -of Wickeecheokee Camp--a scene that defies all words or arts to -describe." - -"But Miss Miller, you must admit that this scenery is misleading to new -Woodcrafters. We have ranted of stars, and streams, and the breath of -balsam pines; but where, oh where, is there any such 'atmosphere' to be -found in this painting!" Zan cried dramatically, as she posed and threw -out both arms towards the canvas. - -"Atmosphere! Good gracious, Zan, can you ask for more!" laughed Jane, in -response to Zan's call. "Did you ever smell such an odour of the -turpentine that comes from pine?" - -The girls all laughed but Nita complained pathetically: - -"If you girls _knew_ the job it was to smear all that paint on the old -stuff, you wouldn't poke fun at the trees. Why, the duck soaked up my -paint as fast as I put it on, so of course I had to use gallons of turp -to make it spread at all. Even then, it dried before I could shade any -bark on my trees." - -"You all say I am too matter-of-fact a cook to be an artist, but I bet I -could take a handful of the superfluous paint on those trees and knead -it into something resembling 'tall timbers'," now commented Hilda. - -"No one could! Why we had to hang the duck along the wall of our attic -and stand on an old library table while we painted the tops of the -trees! Just try to make bark or leaves on a tree that has to be painted -with a heavy kalsomine brush. Our arms got so lame before we painted an -hour that we fairly cried with the ache in the bones," said Elena, -defiantly. - -"Yes, and Elena's attic is so bespattered with raw umber and ivory black -that Mrs. Marsh says she will have to stain the entire floor now to make -it look decent again," added Nita. - -"Well girls, we are all genuine Woodcrafters, so we hail with -thanksgiving this scenery that fills our lungs with the pungent odour of -the forest. I, for one, will breathe deeply of this pine product!" -laughed Miss Miller, turning the criticism to fun. - -"Well, all I can say is that I feel grateful for these great stout logs -that will protect us from Winter's icy winds and the hungry horde of -howling wolves--the menace of pioneers in the forest!" added Zan. - -"They're all right in Winter but how about the longed for shade in -Summer when the fierce rays of the sun beat upon our unprotected heads? -We have no branches overhead," remarked May, whimsically. - -"Now you've all joshed Nita and me quite enough--let's proceed with the -Council," said Elena, looking beseechingly toward Miss Miller. - -So the meeting was opened and during the singing of the Prayer of -Invocation, the Guide focussed her camera and took a snap-shot of the -girls standing in the "Scenic Woodland Council." - -After the Tally of the last meeting had been read and other business -disposed of, Miss Miller said: - -"Is there any particular work you girls plan to do this coming week?" - -"O Chief!" said Nita, jumping to salute Zan. "We really must plan some -new dances for this Fall, especially if we are going to celebrate a big -Hallow E'en Council and invite our friends." - -"As this is the last week of September, we haven't any too much time, -either," added Jane. - -"Well, let's commission Nita to dig up some new and entertaining folk -songs that can be acted out in a dance," suggested Zan, looking to the -Guide for approval of the idea. - -"Elena, make a note in your Tally that Nita will find us some new -dancing songs before next Council," replied Miss Miller. - -"O Chief!" now spake Hilda. "When we broke camp for the Summer we were -all quite keen to win _coups_ for needle-craft, carpentry, and other -work. Besides, we want to secure degrees for some of the big stunts like -Mrs. Remington's Tribe have won." - -"Oh, that reminds me! Elizabeth Remington said she would gladly help us -to learn how to start the pottery and carpentry work. Then too, she said -her mother thought we ought to plan to have a Little Lodge attached to -our Tribe, as many Big Lodges have," cried Zan, eagerly. - -"It is very good of Elizabeth to offer her time to help you girls; as -for the Little Lodge, I would not think of it till your two Bands are -filled and the Tribe is chartered and well under way," replied the -Guide. - -"O Chief! Can't we start the pottery work first 'cause Zan knows a lot -about designing since she started that class-work in school," suggested -Hilda. - -"I was not aware that Zan had graduated from the School of Design so -soon. Did you really finish in two lessons, Zan?" teased the Guide. - -"Oh, you know what Hilda means--she thinks that now I can find out about -real designing we all can profit by it," explained Zan. - -"Instead of pottery which is a step beyond carpentry, I would suggest -that the Band make some objects in wood according to the Manual rules -for winning _coups_," advised Miss Miller. - -"Why can't you old members wait a little while and give us new members -time to win the flower, star, and tree _coups_ such as you earned at -Camp this Summer?" asked Frances Mason. - -"We can all begin together on carpentry and at times when we are not -together, or you new members are not in on some of the things we do, you -can catch up on those easy winners," said Zan. - -So the entry was made in the Tally Book directly after the note reading: -"Nita will find new folk songs for a dance before next Council." - -It read: "Begin some object in carpentry using own designs and material, -suitable to claim a _coup_ with all provisions met." - -"Now that that is off our minds let's have Miss Miller tell us an Indian -myth or story. We haven't heard one since that last week on the farm," -petitioned Jane. - -"And I happen to know that she received a package of books from the -Smithsonian Institution at Washington," added Zan. - -"How! How!" chorused the other girls, so the Guide felt called upon to -contribute her share to the Council meeting. - -"I really had planned something so different from this, that I must have -a moment in which to think," murmured the Guide. - -"Oh dear me! That's always the way with us! We are so impatient to make -Miss Miller work for her honourable position, that we generally manage -to 'cut off our noses to spite our faces,'" sighed Elena so plaintively -that the others laughed.'" - -"My original idea will not spoil by delay, so I will tell the story now -which is really much easier than the work I planned," rejoined Miss -Miller. - -"Well, at least tell us what your plan was and let us judge of its -merits," declared Zan, coaxingly. - -"I never satisfy idle curiosity if I recognise it, but I will tell you a -story of what happened to some Eskimo Indian children who indulged in -this undesirable inclination to their undoing. - - - - -CHAPTER FOUR--THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND - - -"This myth is told by the Sea Lion-town People from Alaska and is -called, 'A Tale of a Red Feather,'" began Miss Miller. - -"A group of children were playing ball with a woody excrescence which -they had found in the bole of a tree. It had been rubbed down and -polished until it was smooth and shiny as could be. - -"As they knocked the ball back and forth, shouting with glee if one of -their band happened to miss it, a small red feather floated down from -the clouds and blew gently to and fro just over their heads. As it was -wafted about in the eddying breeze, it attracted the attention of the -youngsters who watched it with eager curiosity. - -"It never came nearer the earth than just above the heads of the -children and as they speculated concerning it, one of the boys declared -it must be a magic feather. Another said it might be a prince bewitched -by an evil spell-binder, and still another said it was from a Red Eagle -that soared from the Happy Hunting Grounds. - -"The latter idea seemed to take hold of the children and they cried 'We -want it if it fell from the Happy Hunting Grounds.' - -"So most of them jumped up trying to catch it as it floated over their -heads. The tallest boy, making a high leap, seized it, but instead of -bringing it down to the ground with him, his hand stuck fast as if by -some unseen power. He struggled but could not release himself and -gradually he was drawn up from the earth. - -"He screamed, and his brother seeing the awful magic working, caught -hold of his hand to stay him. But he, too, was stuck fast to his -brother's hand and was lifted up against his will. - -"Then another boy caught hold on to the second lad's feet and he, too, -was drawn up unwillingly. Soon, all the children, then the parents who -sought to save their little ones, next the townspeople, and lastly the -dogs and cats and donkeys, and every living creature in the town--all -but the niece of the Town Chief were drawn up. - -"This girl remained sleeping upon a couch behind a screen and was quite -unaware of what was happening to her kinsmen and townspeople and the -creatures that had lived in the town. - -"The victims of Red Feather were carried up, up, up, to a great cloud -that hung waiting to receive them. There they were kept until the waters -in the cloud washed them all to bones and then bleached the bones white. -But that comes later. - -"The niece, strangely enough, was awakened by the great stillness. She -listened and then sprang out of bed wondering what kept everyone so -silent. No shouting of children, no braying of donkeys, no fighting of -cats and dogs, no bargaining of townspeople! - -"She peered from behind the screen and found no moving or living being, -so she quickly dressed and ran out to call, but no answer came. She ran -through the houses and found them vacant, and left as if they had been -abandoned in a great hurry. The canoes were still tied to their posts or -lying upon the beach, so it was quite evident that her people had not -gone by the water-way. The great mountains back of the village offered -no temptation to the villagers and the maiden knew they had not -disappeared that way. - -"She went home to think over this strange thing and as she thought, she -feared some evil worker had succeeded in making magic against her -people. Reaching this conclusion, the maiden ran out and stood near the -spot where her cousins first saw the feather. She, too, saw a tiny red -feather dance about her head but she was too troubled to account for her -friends to give the temptation another thought. - -"Having no curiosity or desire to possess the red feather gave her the -power to see it as it was. As the feather still fluttered about, the -girl was able to witness the whole sight of her people and every living -creature of the village excepting herself, drawn up to the black cloud -and left dangling there. - -"Then she ran back to her tepee and wept. She wept gallons of salty -tears before she became reconciled to her fate. But the tears relieved -her sorrow and she went forth to seek for a memento of her brothers and -sister. Where the children had been playing ball she found a shaving her -brother had whittled from the wood from which he was making a spear just -before he was caught up. She next found a feather from the arrow her -cousin had been making. Then she found a chip of red cedar bark her -brother had held, and a wild crab-apple blossom her little sister had -plucked. Lastly, the maiden saw the footprints in the mud, of another -brother as he had stood catching at the heels of his cousin. All these -relics she gathered up carefully and placed them in a blanket. - -"The blanket was securely bound by the four corners and the gallons of -salty tears poured over it. Then the girl blew her nose violently to -call magic, and poured the remainder of her tears over the covering that -held the treasures. - -"This last rite performed, the maiden carried the blanket to her couch -behind the screen and sat down to wait. After many days she opened the -blanket again and there she found a babe. It had a small shaving stuck -to its forehead. She took the babe out and tied the blanket corners -together again. Then she mothered the babe till it grew strong and as -fine as her brother had been before it. - -"After a time, she opened the blanket again and lo! there she found -another fine child, but a bit of cedar bark was stuck to its forehead. -The boy was also mothered and grew to be a fine lad. - -"The third time the girl opened the blanket she found a boy with a -feather stuck to his forehead. The fourth child had a clod of mud on the -sole of each foot, and so on, the children came until nine fine lads had -been mothered and reared, and then came a little girl who carried a -crab-apple blossom in her hand. - -"The ten children were carefully reared and taught many wise things that -all Indians should know. They had plenty of food and clothing as every -house in the town was there to take from. - -"One day, the eldest lad inquired: 'Mother, why lies yonder village so -empty?' - -"And she replied: 'My child, it is your uncle's town that lies empty -because of idle curiosity. And this is what happened to everyone living -in the village.' - -"Then she told the children the story as I have told it to you, even the -punishment that comes with curiosity and the payment demanded from any -who deem they can do what others cannot. - -"And the boy asked: 'Where is the ball, mother?' - -"She replied sadly: 'Ah, my son, I may not show you the hidden place of -that ball for it contains magic that brings evil to anyone touching it. -Better leave _skitq! a'-ig. adAn_ in the tree where it grows.' - -"But the boys were overcome with curiosity to see and try this magic -they were warned against. So, secretly they found the right bole of the -tree where an excrescence grew and it was cut out. They worked it smooth -and round until it was polished enough to play ball with. - -"The little sister had not been told of her brothers' mischief or she -would have dissuaded them--or at least, she would have warned the mother -that the boys had disobeyed her wishes. - -"They tossed the ball gleefully back and forth and soon a tiny red -feather floated over their heads but little sister warned them not to -touch it as it was the same evil magic that had drawn all their kin away -from earth. - -"But the oldest lad scoffed at her fears and clutched at the feather. -Instantly, he was turned to mucus, right before their eyes! And this -mucus was waved violently back and forth till it was stretched out into -a long thread. As it was pulled up to the black cloud overhead, one end -of the mucus still stuck fast to the ground and the red feather tugged -and tugged to tear it loose. - -"The second brother caught hold of the mucus and was turned to a -shaving. But this was whirled around and around until it spun dizzily -and one end of the shaving reached the cloud but the other still whirled -on the ground. - -"The third boy ran up and caught hold of it and was instantly turned -into a strip of cedar bark. After being rolled and pulled the bark began -to stretch and finally one end was up in the clouds and the other still -remained upon the earth. - -"When the boy with the mud soles caught hold of the red cedar chip, he -was turned to mud. As this was spun out, some of it was carried up to -the cloud while some of it still clung to the earth but a fine thread of -mud stretched between the two mud-lumps. - -"But the next boy caught the wild crab-apple blossom from his sister's -hand and stamped upon the mud from his brother's sole that lay upon the -ground. As he stamped he called to his sister: 'I am strong! Hurry--make -medicine to save us.' - -"And the sister cried: 'Be a man! Be strong and I will save you!' - -"But he was turned to a crab-apple tree right before her eyes. He was -being dragged up to the cloud but the red feather had great difficulty -to tear it away from the earth, as the roots had quickly grown down into -the ground. One strong root still held in the earth and red feather was -tugging hard to loosen it from its hold when little sister ran up and -jumped upon this root. She then climbed up the long-drawn-out crab-apple -tree, all the while making strong medicine and slashing out with a long -sharp sword. - -"The red feather flew madly about and when, at a mighty slash of the -sword, the evil magic fell to earth, its power was gone forever! - -"Then immediately after it came the nine brothers who were not hurt for -red feather had lost its magic to hurt any more. - -"And on top of the children came down the whitened bones of the -villagers, and last of all crashed down the remains of the dogs and cats -and donkeys that had lived in the village in the long-ago. - -"The wild crab-apple tree had not had its root pulled from the ground -before red feather was slashed down to earth, so little sister slid down -that root and reached the place where all the brothers, and villagers, -and creatures lay in a heap together. - -"She spat medicine upon her brothers and they each took a natural form -again, and were over-joyed at seeing themselves at home. Then she spat -medicine upon the bones of her kins-people and they all returned to -life. Next the villagers were brought back and then the dogs, because -they are man's best friends; then the donkeys, for they help carry the -burdens of man; and lastly the cats for they kill vermin but are in -themselves no other good to man. - -"So the people and every creature thanked little sister for the strong -medicine she had made to bring them all safe back home. Then she told -them that they need never have been dead or kept up in that cloud had -they known themselves and their power over all evil magic. - -"And from that day, the people taught their children first, above every -other knowledge, 'Know Thyself,' then the next thing the children were -taught was, 'Know that evil has no power or magic for one who Knows -Himself!'" - -As Miss Miller concluded the story the Woodcrafters cried "How! How!" - -"What a strange story--it sounds almost like an allegory with a deep -meaning," said Jane. - -"It is, and has hidden in its fanciful pictures described, the story of -the Adam creation, of the Fall of Man, the New Birth of a Saviour, and -the final resurrection from the dead when evil has been thrown to earth. -At least, that is what I found in it as I studied its text and realised -how much was buried in the words," replied Miss Miller. - -"Miss Miller," came from Zan warningly, "remember--I too have that book -from the Smithsonian!" - -The Guide laughed. "Well, what if you have?" - -"I fear you will be drawn up to the black cloud by black magic unless -you hasten to make amends for your deception," threatened Zan. - -"O Chief! I move that you tell us what evil deed the Guide has forced -upon us!" cried Jane, watching the two eagerly. - -"O Brothers--or in this case, I should say 'O sistern,' our hitherto -revered Guide wove magic before your eyes as you did not know that her -tale was but half the story in the book. Now I shall make strong -medicine and you shall see the magic leave her in our power," spoke Zan, -in a thundering tone, meantime, weaving a spell in the air with her -hands and fingers, to the amusement of the girls. - -Miss Miller, laughing, knew Zan would give her no peace until she had -accomplished her purpose--in this particular case, the conclusion of the -legend. So she stood up and saluted. - -"Ha! the medicine worked quickly, sistern!" laughed Zan, seating -herself. - -"The second half of this tale may be applied by each one here to some -profit," remarked Miss Miller, as a prelude to her legend. - -"The day following the one the people had been returned to their homes -and living, the boys found the little red feather in the dust where it -had fallen when slashed down from the cloud. - -"In great anger and spite they began to tear it to bits and throw the -down hither and thither. When they could find no further evidence that -the evil magic had once been powerful, they suddenly found themselves in -a snow-storm. - -"It snowed and snowed until everything was covered. It piled up -everywhere--on houses, stalls, town, and trees--all were snowed under -and no day-light could peep in at the air-holes or doorways. - -"Then little sister, who had been sleeping a long time, awoke and got -up. She heard the cries of her people who wanted air and light, and she -knew she must make medicine to help them overcome the evil they had -brought upon themselves through spite and mistaken punishment. - -"So she made strong medicine and gave it to her brothers to rub on the -door-posts. They did and the snow melted instantly so that they could -breathe and see, but the snow still lay piled up in the streets and over -the other houses. And it also covered the smoke-hole of their house so -that no fire could burn to prepare the food. Still the snow fell and -fell until it seemed that the doorway would again be blocked up. - -"Then little sister called upon her mother for help, and together they -made medicine and then called upon the birds to help. - -"A blue jay soon flew over the smoke-hole of the house and dropped a -ripe elder-berry down through the opening. As the berry touched the -snow, the ice and sleet melted and soon vanished so that the roof was -clear. - -"Now little sister took the berry and wherever it touched ice or sleet -or snow, the frozen magic melted and left off being. - -"The blue jay flew over the other houses and dropped a berry down each -smoke-hole. In many homes the berry was used as advised and these -families were soon out of the ice and cold. In other places the people -were too busy shoveling snow to bother with the blue jay's berry and -they remained frozen still. Some used the berry to melt a way out of the -house and then wasted no more effort so the smoke-hole never worked -right and nourishment was scarce. - -"When the bird had dropped a berry down every smoke-hole it flew back to -little sister's home and said: 'Now I must be on my way again. Who will -come with me to visit heaven, where I go?' - -"Most of the children were eager to go so they climbed upon the bird's -back or clung to his wings and feet until he came to the clouds where -heaven was hidden away from earth-dwellers' sight. - -"Once in heaven, the blue jay flapped his wings and rolled the children -off and told them he had to leave them for a short time to report what -he had done on the earth. - -"Left alone, the children walked about enjoying the novel sights, until -one of the boys saw a _djo'lgi_ sniffing about. He threw a rock at the -animal and stunned it, then he ran over and tore it to bits and -scattered the fragments about, although the poor _djo'lgi_ had not done -anything to merit this cruelty. - -"The children now felt hungry and said they would go and seek for -something to eat, as the blue jay had failed to return to help them find -bread. - -"As they walked, they came to a house where a woman stood looking -anxiously about as if in search for someone. - -"The children drew near and she said: 'Have you seen my child playing -about?' - -"And they answered: 'We saw nothing but a _djo'lgi_ and it we killed.' - -"'Oh, oh! You bad children! You have killed my child!' cried the woman. -Then she suddenly caught the children and pushed them in through the -open door and when they were all in she turned and said, 'Door, bolt -yourself.' - -"Then the children trembled when they saw the door shut and bolt itself -and they knew they were again in the power of black magic. - -"But little sister had had nothing to do with the killing of the -_djo'lgi_ and she now whispered to the brother who had held a firm root -in the earth when red feather tried to tear the crab-apple tree from the -ground: 'I will make medicine and smear some on you. That will turn you -into a cinder so that you can fly up the smoke-hole and get out. Then -find Blue Jay. With the medicine I smear on your head you can bring the -_djo'lgi_ back to life and let Blue Jay bring it home to the old woman. -When she finds her child alive and happy she will let us all go.' - -"The boy did as sister told him, and when he was outside the smoke-hole -he flew about heaven until he found Blue Jay. - -"So medicine was rubbed on the _djo'lgi_ and he was brought back to life -and carried home. There, a loud rap on the door made the old woman cry: -'Who's there?' - -"And the _djo'lgi_ answered: 'It is your _djo'lgi_, mother, let me come -in.' - -"She ran and unbolted the door and was so happy to have her child back -in her arms that she forgot to bolt the door again. Then the Blue Jay -led the children forth and they all went to the big house on the Cliff -where Blue Jay's grandmother lived. Here a fine feast was spread for the -visitors and after they had had all the juicy venison they could eat, -Blue Jay said: 'Come now, let us go to heaven.' - -"But the grandmother said: 'How can all these children crawl through -safely when the clouds open and shut?' - -"I'll show them how and if they mind they will get in,' replied the Blue -Jay. - -"Then they said good-by to the grandmother and followed after Blue Jay -to the place where they had to creep in under the clouds if they wished -to see the great Bill-of-Heaven who was known everywhere as the -Power-of-the-shining-clouds. - -"When they came to the edge of the blue sky where the clouds open and -shut continually, Blue Jay dipped his feathers in the blue to make them -brighter and meantime, some of the boys tried to run under the cloud and -so get into heaven first. But the cloud came down and caught them, so -they were turned into rain and poured down to help the earth blossom. - -"Then some of the other children tried to rush through, and of these two -were caught under the edge of the cloud and were turned to thunder, and -the others who only got a glimpse of heaven were turned to lightning -from the brightness of the glory they saw. - -"Blue Jay came back after a time and was sorry to hear some of the -children had not followed his advice but risked their happiness by being -rude and disobedient. Then he turned to the remaining children and said: -'I will watch for the time when you must rush in. I will call "Fly!" -then all must fly back and forth along the edge of the cloud till a -little rift of blue where a cloud lifts is seen. Dart through that but -never try it unless you see the rift of blue.' - -"The little sister was told to follow with Blue Jay as he would see her -through. Then cinder brother and a few of the others waited and watched, -flying back and forth until they saw a rift break through a thick cloud, -and quickly they rushed through and found the glory of the sun and lived -happy in heaven ever after." - -"How! How" cried the girls, some clapping their hands. - -Eleanor sat and looked scornfully at the girls applauding. Then she -said, "If that isn't the silliest nonsense ever! Besides, _I_ think it -is positively sacrilegious to talk in that way about heaven!" - -"Sacrilegious! Why should it be? It is the simple ancient beliefs of the -Indians who had no Bible as we have, and handed down these legends from -one generation to another to teach their children respect and obedience -to the Great Spirit," replied Zan. - -"You certainly can't say that calling the Power above by the name of -'Bill-of-Heaven' is respect! I almost shivered when I heard Miss Miller -use such blasphemy!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Why Eleanor, you are mistaken! The name is interpreted from the -original language where the Indians never even heard the name of 'Bill,' -so they could not use it in disrespect. In their tongue the term 'Bill' -means an entirely different thing than in our English, so we must not -condemn a thing because we are ignorant of its uses," said the Guide, -calmly. - -"Tell us the germ of truth you found in that allegory, Miss Miller," -begged Jane. - -"I told you before I began that you each must apply it for yourselves. I -can sit down and find a suitable lesson in it for the short-comings of -each one present," laughed Miss Miller, rising to close the Council -Meeting. - -As the Woodcrafters left the building, Zan called after them: "Remember -to bring a finished product of your carpentry for the next Council!" - - - - -CHAPTER FIVE--A PRIZE CHEST - - -The following week, every member of Wickeecheokee Band was busy after -school, working hard on their carpentry. Some had decided to make wooden -toys for the little ones, some preferred odd pieces of furniture, such -as a foot-stool, a tabouret, a waste-paper-basket, etc. The older -Woodcrafters were busy making more difficult things as they had had some -practise in the handling of tools and wood. May Randall, not to be -outdone by the older members, wanted to manufacture a Woodcraft Chest to -hold the papers, beads, and other things she would collect in her -Woodcraft work as time went on. - -"I never dreamed this work could be so tedious," sighed Ethel Clifford, -whittling away at a bit of wood that had to dove-tail into the other -section. She was making a set of fire-boards. - -"One never realises how long a time hand-made articles take. That is why -they always cost more than machine made objects," added Anne Mason. - -"I hope my tilting stools will look like the picture given in the -Manual," now said Mildred Howell. "If they don't work I shall give up in -despair." - -"I think they look great, Mil. Maybe you'll get a _coup_," remarked Zan, -who looked up from the elaborate bead-loom she was decorating, having -constructed the entire machine of wood. - -"I just adore that bead-loom you made, Zan," now said May Randall, -working industriously at the chest she was etching in pyrography. - -"I'll tell you what, May! If the bead-loom you expect to make turns out -half as fine as that chest, it will be better than mine," praised Zan. -"I never saw a girl handle tools as naturally and deftly as you do--for -a greenhorn, too!" - -May laughed in a pleased tone for honest praise is sweet. - -"What is Eleanor Wilbur making, girls?" asked Hilda. - -"I don't know--she hasn't been with us yet, you know," replied Anne -Mason, evasively. - -"Is she doing anything else besides making trouble?" asked May Randall, -in her blunt way. - -"I'll thank you to mind your own business, Miss May Randall," called a -voice from the door. - -The girls flushed guiltily as they looked up and found Eleanor herself -trembling with anger. She had stopped at Zan's house to leave a borrowed -book and the maid told her the girls were on the back-porch working. So -she happened there unannounced. - -"Well, are you, Eleanor?" persisted May, defiantly. - -"I'll tell you what's troubling you, all right--you dog-in-the-manger, -you! You're afraid I'll win out ahead of you in the test for membership, -so you go to work in an underhanded way to prejudice the others against -me," declared Eleanor. - -"Hardly, Miss Wilbur, for Zan just told us that Ethel handed her a -letter to be read at the weekly Council. She is to go to California next -month to be gone all Winter so she has withdrawn her application till -Spring," snapped May, with satisfaction. - -"Then there are only five after all," said Eleanor, a gleam of pleasure -on her face. - -"There may be only four--if one of the new members keeps on the -undesirable pathway she has trodden since applying for membership!" -taunted May, who had a sharp tongue at times. - -"Pooh!" sounded from Eleanor and Jane banged her work down loudly upon -the floor and said angrily: - -"For pity's sake, forget it--you two! We never had a single scrap like -this when we were at Camp!" - -"I'm not scrapping a bit," defended Eleanor. "It is that hateful old -thing over there. But as I am going now anyway, don't bother to shut her -up. I'm on my way to visit Miss Miller, so I will just mention the fact -that Miss Randall is running the Tribe now, and she as old Guide can -resign gracefully or be ousted by the new Guide!" sneered Eleanor, -slamming the door as she left the porch. - -"Can't we put her out, girls! I am getting to hate her," cried May, -spitefully. - -"You're letting your anger get the best of you, May. It has already made -you lose out in one test--same as Eleanor has. Besides, Eleanor may need -Woodcraft more than any of us, because the work isn't a matter of -pastime as much as for improvement," said Zan, who had had a private -talk with the Guide and to her questions about ousting Eleanor, had been -told some truths that made her think of Nita and the impatience the -girls felt at her in Camp that Summer. - -"Girls, since Zan spoke of May's Woodcraft box I have been thinking--why -can't we have contests in work and give a prize to the one having the -best product to show with the others at the exhibit?" said Elena, trying -to change their current of thought. - -"Let's do it! The one to win this Saturday, to have a suitable prize -awarded for the different points covered," said Zan. - -"It will be for neatness, utility, beauty, and time taken in the -making," suggested Jane. - -"I wonder if Headquarters ever started contests with the Woodcrafters -for certain requirements well-done?" wondered Nita. - -"Let's have Miss Miller write to find out. Maybe we can give them a new -idea," commented Hilda. - -Silence followed for a few moments after that decision and Nita began -humming a new Hawaiian air. - -"That reminds me, Nita, did you find any new folk songs that we might -adapt for dancing?" asked Jane. - -"Oh, yes, I have a dandy! Want to see me do it while you take a little -rest from work?" cried eager Nita. - -Nita never lost an opportunity to dance, and it was her greatest delight -to show her friends any new steps or figures she had improvised for a -Woodcraft Folk Song or Dance, which really is true dancing from -over-flowing joy in the heart--but not the so-called wanton dances in -vogue at the present time. - -The girls always enjoyed watching the graceful form as it bent low or -whirled around in the Indian Acting Songs, so to-day they approved the -suggestion to rest and be entertained by Nita. - -"I shall have to sing the words in French as Miss Miller and I haven't -translated them yet. The air is familiar to most of you and you must hum -it with me. Now I will sing and slowly step the bars while you try to -study the action and practise it at home," announced Nita. - - -SUR LE PONT D'AVIGNON - - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse; - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond, - Les beaux messieurs font comm' ga, - Et puis encor comm' ga: - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse - Sur le pont d'Avignon - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse; - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - Les belles dames font comm' ga, - Et puis encor comm' ga: - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse; - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond, - Et les capucins font comm' ga, - Et puis encor comm' ga, - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse, danse - Sur le pont d'Avignon, - Tout le mondey danse en rond. - - ---- - -Thereupon Nita danced The Bridge song to the satisfaction of her -audience. They applauded and encored until she laughingly consented to -treat them to their favourite dances. Many of these were steps invented -by Nita to improve upon the old folk dances. When the girl, breathless, -finally sat down, the other girls complimented her to her heart's -content. - -"I wish we could learn that bridge song and dance it for Miss Miller as -a surprise," suggested Zan. - -"Let's do it!" abetted Elena. - -"We ought to complete our carpentry work first," ventured May. - -"We haven't any extra class studies at home this week so we might -carpenter in the afternoons and dance at night," eagerly said Nita. - -"Why not come over to my house at eight and I will have the rugs and -furniture moved out of the living-room. Anne and I will be all alone -this evening as the others are going out," added Frances Mason. - -"That's fine! Who can meet at the Masons' at eight to-night?" called -Zan, looking about at the Woodcrafters. - -"We surely will--every one of us," accepted Hilda. - -"Well, don't waste our time making us wait for you. If someone can't -come let her telephone before meeting-time," advised Anne Mason. - -"Hoh! Anne doesn't know us yet! Catch a Woodcrafter being late when -there's any fun going!" laughed Jane. - -Every member was there before eight that night, Eleanor having been -notified over the telephone. A merry evening was enjoyed with dancing -and singing and most of the girls were sure the French Folk Song could -be mastered for a private exhibition on Saturday if they had one more -evening's practise. - -"To-morrow is Thursday and some of us are booked to go to those -Burton-Holmes Lectures, but we might all meet again on Friday night?" -suggested Zan. - -"Some of us could meet to-morrow and practise, and then all meet -Friday," added Hilda. - -"Where do you want to meet Friday--come to my house," invited Jane. - -As the Huberts had a large house with a splendid living-room, it offered -excellent facilities for dancing, so the girls gladly accepted the -invitation. - -Shortly after nine o'clock Friday night, while the Woodcrafters were -cooling off and talking about their successful dancing lesson of the -French song, Mrs. Hubert opened the door and peeped in. - -"When you finish dancing maybe you'll come to the kitchen and help me -make some fudge?" hinted she. - -"We're all through!" cried Zan, jumping up and running for the door. - -"So we are when there's fudge on the programme," laughed Elena. - -But fudge was not the only candy made that night. As Saturday morning -was a "lazy day" for school-girls, they could sleep an hour later than -usual. So there was no haste to get home and to bed that night. - -"Mrs. Hubert, you always promised to give us the recipe for your -fudge--it is so good!" exclaimed Elena. - -"Why, I'll tell you right now, and you can watch me make it, too," -replied Mrs. Hubert. - -"Lena, write it down to enter in our Tally," said Zan. - -As Mrs. Hubert itemised the ingredients for Elena to write down, she -measured out the quantities for the candy. - -"One cup of granulated sugar, one cup of powdered sugar, one and a half -cakes of Baker's chocolate, a lump of butter about the size of a walnut, -two-thirds of a cup of milk, and any flavour desired. I shall use -vanilla to-night as most girls like that. - -"Now I boil the milk and sugar, stirring all the time from when it is -first placed over the fire. When it fairly hardens so as to form a ball -when dropped in cold water, I remove it from the stove and add the -chocolate which must be shaved very fine, or even grated as it is -to-night. - -"Next I add the vanilla, and the butter last. Quickly then, I beat it -until it thickens but it must not sugar. Pour it in buttered tins and -when it is partly hardened we can cut it into squares. - -"In case any of you do not have powdered sugar in the house you can use -granulated but the powdered sugar makes it creamy and there is less -danger of crystallising while beating." - -The fudge was made and declared the finest ever tasted. - -"Oh, but you girls say that every time I treat you," laughed Mrs. -Hubert. - -"It's true, and that shows how you improve in candy-making every time -you cook it for us," retorted Zan, quickly. - -"Which interpreted means: 'Be sure and give us fudge every time we visit -you,'" laughed Mrs. Hubert. - -"You'd hear no kick coming from the Woodcrafters," added Jane. - -"Jane! There you go again with your slang! I thought Miss Miller was -curing you girls of that pernicious habit," said Mrs. Hubert. - -"We were cured, Mother, but you see our brothers were still ill with the -despised complaint and we caught it again, didn't we Zan?" said Jane, -appealing to her competitor in slang. - -Zan's mouth was too full of fudge to reply but she nodded her head -vigorously to express her feelings about slang. - -"Dear, dear, such girls!" sighed Mrs. Hubert, taking a recipe book from -the shelf and turning to a page of candies. - -"Girls, shall I show you how to make nougat?" asked she. - -Naturally they cried "yes" and Elena prepared to make another entry in -the Tally. - -"Always blanch the almonds or other nuts to be used. I generally keep -some on hand so we won't have to take time for that work to-night. Now -some of you girls skin these nuts and some of you can chop them very -fine. - -"For the nougat, I melt some powdered sugar, using a dessert-spoonful of -lemon juice to every pound of sugar. It takes double the weight of sugar -in almonds. We have a pound of sugar, so I use two pounds of chopped -nuts. They must be hot before dropping them into the sugar-syrup. - -"We ought to have regular nougat moulds like confectioners use, but not -having them, I have to take the flat tin we use for ginger-bread. That -is why I had you chop the nuts very fine--so that the nougat when it is -spread in the tin, can be cut with a knife. - -"Into this buttered tin, I press the nougat with the lemon skin until it -is all smoothed out flat. Then I quickly cut the bars so they can be -broken apart when it is cold. If we had regular moulds we could use the -nuts in much larger pieces." - -"I always thought that nougat was a dreadfully hard candy to make, but -it is as simple as rolling off a log," declared Hilda. - -"I just love it, don't you?" said Elena, sniffing the odour that rose -from the pan of candy. - -"You love any kind of candy. Your mother says you have a 'sweet tooth,'" -laughed Nita. - -"I'll show you how to make one other kind of candy and then it will be -time for you to go home. It is ten o'clock now," said Mrs. Hubert. - -"Put a cupful of powdered sugar in a bowl and add about a quarter of a -teaspoonful of cream, or at least enough to stir the spoon about in the -mixture easily. Be careful not to use too much cream, though, as that -will make it run and not cream itself. Now add a teaspoonful of lemon or -vanilla. We will use the latter for this cream. Next stir the mixture -well until all lumps are worked smooth like a paste. - -"Here, Jane, stone these dates but do not break them asunder. - -"Now girls, as the dates are stoned, you take enough cream to fill the -opening made by the stone. Then you stick the edges of the date together -again and roll in powdered sugar. They are then placed on an oiled paper -to keep from sticking while drying." - -The creamed dates were soon made and tasted. Some of the Woodcrafters -said they needed a much larger taste than a single date offered, and -Mrs. Hubert laughed. While the girls were away from the kitchen to find -their hats and coats, the hostess divided the candy left and gave each -amateur confectioner a package to take home with her. - -Saturday with its weekly Council found each girl, except Eleanor, more -than elated with the finished article of carpentry work to exhibit at -the meeting. Of the entire collection the bead-loom, tabouret, and chest -were considered the best. - -"I declare, girls, it is marvelous how neatly you have fitted the -corners and finished the edges of the work. May's chest is as pretty and -well-made as any I have ever seen. The hinges and clasp are original and -hand-made, too, I see. Did you originate the design alone, May?" said -the Guide, after admiring the objects placed in a row on the table. - -"Yes, and the copper hinges and clasp are cut and hammered out of an old -sauce-pan mother threw away a long time ago," replied pleased May. - -"And does the key turn easily?" inquired Miss Miller, lifting the lid of -the chest and examining the key-hole carefully. - -"I haven't found a key to fit yet!" laughed May. - -Then the Guide's attention was given to an investigation of the -elaborate bead-loom made and decorated by Zan as her contribution to the -contest. - -"Does it work, Zan?" queried Miss Miller. - -"Not unless it is supplied with motive-power!" - -"Then you must have tried it out with a bit of your tremendous energy," -retorted the Guide, smiling at the girl's bright face. - -"Not only tried it but finished a strip of bead banding that takes the -cake! I have decided to make enough trimming to decorate a new -ceremonial costume that will turn every Woodcraft girl green with envy," -bragged Zan. - -"That is a boast indeed! Did you include the Tribes of other -Woodcrafters in that challenge?" - -"Yep, everybody but Elizabeth Remington. She certainly has the loveliest -beading I ever saw, but then she has had two years' designing at the -School of Art," replied Zan. - -After many comparisons and due deliberation, it was decided to present -May Randall with the prize for that contest. As May was a beginner and -the chest was her first piece of work, it won a point above Zan's loom, -which also was a fine piece of work. Both of these objects were -excellent bits of cabinet-work and so neatly finished and beautifully -decorated that it was a draw. May flushed with happiness when she heard -that Zan awarded the prize to her. - -"I think the plan of awarding prizes for best work is a good one but we -should decide upon the prize before the contest is started each week. -What have you for May to-day?" said Miss Miller. - -"Well, this week we were going to present the winner a solid gold loving -cup but our Wampum Keeper reported a state of bankruptcy so we had to -sacrifice our wishes to conform with the exchequer," said Zan, solemnly, -while the girls giggled. - -"I suggested that we take a picture of May, so I brought my camera. It -can be pasted in the Tally Book and mentioned as the winner of the -carpentry contest," said Elena. - -"And I thought the film could be enlarged to a size that will correspond -with our cash on hand, and present it to May," added Hilda. - -"If we make a picture each week of the prize-winner and article made it -will add greatly to the beauty and interest of the Tally," ventured the -Guide. - -"Come on, May, and pose over by the log scenery to have your picture -taken," called Elena, starting for the Council Ring. - -"Oh wait, Lena! Don't let's have an indoor picture. It will look so much -better if posed out-doors," cried Nita. - -"Let's go over to the fence-corner next to our back yard where the group -of pines will make a pretty back-ground," suggested Frances Mason. - -"That's fine! And we'll stand May on some of our logs and have her look -happy while holding her chest!" exclaimed Anne. - -"When folks see May holding her chest in the picture, they'll think she -had a bad cold," came from Zan, quickly. - -Everyone laughed but Anne added: "Oh, you old tease, you know what I -meant." - -"All right, come on and show us what you meant!" - -"I wish to goodness we had a ceremonial costume here to dress May and do -the picture up in a truly artistic manner," sighed Elena. - -"Hilda and May are about the same size--why not run Hilda home to get -hers?" suggested Jane. - -"It won't take more'n ten minutes, Hilda, if you jump on a trolley!" -added Nita, when Hilda frowned down the proposition. - -A honking from an automobile horn was heard just then, and Zan jumped up -to run to the door, saying: "Sounds like your machine, Jenny!" - -"If it should be Jack, he could drive Hilda over for the dress," replied -Jane. - -Before Zan reached the door of the gymnasium, however, the tousled head -of Fiji Baker appeared at the opening and he called out ingratiatingly: -"Don't stop the show for _me_; 'let joy be unconfined' as I just dropped -in for a second to see Miss Miller. Jack is out front tying the bouquets -we wish to throw at the famous dancer!" - -Nita laughed for she had confided in the boys and told them about the -new dance scheduled for that Council Meeting. - -"Oh, Fiji, you came in answer to our prayers, I'm sure. We need someone -to hustle Hilda over home for a most important package she forgot, and -now Jack can fly while you talk with Miss Miller," explained Zan, -pushing Hilda towards the door as she spoke. - -"You'll win a _coup_ on this for 'first aid,'" said Jane to Fiji. - -But Fiji paid no attention as he was deeply concerned over some secret -he was whispering to the Guide. Meantime Hilda was urged to order Jack -to drive as fast as he dared so she could be back with the costume -before the sun went down. - -Before Fiji and Miss Miller had finished their engrossing conversation, -Hilda returned and the girls adjourned to the scenic-screen-room to -dress the prize-winner in a befitting costume. - -May was posed first in one attitude, then in another, till everyone had -satisfied her artistic sense of the picture to be, and perhaps they -would all have had another trial had not May sighed, and cried: - -"I'll be so glad when you really click that trigger! This box grows -heavier and heavier every minute. I'm sure it weighs a ton by this -time." - -Several snap-shots were taken and May placed the "ton" prize-winner on -the ground and stretched her arms. Then the Woodcrafters filed back to -the gymnasium, where Miss Miller explained the reason of Fiji's visit. - -"Doctor Baker invites the Band to join the boys in a week-end camp -near-by the city. Fiji said he and the other boys have been scouting -about for some days trying to find just the right kind of a site where -girls would be comfortable." Miss Miller paused here to allow the -announcement to sink in. - -"Huh! I guess Dad wants our Band to act as sort of a brake on those -boys' speed," commented Zan, nevertheless pleased at the invitation. - -"Won't it be fun?" cried Jane. - -"Where will it be, Miss Miller?" asked Nita. - -"Why, Fiji says they have found a wonderful place on the sea-side of -Staten Island. 'The woods almost meet the beach,' he said." - -"Oh, can't we try that aqua-planing Elizabeth Remington told us of?" -eagerly questioned Zan. - -"We haven't any to try with," replied Jane. - -"Fred Remington told Fiji the other day that it was the easiest thing to -make. Just one, two, three! and it is done!" declared Zan, snapping her -fingers with each count. - -"I have it! Let's invite Elizabeth to join us in camp and then add, as -an after-thought, how nice it would be if she brought her plane," -exclaimed Nita, showing that there were still some undestroyed -self-motives in her character. - -"Even so, there wouldn't be any motive-power unless Zan supplied some of -her boundless energy," laughed the Guide. - -"It won't work in deep water, Miss Miller," retorted Zan. - -"If Elizabeth is invited for the plane why not ask Fred and Billy for -their launch?" now suggested Jane. - -"Sure enough! You tell Jack to, will you?" chorused some of the girls. - -After a lively Council Meeting, the Woodcrafters started eagerly -homeward for they were anticipating the camp and wanted to hear what the -boys had to say about the plane and launch. - -But it happened that Fiji and Jack had already thought of the launch and -had invited Fred and his younger brother before the girls spoke of it. -The plane was another matter and they agreed to see Elizabeth about -joining them. - -The campers intended starting for the trip immediately after school on -Friday afternoon. Three automobiles--the Bakers', Huberts', and -Remingtons'--would carry them and their luggage to the place selected. -Fred, Billy, and Bob Baker would go in the launch, while Fiji and Jack -planned to paddle their canoe around the Island to the beach where the -camp was to be. - -The canoe owned by the two boys was kept on the lake in Branch Brook -Park when the boys were in the city, but during their vacations they -usually took it with them. It now had to be transported across the city -to the Passaic River. Here the boys arranged to meet the express-man and -sail it from that point to Staten Island Sound, thence to the -sea-beach-shore of the Island. - -Fred Remington planned to sail the launch along the same route but he -would start later in the day. The canoemen would start in the morning if -clear. The girls in the cars would leave directly after school in the -afternoon, and all expected to meet about the same time on the woodland -site chosen by the boys. - -The days preceding Friday afternoon were an anxious time for the -Woodcrafters for they feared it might rain yet hoped that the weather -would be glorious. - -The camera picture of May and the chest was developed and printed and -proved to be a great success. It was named "The Prize-winner," and the -film was sent away to be enlarged. Meantime, the Woodcraft Chest had -been left on Miss Miller's table in the gymnasium as she wished to show -it to the scholars who were becoming interested in Woodcraft. - -Tuesday afternoon, when she wished to lock the chest in her private -closet, it was not to be found. She sought everywhere, asked the -janitor, and telephoned the girls, but no one had seen or heard a thing -about it. - -Miss Miller worried herself ill over the loss, not so much because of -the value of the chest but because it proved there was a dishonest -scholar in that school! May was heart-broken too, as it was her first -accomplishment in Woodcraft and she was so proud of it, that she had -invited all her friends to be sure and call to see it as soon as it was -home in her possession. And now it might never be heard from again! - - - - -CHAPTER SIX--THE LOST CAMPERS - - -In spite of pessimistic prognostications about the weather, Friday came -and it was a perfect Autumn day. Fiji Baker and Jack Hubert were up at -day-break as their express-man carted the canoe from the Park that early -so it would not interfere with his regular calls and cartage for the -day. - -Fred and his crew started at noon in their launch, and at three o'clock -the merry Woodcrafters stood about the gymnasium door waiting for the -three automobiles which would have the luggage and other equipment -packed in them before stopping for the girls. - -While waiting, Nita showed the girls a new Flower and Butterfly dance -she had invented. It was most graceful and the girls applauded heartily. -Miss Miller smiled as she said: - -"Nita, there is no use in trying to train you for aught else than a -dancing flower in a wandering breeze, or a charming little humming-bird -that lightly caresses every blossom in passing." - -"Miss Miller should have a _coup_ for spontaneous poetry," laughed Nita, -well-pleased at the Guide's sincere praise. - -"Yes, the Tribe must hand it to its Guide for finding something -religious or poetical in any prosaic thing she finds. Not that Nita is -prosaic by any means, but there have been times when Miss Miller's muse -has been inspired with nothing more to base its flight upon than an -ordinary dust-cloth or common potato!" laughed Zan. - -The sound of approaching automobiles caused poesy and dancing to end and -soon the girls were gayly seated in the cars. Such chattering and -laughter as sounded from the passengers as the machines sped swiftly -cross-town and reached the ferry where they had to take the boat to -reach Staten Island! - -"Miss Miller," asked Anne Mason, as they waited for a ferry-boat to -dock, "can we new members start to collect flowers and do some tree -lessons, or birds and star knowing, to catch up with your five founders -of the Band?" - -"Yes, you can, but why not leave those studies and do them at odd times -when the older members have other things to do? We might all work -together at this camp to find many interesting things to start new -collections. For instance, the shells and other marine objects." - -"I never thought of that," replied Anne. - -"The new members are so anxious to have individual Tally Books, you see, -Miss Miller," explained Zan, "and they haven't any pressed flowers or -blue prints or other things to record as we have in ours." - -"If only you would wait until we catch up with you," sighed May Randall. - -"You can soon do that, girls, by using every spare moment when not -otherwise engaged, to learn about the stars, find flowers and insects, -and study trees and Nature in the Park. Then we can witness and sign -your honour claims at a Council," added the Guide. - -"You new girls haven't made your Tallies yet," said Hilda. - -"That is one of the things we want you to tell us about," said Frances -Mason. - -"I think I have enough pieces of tanned leather to give each girl a -cover," now offered Zan. - -"And we have enough thong and beads to bind the books and tie the -pages," added Elena. - -"Then the girls ought to buy the page paper and make their Tallies at -once, so everything can be entered in proper order," advised the Guide. - -"Miss Miller, maybe we can try for the degree of canoeman while we camp -near the water," ventured Jane. - -Miss Miller said nothing to this but smiled and shook her head. She -wondered if the girls understood the experience necessary before winning -a degree of that kind. - -Jim, the Bakers' chauffeur, and Alfred, the Remingtons' chauffeur, had -each been given concise directions how to find the camp-site. Bob had -drawn a road-map for Jim, and Fred had sketched a rough plan of where to -turn. So Jim led the three cars as they left the ferry. - -After travelling several miles, he consulted Bob's map. - -"I don't seem to quite get this clear! Master Bob's got here 'Good -woodland road,' but all I can find is this swamp and that wood-cutters' -trail on the far side!" said Jim. - -The other two cars came up, and Alfred said: "Can you make head or tail -out of the map, Jim?" - -"I was jus' sayin' that Master Bob must have been dreamin' about this -'good woodland road,'" returned Jim. - -"Let's take this road--it looks fine--and see if we come to a woodland -road further on," suggested Miss Miller. - -So the opposite direction was taken, hoping they might find the good -road mentioned on the map. After riding for twenty minutes more, the -chauffeurs suddenly found the sign-post marked on both maps. - -"Now ain't that funny! It's the post all right, but we never came by -that woodland road!" declared Jim. - -"Let's be thankful we found one land-mark they put down for us to -follow!" grumbled Alfred, where-upon everyone laughed. - -In vain did they seek for other land-marks or objects to correspond to -those marked on the maps. They found good roads but nothing to lead them -to believe they were following directions. Finally, as they all halted -for another conference, Alfred stood up and looked about. He scratched -his head back of the ear as if in a quandary. - -"Let's hear it, Alfred," laughed Elizabeth. - -"Well, I was thinkin'! Your maw came this very road last Spring when she -camped her Tribe on Decoration Day. Why not go this way and trust to -luck to bring us to the boys' camp?" - -"It would be all right for us but what about the boys?" asked Zan. - -"They have to pass by your site on their way up the shore and you can -hail them," suggested Jim. - -"It's growing late, girls, and we have to pitch tents, get ready to cook -supper, and lots of other work," warned the Guide. - -"Then let's follow Alfred's advice and take a chance on finding the -boys," agreed Elizabeth. - -As they started again to cross the Island to find the camping place Mrs. -Remington had used that Spring Elizabeth told them what a Paradise it -was. Woods, beach, cliff for diving, spring of fine water, and -everything a Woodcrafter could wish for. - -Finally Alfred turned in on the hard sandy beach and in a short time -stopped by a small promontory of sand that ran out like a finger into -the sea. On top of this cliff and as far back as one could see, were the -woods, with a clearing in the foreground that Alfred said had been used -for the tents when Mrs. Remington camped there. - -The Woodcrafters exclaimed in surprise at the place that seemed made to -order for them, and Zan added: "Fiji's discovery can't be better than -this!" - -The chauffeurs helped carry the outfits to the clearing on top of the -cliff, and when all was done, Alfred said: "I ought to be goin', Miss -'Lizabeth, 'cause your father comes in on that six o'clock train, you -know, and it takes a full hour to get there from here!" - -"Oh, it can't be five o'clock yet, Alfred," cried Elizabeth, surprised. - -"It is five of five," replied Miss Miller, consulting her watch. - -"Good gracious! Where are those boys?" cried Zan. - -"We surely must be at the wrong site, but we will remain where we are -for to-night, anyway," added Jane. - -"Jim, if Fiji 'phones home to ask where we are try and direct him how to -find us, will you?" said Zan. - -Shortly after the automobiles left, Elizabeth spied a fleck of white out -on the water, and with her experienced eye saw it bob up and down. - -"Zan, bring the glasses! I'm sure I see the white launch," cried she, -keeping her eye on the distant spot. - -"Where? I can't see a thing but some white-caps," said Zan, handing the -glasses to Elizabeth. - -"That's because you never spent your Summers on an Island off the Maine -coast like I have," laughed the girl, focussing the glasses. - -"It's Fred and his crew, all right!" cried Elizabeth, passing the -glasses to Zan. - -"Oh yes, I can see them now, but aren't they going very slow for a motor -launch?" called Zan. - -"Maybe something broke down and they can't get in," said Eleanor Wilbur, -who had been more than pleasant and obliging all that week. - -"No, they are labouring against wind and tides, I guess," remarked -Elizabeth, who was busy with a long strip of linen which happened to be -packed with the stores when Mrs. Remington made up the hamper. - -"What are you doing?" asked one of the girls. - -"I'm using this linen Mother sent for bandages if we had to use them, -for a signal flag. I'll stick it out on that dead pine tree on the cliff -and Fred will surely see it." - -"And we might build a smoke-fire," suggested Zan. - -"Yes, do that. Then we can signal them that we are lost," chuckled Jane, -running to gather red pine bark. - -Finally, the steam whistle on the launch signalled that the boys had -seen the smoke and flag, and later the launch beached where it made a -good landing-place. - -The girls helped the sailors transport their luggage from the launch to -the clearing on the cliff, and Zan remarked: "I see you brought the -aqua-plane." - -"Bet your life! Betsy would have sent us back for it had we forgotten to -bring it," laughed Fred, as he climbed the sandy side of the cliff. - -Once on top where he found the Guide and other girls making camp, he -said: "Where are the other boys? Fishing?" - -"No, we never met each other as planned. I think they are camping at -some other spot," said Zan. - -"They'll hunt us up quick enough when it's time for supper. You see we -brought the hampers," laughed Jane. - -Fred looked serious, however. "We had a dreadful time rounding the -Island where the sea sweeps in through the Narrows. It was all we could -do to stem the current. Even as it was, we had to go way out of our road -to avoid the swift tide." - -"You don't think anything could have happened to them, do you?" cried -Zan, anxiously. - -"I shouldn't wonder but what they have been over-turned," now added -Eleanor, with her pessimistic propensity. - -"Not that at all, girls, only they may have been swept so far out of -their course that paddles couldn't help them along very fast. Then they -may have to camp wherever they are," said Fred. - -"All the same, you know as well as I do, that lots of folks are drowned -off this shore--'specially boys. You can read about a death that way -every day!" persisted Eleanor. - -"Then they didn't know how to swim like Fiji and Jack do. Why, they're -regular water-rats!" replied Fred, optimistically. - -"Swimming won't help much if they have cramps! That sinks you like -lead!" countered Eleanor again. - -Miss Miller heard the whole conversation and also saw Zan and Jane turn -pale when they first thought of danger to their brothers. Until this -time they thought it a great joke that they had found such a fine site -and were camping with all the foodstuff. - -At Eleanor's first exclamation the Guide had frowned, for her religion -was one of practical common sense and cheerful optimism. She looked -about for something to interest the girls and, at the same time, stop -Eleanor from talking, so when she heard the last rejoinder to Fred's -attempts at encouraging Zan and Jane, she called to Eleanor: - -"Will you help me unpack these hampers, while the other girls gather -fire-wood? Zan, suppose Jane and you keep the signal fires burning on -that cliff's edge. The boys will see the smoke if they are near here." - -Eleanor walked slowly over to Miss Miller, frowning as she went. But the -Guide failed to notice it as she was busy with the camp dishes and pans. - -"Will you put these bags of groceries over in the box that stands in my -tent?" asked the Guide, holding up the paper bags. - -"Why must I play kitchen-mechanic while all the other girls are having a -good time in the woods?" complained Eleanor. - -At the words and tone, the Guide looked up amazed. - -"Good gracious, I thought you would prefer to do this to stooping and -collecting old wood," said she, vexed at the girl. - -"You take particular pains to make me do the unpleasant things, I -notice. Now, when I was trying to prepare Zan and Jane for the worst, -you called me to get me away from them. Don't I know?" sneered Eleanor, -loftily. - -"Woodcrafters never prepare for the worst! It is our rule to always wait -for the best and let the worst take care of itself!" declared Miss -Miller, wondering what under the sun she was to do with this undesirable -character. - -"Oh! you are so preachy! One never takes a turn but you have a lecture -ready--generally on this Woodcraft!" cried Eleanor impatiently. "The -other girls flatter you by calling it 'poesy' and artistic temperament, -but I call 'a spade a spade'!" - -"Do you?" queried Miss Miller, suddenly making up her mind what to do. -"Then you won't object if I 'take the bull by the horns'--another old -saying!" - -"You may take anything by his horns if you choose, it won't concern me -in the least!" said Eleanor, disdainfully, as well as significantly. - -"Then sit down right where you are!" ordered Miss Miller with a -determined manner that made Eleanor glance at her in wonderment. - -"Sit down, I said!" - -"Why should I obey you?" questioned Eleanor, stubbornly. - -"Because I am in command of this camp and what I say goes without -questioning. Either do as I bid you or take your bag and start for home -at once!" - -"Wh--h--y! You couldn't do that!" gasped Eleanor. - -"We can oust you from camp and send you away but it is up to you whether -you return home or hang about the woods." - -Eleanor had never camped before and it was a new experience she had -looked forward to because of the joys claimed by the other Woodcrafters. -But to wander in the woods alone in the dark was quite a foreign plan to -the one she had anticipated. She was hungry, too, and being sent away at -once meant going without supper. She glanced from the corners of her -eyes to see just how far Miss Miller might carry out her threat, but the -Guide was watching her with a stern expression. - -Eleanor, not knowing what to do at the moment, sat down to gain time. -Miss Miller, who feared she might weaken in her sudden and unprecedented -manner of severity, immediately spoke. - -"I have watched you most carefully for the past two weeks and I have -seen things you never dreamed of! Now, I am going to have it out with -you!" - -At this, Eleanor went white and trembled. She cowered as if she expected -a blow, but she refused to look at the Guide. - -"You will remember a threat you made to May Randall the day you stopped -to see how the girls were progressing with their work?" asked Miss -Miller, referring to the lack of interest the girl displayed in -carpentry and the unkind words she used to May. - -"Oh for goodness' sake don't say a word about that old chest! I wish to -goodness I had never seen May Randall and her Woodcraft box!" cried -Eleanor, as if driven to desperation. - -Miss Miller was as surprised now as the girl had been a few moments -before, but she rallied much quicker than the guilty one. The truth -flashed over her quick mind and she changed her query accordingly. - -"It is a pity that you ever gave in to temptation. You certainly can't -blame your covert acts on May or any other being. The evil we do is -absolutely our own fault, for every man is a free agent to choose what -he will do. Sometimes it is fear or cowardice that drives one to do an -evil deed but it is the downright criminal that obeys an evil idea or -plan, knowing he is doing a thing that condemns him to the world and in -his own estimation, too." - -"Well, what do you want to do about it? Did you call me over here to -tell me what you thought of me? Why didn't you do it before to-day, then -I wouldn't have come?" cried Eleanor, still defiantly. - -"I hadn't the least idea of speaking to you about May's chest until you -brought it upon yourself. I was going to mention something entirely -different until you compelled me to say what I did just now." - -"And you kept this secret all to yourself this week?" cried Eleanor, -looking at Miss Miller with a kindlier expression. - -"Eleanor," said the Guide, catching at that tiny hope of softening the -stubborn girl, "I do not think another member in the Band dreams that -you had anything to do with the missing chest, and I do not think anyone -but you and I suspects the truth." - -"And you let me come with the Tribe knowing this about me?" Eleanor's -gaze dropped to the ground and she sat thinking. - -According to Miss Miller's code, when one began to think earnestly over -anything, or tried introspection of one's self, it was a symptom of -recovery, even though there might be a long siege of diseased conditions -before perfect health was attained. So she remained silent waiting for -Eleanor to think some more. - -"You're either mighty fair to me or you're keeping this thing quiet for -fear others will hear of it and so belittle your influence with the -girls," finally declared Eleanor. - -"Don't you think you are judging unfairly, after you just said 'I was -fair'? Why should I hesitate to make you resign from our Tribe for doing -a dastardly trick with May's box? No one but you and I would ever know -the truth about it, and I'm sure you wouldn't mention it to anyone, -because you are heartily ashamed of the deed. If I was afraid of others' -opinions about my Band of Girls, I would make you resign before any -other tricks were perpetrated by you. But I _am_ fair and I want to see -you make good, now that you have this Woodcraft opportunity, hence I am -talking to you instead of sending you away." - -"Then, all I can say, is, that you're all right!" declared Eleanor. But -in another second she felt suspicious again. - -"I suppose, now that I've admitted the deed, you'll have me up for a -public reprimand. It goes with a teacher's ideals of training!" - -The Guide could not but admire the girl's quick mental powers and -thought what a wonderful woman she would make if her character and mind -were but trained properly instead of along the lines of this present -example. - -"I thought we might arrange it this way, if I had your word of honour -that you would work hard to destroy the 'little foxes that destroy the -vines'; you can replace the chest by leaving it at my home, or send it -by messenger to the gymnasium Monday noon. I will put it in the closet -and send a note to May saying that the box was found but the conditions -for return were that no questions were to be asked. At the same time I -expect you to volunteer the information, thus clearing the school -children." - -Eleanor sat glowering at the Guide for full three minutes as if to read -her true reasons for this leniency, but Miss Miller understood enough of -psychology to realise that this was the great crisis. In that -interchange of heart-readings, Eleanor saw only truth and loving -sympathy shine from the woman's eyes, and Miss Miller saw the adamant of -wilfulness break ever so little. - -The Guide knew that just so much love and forbearance as she really felt -in her innermost heart for this misled girl, just so much could she -influence and lift her at this crucial time. So she prayed, oh, so -fervently, to the Great Spirit for help and light to do exactly the -right thing. And that silent prayer must have been the glorified light -that shone from her eyes for it led Eleanor to melt as she had never -melted before. She leaned her head over on the grass and wept bitterly. - -Miss Miller rose and left the repentant girl alone, while she noisily -busied herself with the pots and pans. She knew that not words or pity -but silent calling upon Omnipotence for strength and faith would be the -balm that would help and heal this weak reed swayed by evil's -suggestions. - -As the Guide washed some potatoes she said to herself in a low murmur: -"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil--for Thine is the -Power!" - -Then: "Miss Miller," sounded a weak little voice at her side, "shall I -wipe the dishes with a clean towel?" - -"Yes, dear, I wish you would." - -And that was all. - -"Guess what we found, Miss Miller?" called a chorus of voices, as the -fire-gatherers returned with armfuls of dry wood. - -"Mushrooms?" - -"Wh--hy, who told you?" cried the girls, looking about for the -messenger. - -"That little bird just flew by and whispered it in my ear," laughed Miss -Miller, pointing to a great sea-gull that hovered over their heads. - -Everyone laughed and Jane added: "Yes, mushrooms but not enough for all. -If we only had a steak they would make a fine sauce." - -"Oh gee! That reminds me I forgot my donation to the party!" cried Bob -Baker, springing up from the grass where he had thrown himself, and -running down to the launch. - -"Bob trawled all the way and caught some pretty good sized fish. I -thought all decent sized fish were driven out of these waters by the -traffic and pollution from sewers, but I was mistaken," explained Fred, -watching Bob run back with his catch. - -"Now we can use the mushrooms!" cried Zan. - -"Fred, why don't you cook the fish the way father taught us on Sunset -Island?" asked Elizabeth. - -"Just as Miss Miller says," replied Fred, looking at the Guide. - -"Miss Miller says cook the whole supper if you like, then we can take a -swim. You boys have had your dip, you know," laughed she. - -"Now, how did you know that? We boys said we wouldn't let you know it!" -cried Bob. - -"Really, you are uncanny, Miss Miller," added Fred. - -"Anyone could tell Bob had been in, from his damp curly pate, and Billy -still has the brine sticking up about his scalp. If I should need any -further evidence I might say that one of the younger boys put on Fred's -socks by mistake, or else he made a blunder when he mentioned his size -to the clerk who sold them," said the Guide, smiling. - -Everyone glanced at Billy's feet, and lo! the socks were hanging loosely -down over his shoes, several sizes too large for him, while Fred's -turned-up white trousers showed socks so tight that they stopped the -circulation at the top, but the tops only reached to the place where his -shoes ended. - -A peal of laughter rang out and echoed through the woods at the sight -the three surprised boys made, and Zan said: - -"Just for that, you have to cook supper while we take a dip!" - -"We're game. Not because we took a swim before we got here, but because -you've got such an all-round fine clairvoyant!" laughed Fred, looking at -Miss Miller with admiration. - -"Shall we wait supper for Fiji and Jack?" asked Bob. - -"They'll be given something should they come straggling in late, but I -firmly believe they went to their own camp-site and are now pitying us -for not having found them," said Miss Miller. - -"And you can leave it to Jack to have something to eat! He never takes a -chance on going without a square meal!" added Jane. - -"We'll keep the signal-fire going all night and when it is dark they can -see it and get their bearings for us in the morning," suggested Fred. - -So the girls ran to their tents to hurry into bathing suits and take a -swim before the call came for supper. - - - - -CHAPTER SEVEN--CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END - - -"Come ahead, boys, clean the fish and get them ready for me to cook," -called Fred, starting to dig a hole in the ground about twice the size -of the fish. This he thickly lined with large sized shore pebbles which -had been well washed. On top of these stones he built a good fire until -it thoroughly heated the stones to a white heat. - -Meantime Bob and Billy cleaned and washed the fish, then placed a thick -strip of bacon inside each one. They salted, peppered, and floured the -fish ready to cook. - -When the fire-pit was ready, Fred raked out the cinders and put a layer -of clean grass on top of the red-hot stones. He laid out the fish on -this and covered them with a layer of the grass, and on top of this he -spread a thin layer of sand. Then he piled in the glowing cinders and -kept the fire burning fiercely on top of Nature's sauce-pan. - -The Guide returned from her bath while the fish were cooking and -expressed deep interest in the new method of cooking she saw -demonstrated before her. Fred explained how he built the oven and a note -was made to enter the splendid idea in the Tribe's Tally. - -"Are the fish most done?" asked Elizabeth, sniffing for an odour of the -cooking. - -"Be ready about the same time the rest of the supper is," replied Fred. - -"That's a new kind of a pot-hanger, Miss Miller," said Zan, pointing to -the sapling Fred had rigged up. - -"I'll tell you girls just how I made this fire-place," offered he. -"Large stones are so plentiful about here, so I took some flat ones and -built the fire inside the narrow aperture made by laying the stones in -two rows parallel to each other. The sauce-pans stand close over the -fire and are quite firm on these flat stones, and the building does not -take as long to complete as a log fire-place. - -"These two green logs were found by Billy, and you can see for -yourselves that the angle they make as placed, provides a resting place -for various sized pots--small to large--the large ones setting on the -widest opening of the angle. The fire built between the logs is easily -kept clean by raking out the dead ash from the widest opening. - -"Now this is a good form of pot-hanger where you want a kettle to hang -directly over a fire. I found a good sapling that had a well-defined -notch made by two branches. These I cut down to about three inches in -length. The bottom of the sapling I trimmed to a point to drive into the -ground the right distance I wanted. - -"Then I trimmed another forked sapling similar to the first but much -longer. This I fitted into the crotch of the upright stick, with the -forked end directly over the fire, and the opposite end held firmly to -the ground by means of a stump or flat stone. You see, this forked -device of the end over the fire keeps the handle of the pot from -slipping off, and the long end held to the ground by a weight gives the -kettle enough swing to resist any extra contents. - -"While you're all here seeing me do it, let me tell you a fine stunt if -the weather is bad and tents are damp, or cots cold and uncomfortable," -added Fred, as he concluded his talk on pot-hangers. "When you are -through cooking dinner, you can take these red-hot fire-stones by means -of a stout stick and a dishpan, and carry them to the tent. In a short -time, the heat rising from the stones will dry the atmosphere. If the -cots are damp and cold, place the pan of hot stones under the bed and -they will soon dry and be warm as toast all night. If you want the -temperature of the tent to keep warm all night, place a layer of moss or -grass over the stones. The rock will retain its heat for hours after -removing it from the fire." - -"Well! If Fred Remington doesn't know everything!" sighed Elena, -admiringly. - -"I wish you were a member of our Tribe," added Zan. - -"Who wouldn't be an expert Woodcrafter with such a mother! Why, she was -an enthusiastic worker in the plan long before a regular League started. -Besides, we spend our Summers on the Island in Maine, and what we don't -know from camping at home we ferret out from the farmers and fishermen -on the Coast. My uncles own the neighbouring islands to ours and they -enjoy out-door life, too. So we all have a good time experimenting with -new ideas and remembering the good ones for future use," explained Fred, -eagerly. - -"Fred knows so much about camping and cooking because he won a degree -for Camp Cook. Besides, he and his Tribe go hiking and camping every -Saturday and Fred has charge of the party. I am working for the degree -this year, and I'm sure I shall win it," said Elizabeth, who was cooking -a concoction she wished to try out. - -"It behooves Wako Tribe to keep on friendly terms with you, Elizabeth," -remarked the Guide, smiling at Zan. - -"Oh, we found that out long ago, Miss Miller," retorted the Chief. - -"What is that stuff you are fixing, Betsy? It smells awful good," asked -Hilda, sniffing at the steam that rose from the pot Elizabeth was using -for her brew. - -"I call it 'hastychowder' and it is made this way, in case you girls -want to try it sometime: To one can of corn, take four cups of potatoes -cut into small dice, two ounces of salt pork, also cut fine, a small -onion, and about four ounces of crackers. Fry the pork and onions brown -and then add the corn and potatoes. Cover this with water and cook until -the vegetables are soft. Then add the milk and some salt, and lastly the -crackers. If the crackers are soaked in milk for a time before using, I -think it makes the chowder better." - -"Well, whatever you call it or cook it, it smells mighty good to me," -said Jane. - -"Girls, I wanted to have plain cooked rice with the fish, but how can I -cook it when every pot and place is in use?" asked the Guide, looking at -the array of pans and pots all holding food. - -"Ha! You'd make a poor tenderfoot if you were lost on the mountains with -no outfit!" laughed Fred. - -"What would you do in that case?" asked the Guide. - -"Watch me! May I have a bit of this birch bark the girls brought back -with them from the woods?" asked Fred. - -"Help yourself," replied Zan. - -Fred quickly selected a strip of bark about ten inches wide. This he -folded end to end to form a round tube. The edges were stitched with -wire-grass. Then he sewed a bottom on one end and it represented a bark -pail. Next he plastered clay on the outside seams, and rubbed some gum -from a wild cherry tree on the seams of the inside, saying: "If we had -time to let the clay dry I wouldn't use the gum on the inside, but now I -need to make it water-proof." - -Then he filled this vessel with water and selected two red-hot stones of -a smaller size than the others, and dropped them in the water. -Instantly, the water began boiling and the rice, which Miss Miller had -washed, was poured into the vessel and a cover placed over the top. - -"When our dinner is ready, the rice will be steamed, too," said Fred, -placing the bark vessel on a flat stone near the fire-place. - -"Well I never!" ejaculated some of the girls, while Elena hastily -sketched the birch-bark holder and wrote down the rules for -manufacturing it. - -"Now girls, lay the cloth and have the dishes ready for the chowder," -called Elizabeth, tasting the liquid from the tip of a spoon. - -"I wish those two boys were here to enjoy this scrumptious meal," said -Jane, sighing as she thought of their loss. - -The chowder was dished up and eaten with sounds of many smacks and -"Ahs!" Then the fish were removed from the oven and as the aroma of the -flaky and sweet meat reached the nostrils of the Woodcrafters, a chorus -of "Um's!" echoed about the camp-circle. - -Every morsel of that supper vanished like ice in the July sunshine and -was declared the best ever tasted by the campers. The gray of evening -crept over sky and sea and earth as the Woodcrafters sat about the dying -embers of the camp-fire hoping for a call or signal from the two boys, -which would warn them of their approach. But in spite of the torch Fred -kept burning on the Cliff, nothing was heard or seen from the wanderers. - -Eleanor had been very quiet and meek since her confession to the Guide, -but old ingrained habits are not thrown off in one moment of repentance. -When Fred returned from the Cliff with the report that he saw no sign of -a fire or signal, she remarked: - -"Well, you said the current was dreadfully strong just around the end of -the Island. Maybe they couldn't make it and are being carried out to sea -in the canoe." - -"Oh no, they're all right," assured Fred, glancing at Zan and Jane. - -"But they may have lost the paddles, or a dozen of any many things may -have happened. Boys are always careless with an open boat," persisted -Eleanor. - -"Miss Miller, we'll put an end to this dread by going to the nearest -telephone station. If the boys think we're lost they will 'phone home -sometime before morning, and then they can tell them where we are. If -they have already 'phoned we will find out and rest easier for the -news," said Fred, pulling Bob up from his lounge by the fire. - -"It's too dark to see where we're going," grumbled Bob, who had enjoyed -the chowder and fish overmuch. - -"Not when my lanterns are ready. Watch me," said Fred, picking up the -two empty tins left from the corn, and slitting a hole in the side of -each. The lid-ends were bent back and a candle fitted in the openings, -then the jagged ends were pressed back into the tallow. The one end of -the can was cut out entirely and the opposite end which had been cut -open to remove the corn was bent back on the small piece of tin uncut -and used as a handle for the impromptu lanterns. - -Enough light reflected from the shiny tin of the inside cans to show the -boys where to walk, and they started off on the hazard of finding a -house or village where they could use a telephone. - -"Let's study the stars while they are gone. Who can tell us a new story -or find the old planets?" suggested Zan. - -So the time passed quickly until the campers heard a whoop from the -woods and saw the flickering of the two lights as the boys approached -the fire. - -"What did you find out?" cried Jane and Zan, as they jumped up from the -grass to run and meet the messengers. - -"Good joke on Jack and Fiji! They just telephoned a few minutes before -we did. They were wondering what had happened to you girls. They said -that Bob knew well enough where to go as he saw the tree blazed as a -sign for you," said Fred. - -"So I did, but the day we came over to hunt up a site, we were in the -auto and to-day I came by boat, so it looked very different. Besides, -both places look alike as far as woods and beach and sandy cliff go," -responded Bob. - -"Did they say they would look us up to-night?" asked Zan. - -"They haven't the slightest idea where to find us in the dark, so they -will remain at the camp where they are and pick us up in the morning," -explained Fred. - -"Well, thank goodness, we know they are safe and sound, although I felt -sure they were, right along," sighed Jane. - -"Yes, indeed, two athletic boys like Fiji and Jack would be all right," -added Eleanor, really believing her own words--such is the -changeableness of a dual nature. - -The tired Woodcrafters then retired and sighed as they stretched out -weary bones on the cots or under the stars on soft pine beds. - -"Gee! This is the life!" chuckled Bob, as he bounced up and down on the -springy spruce-tip bed. - -"Guess the midgets haven't reached you yet!" grumbled Billy, as he -slapped viciously at an unseen plague. - -Then Fred began slapping and whipping the air, and finally Bob felt the -mosquitoes and midgets bite, until all three boys jumped up again and -began building a smudge fire. - -"Oh boys! If you would only come over to our camp and help us build a -smoke like yours! We can't sleep a wink!" cried Zan. - -Fred and his helpers soon had a number of small smudge fires burning -about the tents and the girls thanked them sincerely as they felt relief -from the pesky insects that make camping a trial. - -The gay carolling of a few late birds woke the campers, and Miss Miller -was soon out ready to start breakfast. The others all declared for a -morning dip, and were soon splashing and playing in the surf. The boys -preferred to go in later, however, and take the morning hour before -breakfast to catch some fish. - -"Maybe we'll get enough for breakfast and dinner, too!" said Bob. - -By the time the girls were dressed, the boys returned to land with three -goodly sized fish and the news that they had spied a smoke rising from a -campfire some two miles down the shore. - -"It's Fiji and Jack--I wish we could surprise them at breakfast," -laughed Zan. - -"I have an idea!" ventured Bob. "Right after breakfast, let's take as -many as can get in the launch and start down the coast; the others can -hike through the woods and meet us there. On the way back we will make -the others ride home and the first batch walk." - -"I'll ride the aqua-plane," offered Elizabeth. - -"Why don't you let some of the other girls do that?" asked Fred. - -"They don't know how." - -"But it isn't hard to learn. I can show them how to balance in a few -trials. Do you want to try after breakfast, Zan?" returned Fred. - -"Oh, I'd love it!" cried Zan. - -So breakfast was quickly disposed of because the girls anticipated great -sport with the plane. Billy was detailed to steer the launch while Fred -showed the girls how to balance and guide the ropes to make the -aqua-plane skim lightly over the waves. - -After many upsets and great shouting and excitement, the girls could -manage the plane quite well. Then as the young engineer increased the -speed of the launch and the plane fairly flew over the water, the riders -felt as if they were aviators, the sense of the rest for their feet -disappearing in the dizzy pace with which they sped over the surf. - -"I thought you folks wanted to hunt up the lost boys?" called Miss -Miller, when she thought the girls had had enough of the drenching sport -for that morning. - -"So we will, now that we can take turns on the plane as we go -alongshore," called back Zan. - -"We'll have to draw lots for the pleasure--there are too many here to -ride on the way down," said Fred. - -The lot was chosen by having each girl draw a blade of grass from the -Guide's hand. The shortest piece would win. It fell to Elizabeth, and -the other girls all said it was a reward for her sacrifice of enjoying -the fun while the others were practising. - -The girls who were to hike were just ready to start out when a canoe -shot around the point of the promontory and a voice bawled out: - -"Well, I must say! A lot of fine friends Jack and I have!" - -"I must say! You're a nice host to lead a lot of - -"Don't tell me you never knew that! Why, everyone knows that a clam -swims in with the tide and burrows down in the wet sand to sleep. If you -walk over its little mound it spurts water up like a geyser," returned -Zan. - -"Come on, girls, let's make 'em spurt!" urged Billy, who was very fond -of all sports, fishing included. - -The launch and aqua-plane were drawn up on the beach and soon sixteen -busy clam-diggers were bending over, laughing, and calling to each -other, at every clam discovered. It was great fun. - -After half an hour of this pastime, the Guide asked Zan and Hilda to go -with her and build a fire and prepare the kettle for the chowder. But -they had scarcely completed the laying of the fire-wood when Eleanor -joined them. - -"Oh, my back aches so! I think clamming is dreadfully hard work. How you -folks can find sport in everything you do is beyond me. Now I would much -rather help fix the fire and let one of you two girls take my place -clamming," remarked Eleanor. - -"The fire's all ready, and Miss Miller is going to start the chowder. -But you can help collect more wood from that grove so we will have a -pile on hand," said Zan, with a frown. - -Eleanor ran away and Zan looked at the Guide, but her face expressed -nothing that would encourage the girl to criticise the indolent member -of the Band. - - -[Illustration: _A DIP IN THE "BRINY DEEP."_] - - -Eleanor was gone a long time without having brought in any wood when -Hilda was asked to go in search of her. - -"Good gracious me! Not only does Eleanor make a burden of herself for -the Band but now she needs a nurse to watch and keep her from mischief!" -declared Hilda, impatiently. - -Hilda ran off and Zan stood watching her out of sight. Then she turned -to the Guide: "Now what next?" - -"I have just been thinking that we might have potatoes with fish for -lunch and save that chowder for supper when the visitors are here." - -"Um--it's very filling, I have heard," commented Zan. - -Miss Miller laughed. "Yes, and it needs a long time for cooking well. -Besides, we won't need to waste any good time over an elaborate meal -with that chowder to found on." - -"Will there be fish enough to go round?" asked Zan. - -"Yes, Jack brought up several fine fish that Fiji and he caught at dawn -this morning, so we ought to fare very well." - -Hilda now came back with Eleanor strolling after her--Hilda carrying the -heavy load of wood, and Eleanor whipping the heads from some late -goldenrod with a switch. - -"I found her stretched out on some moss blinking up at the blue sky!" -reported Hilda, disdainfully. - -"Why shouldn't I rest after working so hard? Look at the wood I found," -retorted Eleanor. - -"Why didn't you lug it into camp? There's no credit due you for finding -a few sticks if you don't carry out the task to fulfilment," scorned -Zan. - -"Miss Miller, I'm sick of this business! I never was so hard worked in -my life, and to think how everyone finds fault with me for not doing -more," said Eleanor, testily. - -"I wonder if any of you girls stopped to think that you could start a -list for your fish _coups_ by knowing and studying the fish caught here. -Suppose you all begin with these three kinds," suggested Miss Miller, -wisely. - -"That's so, we never thought of it," cried Hilda. - -"Dear me, why didn't we try to place those fish this morning? Did you -know them, Miss Miller?" asked Zan. - -Eleanor was interested in the fish, too, and so another fatality for the -new member was averted. - -"I knew the white fish we had this morning, and I see here is another. -That other fish I believe to be a sea-trout but we will have to verify -that by asking the boys. They will know." - -"And that smaller one--if the boys know we will have three on the list -already, won't we?" said Zan, eagerly. - -"Of course the boys know--they seem to imbibe knowledge of this sort by -instinct. Why, a boy never has to _learn_ to swim, he just flops in the -water and sails along like a frog, while we timid females try and try -again before we can get the stroke," declared Hilda. - -The clam-diggers came up with a large reward for their aching backs and -sun-burn, and the plan of starting a list of fish was proposed by the -Chief. Thereafter, more interest was shown in the three kinds of fish on -exhibit than any of the girls could ever remember before. - -While the Woodcrafters sat eating luncheon, a peculiar whistle sounded -from the woods back of them. - -"Sounds like a tramp signalling a pal to come and enjoy this lunch," -teased Bob. - -"You seem to forget that we girls won a _coup_ for knowing our native -birds this Summer. I know what kind of a bird that is, too. Anyone else -here recognise it?" said Zan. - -"Don't tell! Don't--please. Let us new members try to place the sound -and sight and begin on our bird _coups_," interrupted Anne Mason. - -"Come on, hurry up! We can wash dishes later," added Frances. - -"You girls go, and I will remain here with the boys to clear away the -dishes and follow after you later," offered the Guide. - -So the Band ran away and shortly after Miss Miller and her helpers -finished the chores and went into the woods also. About an hour was -spent in interesting study and pursuit of Nature's lore, when a sound -coming from the direction of the camp reached the crowd. - -"That's a kind of bird I know at once!" laughed Zan. - -"It sounds like the siren on your Dad's machine," ventured Jane. - -"It is. I guess the company have arrived and are waiting for a welcome," -added Fiji. - -At that, the Guide turned and the Band trailed after her to the -camp-site where they found the doctor impolitely prying into the state -of the larder, and two ladies with two children laughing at his remarks -when he discovered the fragrant chowder. - -"Oh, there's Edith and Baby!" cried Elizabeth, running to greet her -mother and the children. - -Having saluted the Woodcrafters with great ceremony, the doctor said: -"Some people have been busy this morning, judging from preparations for -dinner." - -"We just _had_ to dig to provide enough for you--when we heard you had -invited yourself to dinner with us," retorted Zan, who always enjoyed a -wordy combat with her father. - -"Well, I must confess, I brought my normal appetite with me, so it will -be fortunate if the others have anything to eat," replied Dr. Baker. - -"If you admit your appetite is normal now, what will it be after you -have had a dip in the briny?" laughed Fiji. - -"To insure ourselves against emergencies I had Moses pack some of his -unexcelled southern cake and pies," answered Mrs. Remington, pointing to -a huge hamper that had escaped notice. - -"Oh, we know Mose!" laughed Fred, running over to investigate. - -"Gee! Looka-here boys!" called Billy, as one goody after another was -lifted up and displayed to the circle of gourmands. - -"Come, come, Bill! Leave them in the hamper so they won't dry or be -covered with ants," advised his mother, going over to assist him in -obedience. - -"Who's ready for a sea-fight? In these days of deep-sea warfare we -should have practise to be ready to swim after a U-boat, if necessary," -called the doctor, seeing the hamper once more left in order and safety. - -"Me for the briny!" called Bob, running to the boys' tent. - -That morning, Fiji had discovered a deep pool directly under the sandy -point of the promontory, and this offered an excellent spot for diving. -While the more timid jumped about or swam nearer the beach, the older -and more experienced of the party enjoyed the dives and deep water. -Teddy and Edith found an impromptu pier made of drift-wood where the -launch was anchored, and here they played store, having tin cans and -shells for receptacles to hold sea-sand flour and sugar. - -Long before the merry bathers were ready to come out, the Guide and Mrs. -Baker and Mrs. Remington went to the tents and dressed. Then they began -preparations for the supper-party. - -The doctor always provided fun and laughter wherever he went, so the -evening meal was a jolly affair that night. After the young folks -declared they could laugh no more, Mrs. Baker said without a smile, "You -all are most gullible." - -"Why?" demanded a chorus of voices. - -"Why? Why to sit here and laugh while the doctor is making away with -that chowder. I haven't seen him pause a moment between spoonfuls while -he had you all laughing too heartily to eat." - -"Then he'll want to stay all night!" complained Bob. - -Everyone laughed, for the tone said as plain as day: "I hope to goodness -he won't!" - -"That is all I've been waiting for--an invitation," replied the doctor. - -"We can't tuck you in anywhere. You'll have to win a _coup_ for sleeping -out under the stars," laughed Zan. - -"Don't worry, friends! Doctor is only teasing. He has to be back in the -city at nine to-night to meet a physician and consult over a case," -explained Mrs. Baker. - -"Then we'd better make the most of the time left us," urged the doctor, -jumping up ready for anything proposed. - -"Shall we dance?" asked Nita. - -"Oh, be considerate! Remember I enjoyed the chowder more than was -reasonable and I am not in a mood to play Na-na Bo-jou!" warned the -doctor. - -Everyone laughed again at that, for Na-na Bo-jou is one of the most -active of all energetic dances performed by Woodcrafters. - -"Why not sit quietly about the fire and hear a story?" suggested Mrs. -Baker. - -"Let Mrs. Remington tell it--she is a regular bookful of legends and -Indian lore," quickly added the Guide. - -The idea was heartily endorsed by the others and Mrs. Remington began: - -"How the Weasel Got His White Breast. - -"A long time ago, before there were any Indians, the world was inhabited -by spirits. These spirits were the souls of all the animals and plants -and things we see to-day. One of them was called Kanhlalas, the Weasel. -He was little and brown and lived in a field. One day a strange thing -happened to him. Listen, I will tell you about it. - -"Near the field where the Weasel had his home there was a mountain. On -top of the mountain lived an old man called Waida Dikit, the Speckled -Trout. He felt lonely up there, so he sent for Saroki Sakahl, the Green -Snake. When Saroki came Waida Dikit took him to his wigwam and said: - -"'My son, here is pipe and tobacco. Let us smoke awhile.' - -"Saroki sat down by the wall and smoked. He smoked so much that soon -Waida Dikit could not see across the wigwam. - -"'My son,' said he, taking his own pipe from his mouth, 'you are a -strong smoker.' - -"Saroki did not answer. After a time Waida Dikit stuck his head from the -wigwam and saw that the whole world was covered with the smoke from -Saroki's pipe. Waida Dikit was frightened. He felt about on the floor -for his flute. - -"'You have smoked enough,' he said to Saroki. 'Here is a flute. Let me -hear you play.' - -"Saroki took the flute and played for three days and three nights -without stopping. By the end of the first day Waida Dikit could see -through the smoke which was fast thinning, and he could see the other -side of the wigwam. - -"By the end of the third day the smoke was all gone and the blue sky -could be seen once more. Then Saroki stopped playing. - -"'You are a good player,' said Waida Dikit, 'but I know a better one. He -is Kanhlalas, the Weasel that lives down there in the field. I will send -for him.' - -"In a little while Kanhlalas came, bringing his own flute. When he was -comfortably seated in the middle of the wigwam, Waida Dikit said to him: -'Saroki Sakahl thinks he is a fine player. If you play he will know what -a good player really is.' - -"Kanhlalas took his flute, swelled out his chest, and began playing. He -played all day and all night without stopping. By morning he was so out -of breath that there appeared a white stripe down the middle of his -breast. He merely swelled out his chest a little more and went on -playing. Waida Dikit and Saroki Sakahl became frightened. - -"'Stop!' cried both of them. 'Something will happen. We know that you -are the best player now.' - -"But Kanhlalas would not listen nor would he stop playing. He only -played harder and harder. By the end of the third day his breath was -entirely gone and he had to stop. But it was too late! - -"His whole breast was white as snow and from that day to this every -weasel has had a white breast." - -As Mrs. Remington concluded the story the campers signified their -disapproval of such a short tale by demanding another, but Dr. Baker -declared it was time they started for home. - -"But do wait and let us have one dance to pay Mrs. Remington for the -story," cried Nita, springing up ever ready to perform. - -"Girls, show our visitors the dance-song of 'Summertime,'" suggested the -Guide. - -The Band then performed the song to graceful steps and motions and the -audience loudly applauded when it was finished. - -"Mother, why can't I stay over-night with Elizabeth and the other, -girls--Zan says they can find lots of room for a little girl like me," -pleaded Edith. - -"Yes, do allow the child to remain with us. It is only for one night, -you know," added Miss Miller. - -"Why, you seem to have so many already, that I would not like to add to -the care," responded Mrs. Remington, doubtfully. - -"I'll be so good, mother, that it will be no care!" begged Edith. - -"And we will look after her, mother," added Elizabeth. - -"I wanna stay, too!" now demanded the youthful Theodore Roosevelt -Remington, aged four. - -"No, no, Baby, Mother needs you at home!" quickly said Edith. - -To the little girl's delight, she was permitted to remain and the others -started for home, leaving the weary hostesses to seek tents and cots -where all were soon fast asleep, despite the mosquitoes. - - - - -CHAPTER EIGHT--QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY - - -At breakfast the following morning, Miss Miller said: "This being -Sunday, we must find a quiet form of enjoyment." - -"That won't deprive us of a swim, will it?" asked some of the anxious -campers. - -"Why no, but I do not think we ought to shout or dance or do the noisy -or boisterous things that are permissible on a week-day." - -"Let's discuss it later. I am having such a fine time with this -breakfast at present," said Zan, munching a mouthful of delicious -camp-biscuit. - -"So say we all of us," laughed Jane, eyeing the platter that was in -Fiji's hands. It held two fish-cakes and she was keen for one of them. - -"These fish-cakes made of the left-over fish of yesterday and that -steamed brown rice, are the finest I ever tasted," remarked Fiji. - -"Well, for pity's sake take one and pass the other this way," ordered -Jane, losing patience as she saw Fiji compare the two to help himself to -the larger one. - -"I wanted the one left," ventured Jack, teasingly. - -"I'm the oldest, Jack, and so I have first choice!" - -Everyone laughed at the twins as they generally argued this point of the -hour's difference in age, when it was a question of one obeying the -other. - -"You may be oldest but I am handsomest, and besides I have always been -delicate. The doctor told Mom to give me more fish!" retorted Jack. - -"Hem--yes! They claim that fish is food for the brain, and goodness -knows, you need something to develop that atrophied grey matter!" -taunted Jane, reaching for the platter. - -"Children! As Chief of this Tribe I cannot have such talk, hence I will -eat the fish-cake myself!" declared Zan, taking the platter Fiji passed, -and helping herself to the last bit. - -Everyone laughed at the outcome of the argument, and Jane sighed while -Jack smacked his lips as he watched the Chief make a great to-do over -the final crumb of fish. - -"While we wash dishes and clear camp the boys can go and bring in -fire-wood for this noon. Then we can have a story, if you like, until it -is time to have a dip," said the Guide, as they all got up from the -grass. - -"No sooner said than done!" answered Fred, starting for the woods. - -When the chores were done, the campers gathered about the Guide who -proposed that they go to the cliff and sit on the sand to hear the tale. - -"Who's turn is it for a legend?" asked Elena, after they had found -comfortable positions on the warm sand. - -"Doesn't matter whose--we always vote for Miss Miller," replied Hilda. - -A chorus of "How's!" approved this suggestion and the Guide smiled. - -"Let me see! I think I will tell you a Tlingit Myth. It is called 'The -Wolf Chief's Son.' - -"Famine visited a certain place in Alaska one time and many people died -of starvation. But there was a young boy who always went to the forest -with bow and arrow to hunt food for his family and friends and was never -selfish about giving it to others. - -"One day, as he was hunting, he found a little animal that looked like a -puppy dog. This he placed under his blanket and carried home. When he -washed it carefully and took it to his mother to see, she knew it was a -wild forest dog. - -"The boy then painted the dog's face and feet with some red paint left -him by an uncle and when he again went to the forest to hunt he took the -dog with him. There the little animal ran about and brought his master -grouse, birds, and other game, so the boy could carry home more food -than ever before. And this was cooked in a basket-pot by his mother. - -"The next day, the boy again put red paint on the feet and nose of the -dog, that he might trace the little fellow as he ran through the woods. -That day the game caught by the dog kept all the boy's friends from -starving. - -"One day, after the boy had traced the red trail made by the dog a long -way into the forest, he found the little animal had found and killed a -mountain sheep. This was taken home and the fat part given to the dog as -a reward. The rest of the sheep kept the boy's kindred alive that week. - -"The next time the boy and his wild dog went hunting, they found a large -flock of mountain sheep. The dog ran in and killed every one for his -master. The best one was cut open and the dog was fed the tenderest part -and the other sheep were enough to keep most of the villagers from -starving. - -"Then the boy's brother-in-law grew jealous of the many kind things the -villagers said of the boy who hunted and brought in so much food. He -went to the boy and said: 'I wish to hunt and want to borrow, your dog.' - -"The boy did not like to loan to another the little wild forest -companion he had become attached to, so he asked: 'What do you want of -my dog?' - -"'It is doing great things for you and I too wish to find food without -striving hard for it,' replied the man. - -"The boy sighed but his sister implored him to do as her husband asked, -so the boy brought his little dog and carefully painted his feet and -face. Then he turned to his brother-in-law and said: - -"'When he kills a sheep, be sure and feed him the best part. I always do -that and the dog knows it.' - -"The man took the dog and they went to the mountain where a flock of -sheep was grazing. The dog ran in and soon killed every one of them, but -the hunter cut open an old ram and threw the entrails in the dog's -expectant face, saying, 'Dogs eat the insides when a man needs the -tidbits and outside flesh of an animal.' - -"The little dog stood motionless for a moment, then, instead of eating -the entrails as ordered, ran straight up the mountain-side yelping and -crying pitifully, for the gall smarted as it ran into his eyes. - -"The man laughed and carted home the sheep, but the boy looked about -quickly and said: 'Where is my little dog?' - -"'Hoh, it ran away from me when I cut open the sheep.' - -"Then the boy ran to his sister and demanded that she tell him just what -happened on the mountain-side. - -"She told the boy what her husband had done with the entrails and how -the dog ran up the mountain-side yelping. - -"'I wish I had not loaned my dog! I did not want to, but you coaxed me -to it. This shows what folks do with borrowed property that they have -not worked to make perfect. They use the good of it and throw away what -is left. Now I demand that your husband show me the way the dog went,' -cried the boy, in great distress. - -"The sister told her husband he must show the boy the place where the -dog ran away from him. Once on the mountain-side, the boy saw the red -tracks made by his dog and these he followed until he came to a large -lake. - -"Now the forest dog was really the Wolf Chief's Son and because the boy -had painted the dog's face and feet with red paint a wolf has red on its -feet and around its snout to this day. - -"Standing at the lake-side, the boy wondered how he could cross it to -reach a town he saw on the opposite side of the water. As he wished he -might get across, a curl of smoke rose from the ground at his feet. - -"He jumped back in time to see the square of earth where he had been -standing open outward like a door on hinges. Then a woman's voice -quavered forth: 'Come in, come in, my son.' - -"The boy entered and saw an old woman sitting by the roots of a forest -tree, crooning over a pot of broth she was stirring. - -"'I am your grandmother, boy, and I will help you. What do you here all -alone?' - -"Then the boy told about his little dog and how he would like to find it -again. - -"'His people live on the other side of the lake. He is the Wolf Chief's -Son, grandchild--he is not a common dog,' said the woman. - -"'How can I get over there?' asked the boy. - -"'I have a little canoe--you may use that. Here it is,' replied the -grandame as she picked up a shrivelled leaf and handed it to the -astonished boy. - -"'How can I sit in this--it will not carry me?' said he. - -"'When you reach the lake-side just shake it open and it will swell -large in the water. Step in, stretch yourself out in the bottom of the -canoe and wish yourself across. Do not paddle it. When you are on the -other shore wish the canoe back to me and it will come.' - -"The boy did as directed and reached the opposite side of the lake, but -instead of wishing the canoe back again he wished it a leaf and this he -placed in his pocket for future use. - -"At the Wolf Chief's village he found some boys playing tug-of-war with -the ends of the rainbow. He stood watching for a moment but he came for -his little dog so he inquired the way to the Wolf Chief's wigwam. It was -at the end of the village. Here he found the people sitting about an -evening fire and the little dog was playing in front of Wolf Chief. - -"The boy watched and called joyfully to the dog, but the Wolf Chief -growled forth: 'A human is near us. Clear a way before him.' - -"At that the little dog ran up and sniffed the stranger. He knew him at -once and caught his garments between his teeth and dragged the visitor -over to his father, Wolf Chief. Here he barked out the story of the -boy's kindness to him when he was down in the valley. - -"Then the Wolf Chief welcomed the boy, saying: 'I sent my son to help -you hunt when I heard how you were helping the people to keep from -starving. Because you were grateful to your dog I will show you more -kindness. My boy shall not go back with you, but this is what I will -give you: This fish-hawk's quill to hunt with. Whenever you meet a bear -or sheep, hold the quill straight out and it will fly from your hand to -lodge in the animal's heart. Then remove the quill and clean it well to -keep for another trial.' - -"The boy took the quill and thanked the Chief. - -"Then the Wolf Chief added: 'I will also give you a great treasure as I -see you are a grateful lad.' - -"He removed a blanket from a tripod and handed it to the boy. 'Use this -for sickness or death. If a friend is ill cover him with this blanket -and he will immediately recover again.' - -"Again the boy thanked the Chief earnestly. - -"Then the Wolf Chief placed something in the boy's mouth, saying: -'Swallow this as you have a long journey before reaching your home -again. This will keep you from being hungry or weary.' - -"Then the little dog and the boy wept over each other, for they had been -fond companions, and the boy started homeward, being very careful of the -quill and medicine blanket. - -"As the boy came down the mountain-side near the village he met a bear -that stood in the trail and growled at him. He held the quill straight -at the beast and it flew right into the bear's heart. Then the boy took -the quill and cleaned it well. Next he cut some bearsteaks for immediate -use and covered over the remainder. - -"The boy reached his village from which he thought he had been absent -only two days and nights, but he found he had been gone two years--so -swiftly had the time passed while he had been at the Wolf Chief's -village by the lake-side. - -"As he entered the village he found it had been totally destroyed and -everyone was dead. He felt dreadfully sad at this discovery but he -remembered the medicine blanket, and this he placed over every member of -his family and they immediately came to life. Then he placed it over -everyone in the village and brought them all back to life--even the -brother-in-law who had been so ungrateful. - -"When all were alive once more they needed food so the boy ran to the -mountain and found a great flock of wild sheep. With the quill he soon -killed them and ordered the people to carry them home. - -"The villagers were so astonished when they saw him kill wild beasts -with a quill that they agreed to have him hunt for the entire village -and promised to pay him with skins and weapons for the meat. - -"When the villagers were nourished they told the boy that while he was -absent every tribe of people were killed by the famine and the plagues. -The boy then decided to visit the nations and revive the people by means -of the medicine blanket. This he did, but he only brought the good and -beautiful back to life, leaving the cruel and vicious, and deformed -ones, dead. And this he did for every creature on the earth. The bad and -worthless were killed off with the quill but the good and faithful -creatures were kept alive with the blanket. Thus it happened that the -earth became a beautiful spot to live in, for all men were as brothers, -and all creatures walked in the trails of man without fear or desire to -kill. And to this day, the boy feeds his people and everyone is happy -and at peace." - -As the Guide finished her story the Woodcrafters cried "How! How!" but -Fiji said: "I wish we had that blanket and quill at this present time!" - -"No such luck! It is war, war, war to the bitter end, I guess," added -Fred. - -"And starvation or famine and plagues for the world!" sighed Zan. - -"I'm not so sure but that the Hunter with the Medicine Blanket of Life -is again on earth to revive all the good and true people to everlasting -joy and peace," ventured the Guide, quietly. - -"Why, just think, if Fred or Fiji were two years older they would have -to go to France and be killed," cried Zan, fervently. "Some day in the -future maybe, Miss Miller, but no one can say there is joy or peace with -all this misery brought about by war." - -"No, my dear, not in the future--right now! I firmly believe that the -world will awaken to realise this wonderful state of existence shortly. -And if we believe any part of the Scriptures we _must_ believe the -prophecies of many writers of that Book. There is no room for doubt that -this is the time that is spoken of as 'The Day of the Lord.' But let us -consider other things now, even though Sunday is a good day to discuss -the heavenly conditions that will prevail the moment the 'dragon' is -over-powered. You see, I become so tremendously interested in this -warfare of Michael and Gabriel, the Two Angels that war against the -Dragon and the Beast, that I dare not pursue the subject further. You -would oust me from the Tribe if I talked of nothing but the New -Jerusalem. You are here to talk of Woodcraft instead," said Miss Miller, -springing up and looking brightly around for a new form of -entertainment. - -"I wonder how many of you ever gave a thought to the Woodcraft work -secrets contained in the sea?" said Miss Miller, gazing down from the -plateau to the stretch of glistening beach where the tide was nearing -its highest mark. - -"In the sea?" laughed Eleanor sceptically, as the others joined the -Guide and looked where she did. - -"Yes, and wonderful secrets it holds for us, too. Come, and I will show -you a few." - -Miss Miller picked up a glass fruit jar which had held some preserves -from home, and advising the others to find receptacles for the -collection she would show them, started down the sand-bank. - -"First, I would suggest that each girl find five or ten smooth round sea -pebbles as near a size as possible. These we will ask the boys to carry -in their pockets for us. I will show you what wonderful jack-stones they -make. In fact, the game originally was played with smooth stones. It was -only in later years that the iron imitations were manufactured and -placed upon the market. - -"Then let me tell you, that a collection of large oval light-coloured -stones make the prettiest sort of a marker to line off a flower-bed or -pathway. If they are well set in sand they will not roll or become muddy -from the rain that falls upon the soil of the garden. The sand holds -them in place and keeps them clean. - -"Another suggestion for Hand-craft for a Woodcrafter, is this: find a -large flat oval stone washed smooth by the sea and upon one side you can -paint a marine picture or, if you cannot paint, a conventional design -can be used to decorate it. This makes a lovely paper-weight for a -friend, or for your own desk. - -"For Edith and her little brother, we can hunt for pebbles that resemble -fruits and vegetables. Then the Little Brownies can play store to their -heart's content." - -"That will be fine, Miss Miller, and I'll help the girls find what I -need for a store," declared Edith, accepting the suggestion for the -deed. - -"Let's hurry then, as Edith will want us to collect every pebble on the -beach--I know her aspirations when a new game is mentioned," laughed -Elizabeth. - -"She isn't 'the only pebble on the beach' for that weakness," commented -Fred, looking at his elder sister. - -"Chump Mark for Fred--he used slang!" cried Elizabeth. - -But Zan was busy watching the Guide fill her glass jar with certain -pebbles, and the hint to bestow a Chump Mark was passed by. - -The jar filled, Miss Miller filled the remaining crevices with salt -water, then screwed the lid on the jar. - -"Now, look at this--isn't it pretty? Do you think a bottle of these -beautifully coloured and veined sea pebbles will elicit an interest if -sent to a sick friend or a bed-ridden child in a Home?" asked the Guide, -holding the jar at arm's length that all could see the varied hued -pebbles which were enhanced by the salt water. - -"Aren't they just lovely! But where under the sun did you ever hear of -these things, Miss Miller?" cried Jane. - -"I wish we had baskets to hold a bushel of these pebbles and we could -fill lots of wide-mouthed bottles from Dad's office to present to his -little patients at the Children's Hospital," said Zan. - -"We might fill the empty boxes we were going to burn up when we cleaned -up camp," suggested Hilda. - -"Boys, you run up to the camp and bring us the boxes while we collect -the prettiest stones we can find," said Zan, leading the way along the -beach. - -The boys did as ordered and, the tide running out fast by this time, the -girls soon found marvelously figured and coloured pebbles left on the -sand. - -"Now that we are at this collecting work I may as well add the secrets -of the shells. If you place various shapes and kinds of shells with the -pebbles the bottle will look even prettier than if filled with stones -alone," suggested Miss Miller. - -"Elena, do you see these deep white scallop shells? They make splendid -paint-cups for water-colours. I always use them in preference to china -dishes," said the Guide, turning to the artist. - -"Girls, let us gather as many as you think we will need this winter for -our art-work!" exclaimed Zan, and thereupon, the girls busied themselves -with the new diversion. - -"Here we are, Miss Miller, what shall we do with the boxes we were sent -for?" called Fiji, sliding down the steep incline of the sand-dune. - -"Oh--let the boys find the pebbles and fill the boxes for us while we -collect the shells," cried Jane, looking at the Guide for approval. - -"Do you boys wish to do that?" asked she. - -"Cert. Anything you say. We haven't a thing to do until church is over, -you know," laughed Jack. - -"Meaning this Sunday enjoyment? Well, it is a heap more fun than I would -have believed possible," declared Zan. - -"As long as the boys are doing that work I can show you girls some other -secrets," said Miss Miller, looking for deep large-sized clam shells -cleansed as only the sea can wash a shell. - -"This kind of shell make the nicest kind of ramekins for baked fish, or -tarts, and other small side-dishes. They also can be used for -bone-dishes or small side-plates when camping. - -"Now see these yellow opalescent shells? Well, they make pretty salt and -pepper dishes. Even for a city table, they are unique and artistic. I -have often grouped three in some glue on a round wooden disk and -decorated the wood with pyrography and then used the small sea-snail -shells to glue under the three centre pieces. It looked too pretty for -anything when completed and ready to send to a friend for a gift. - -"I also have made pin-cushions of two fitted scallop shells. The hollow -is filled with saw-dust, and a strip of satin or velvet covering the -slight aperture made by the opened shells is glued inside the shells. A -ribbon sewed to the hinge of the shell is used to hang the cushion on -the side of the dressing-table mirror." - -"Oh dear me, Miss Miller, wait a minute till we get time to take it all -in," laughed Elena, eager to note everything the Guide said. - -"Girls, let's collect the shells necessary for the things Miss Miller -explains about, and then we can have her teach us how to make the things -some day at the Gym," suggested Zan. - -"That's a good idea. Now, Miss Miller, what else do you know about shell -secrets?" added Jane. - -"I have made beautiful portieres of these golden paper shells. Most of -them have a small hole in the end--see there? And some haven't the tiny -perforation--these I burn in with a red-hot hatpin so that each shell -may be threaded on a strong length of Japanese cord. This cord is finer -and stronger than any made in this country, and is used for -bead-curtains and reed portieres. - -"After threading a shell you must tie the cord once in and out the hole -to keep the shell from slipping down and crowding the others that are -threaded on the same cord. - -"I have also trimmed decorative scarfs with this kind of shell fringe, -but fancy scarfs are not in vogue now as much as they used to be. - -"These two ideas will give you many other ideas where the shells can be -used. I should think Elena could suggest some new ways." - -"Oh, oh, _OH!_ Listen to me!" shouted Nita, jumping up and down -frantically, as she waved both arms about in her excitement. - -"Goodness sakes! I thought Nita stepped on a sea-serpent!" laughed the -Guide, turning to hear the great news. - -"Won't it be _perfectly grand_ to have a costume covered with these -sea-shells, and fringes of them hanging down from the skirt and sleeves, -so they will rattle when I dance? I will invent a sea-dance to go with -the costume. What about it, eh?" cried Nita. - -"Great! If we only had another day to stop here and collect the shells," -returned Jane. - -"Miss Miller, I bet anything, Nita could win an honour from Headquarters -for an ideal dance and costume like that!" said Zan. - -"Girls, you go on and get whatever you want for shell-work and just -leave that dress to me. I'll dig and pick all day till it's time to -start for home, but I'll have that shell dress or die!" promised Nita, -eagerly. - -"We may as well help Nita with her work as we can use any left-over -shells for our fancy work. I was only going to add, that work-boxes -hinged with a strip of glued muslin on one edge of the lid and decorated -with sea-shells glued on the outside, are very pretty gifts for friends. - -"I have also made lovely picture frames, and mirror frames of wood -covered with different kinds of shells. In fact, there are endless ways -of using these pretty little trifles cast up for us by the bountiful -sea." - -"While you talk, Miss Miller, we will collect, as the surf is leaving -more and more shells on the sand as the tide recedes," said Hilda, -eagerly picking up everything she saw. - -"O-oh! but it makes your back ache terribly! Mine is simply broken in -two and I can't stoop another time!" declared Eleanor. - -"Oh be a sport, Ella! Don't spoil everything by your whimperings," said -Zan, expressing disgust in her voice. - -"I just guess if you were as delicate as I am your bones would ache, -too!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Thank goodness I'm no hypochondriac!" snapped Zan. - -Eleanor was not sure what that word meant, so she hesitated to publish -her ignorance. She was quite sure, however, that it was Latin for some -illness known only to a doctor or his immediate family. The fact that -she could not reply made her more peevish, and she turned without -another word and walked back to camp. - -"Well I never! If she isn't the poorest kind of a Woodcrafter a Tribe -ever had the bad luck to have hang on to its wings!" exclaimed Zan, -watching the girl saunter away from her companions. - -The other girls tittered but the Guide said: "Oh she's coming on fine, -_I_ think!" - -"Miss Miller!" gasped several voices. - -"You don't believe me, do you? Wait and see!" rejoined the Guide. - -"Well, you always did have a gift for seeing 'swans where others only -saw geese,'" said Zan, whimsically. - -The boys now were heard shouting and the girls turned to see them making -signs. They said they were going to the camp and start dinner. The Guide -signalled that it would be all right as far as she was concerned, so the -girls kept on gathering shells until the call came for dinner. - -Before they reached the camp, however, they saw the boys standing on the -end of the promontory gazing through the glasses out at the Sound. When -they were near enough, they heard Fiji shout through a megaphone made -with his hands: - -"Hurry up! Comp'ny!" - -"Land's sake, who can it be?" cried Zan. - -Before they reached the cliff they could plainly see the white sails of -a boat that was heading straight for the site. - -"If that isn't Dad I'll eat these shells!" cried Elizabeth. - -"Spare enough for that costume of Nita's," laughed Jane. - -"She won't have to crack any teeth on that wager 'cause it is Mr. -Remington," now said Zan, as the sail-boat tacked ever nearer to the -crude pier off the point of land. - -To witness the reception accorded the visitor one would think Mr. -Remington was the long lost Robinson Crusoe. But the moment dinner was -over the boys began to tease for a sail in the boat. - -"We girls want to go, too," declared Elizabeth. - -"The only way I can pay the debt of hospitality is to take you in -installments. 'Ladies and children' first," laughed Mr. Remington. - -"All right, give the girls a little sail and then take us boys for a -trip to catch fish for supper. We ought to get a fine mess with a boat -like this," suggested Fiji. - -"That's only your excuse for a far longer sail than we can have," pouted -Jane. - -"Now it isn't at all, Jenny! But there isn't a crumb of anything but -dessert for supper, you know," said Jack, very ingratiatingly. - -"Miss Miller, I can testify to there being an abundance for another meal -to-day, as I left a hamper of good things to eat at the temporary -refrigerator you built near the camp-kitchen," laughed Mr. Remington, -motioning for the first installment of girls to get in the boat. - -The entire afternoon was given to sailing and watching the others sail, -as turn and turn about was taken. Then supper-time came, and before this -was over the automobiles sounded their horns as they came through the -woodland road to take the campers back to the city. - -"Do you know, it seems as if we have been at camp for a month--so much -has been crowded into these two days," declared Zan. - -"Same here," agreed the other Woodcrafters. - - - - -CHAPTER NINE--A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP - - -Early Monday morning a messenger boy brought May Randall's Woodcraft -chest to the gymnasium and handed Miss Miller a note. The letter was -type-written on plain paper so no clue was given to the sender or -writer. Just a few lines saying how sorry the writer was that the -disappearance of the box had caused the trouble it had. - -The note was not signed and many conjectures were made as to who could -possibly have sent it, or where the chest could have been all this time. -Even Eleanor seemed as anxious as any other girl to find out who sent -the note or took the box away only to return it. - -To every query as to who the culprit might be, Miss Miller shook her -head and maintained a strict silence. But she was greatly disappointed -in Eleanor, for she had no idea the girl could act the part of a -hypocrite as perfectly as she was doing in this case. - -That afternoon, when the other girls had gone to Zan's house to work on -the bead bands, Eleanor stopped in at the gymnasium to see Miss Miller. - -"Don't you think I carried it out well?" said she, as she sat in the -chair beside the Guide. - -"It all depends on what one considers 'well,'" replied Miss Miller, -earnestly. - -"I mean--I got away with the note and return of the box without anyone -dreaming who it was," explained Eleanor, evidently eager to have the -teacher commend her sagacity. - -"I am sorry you have such a short-sighted view of right and wrong. The -last deception you played is even worse than the first, for you were -informed of your mistake and ought to make full amends. As you have left -it now, every innocent boy or girl in school may be wrongly thought the -thief!" - -Miss Miller purposely used the hard term "thief" to try and rouse the -girl to a sense of her obligation. It seemed to bite in. - -"O-oh--Miss Miller!" gasped Eleanor. "No one can call a practical joke a -theft! You are dreadfully strict and unfair." - -"As I said before, there is only one thing left for you, in honour -bound, to do. And that is to tell May all about the trick--as you name -it--and let her tell the other girls if she likes," replied Miss Miller. - -"I just guess not! I'm not so stuck on this silly old Band as to obey -your fanatical advice. I'll get out of Woodcraft first!" snipped -Eleanor, as she got up and hurriedly left the room. - -The Guide, left alone, sighed and dropped her head upon her arms that -were resting on the desk. - -"I am not so sure but someone else will do better in my place as Guide. -The other girls are so good and lovable that I can work wonders with -them, but it was not the lambs _in_ the fold that our Saviour sought to -save--they were perfectly safe already. It was the disobedient, -wandering lamb on the mountain-steeps. And He saved it. This lamb seems -beyond my call or power to reach." - -Then suddenly came the brightening flash of Nita and the wonderful -reformation worked in the girl when all seemed lost. And the temporarily -discouraged Guide stood up and smiled. - -"I'll do my part. And Father Spirit, lend me all aid!" - -During that week, plans were made for another camp to be enjoyed from -Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. This time the girls decided to climb -the Orange Mountains to seek an inland site. For this outing, the Guide -had asked the girls to write up short essays or comments on various -subjects that would be of interest to an out-door student. - -One request was for facts on forestry movements. Another required the -girl to find something interesting about the fishing industry. Another -mentioned items on agriculture, and still others spoke of news on -manufactures, music, art, flowers, and Nature crafts. - -The work necessary to find the facts to these questions kept the girls -well occupied during the evenings of that week, as they had to seek in -the public library as well as in magazines, papers, and encyclopedias at -home. - -After all the hard work and eager preparations, when all were ready to -start that Friday afternoon, the Woodcrafters were doomed to deep -disappointment. It began to drizzle shortly after school opened in the -morning and the weather grew constantly worse until the rain was pouring -by recess time. By noon the out-of-doors proved a veritable "wet -blanket" on the spirits of the Woodcrafters and they gathered -disconsolately in the gymnasium at three o'clock, wishing they lived in -Egypt at the dry season of the year. - -Even as Hilda tried in vain to console the others that perhaps the rain -would clear off before evening so they could start early Saturday -morning, the telephone bell rang. Miss Miller took up the receiver and -answered the call. - -"Yes, this is Miss Miller. - -"They are here now, bemoaning the Fates that sent the rain to spoil -their week-end camp," said the Guide, to someone's query on the other -end of the wire. - -The girls perked up their ears when they heard it related to their camp -hopes. - -"Oh, oh! How splendid! How good of you to bother!" the Guide beamed -delightedly into the receiver. - -"Will we care to come! Oh Mrs. Remington wait till I tell the girls so -you can hear the Babel of sound that will crack the telephone -instrument," laughed Miss Miller, holding the instrument away from her -face as she turned to address the Band. - -"Mrs. Remington fears it will rain all night and to-morrow, and knowing -of your plans for a mountain camp, she is as sorry as we are about the -weather. But she offers us the use of the Council House at Mossy Crest -for the camp. It is the great barn turned into one large room and all -laid out for Woodcraft Councils. When Mr. Remington built the new barn -and garage, he had this one renovated. A splendid floor for dancing and -games is laid on top of the other heavy oak floor and the side-walls are -all covered with burlap and decorated--but wait till you see it for -yourself." - -The shout that rose in acceptance of the camp offer was distinctly heard -by Mrs. Remington who laughed to herself. Miss Miller turned to accept -the invitation when Zan cried: - -"Tell her it is a heavenly refuge from the storm!" - -The other girls laughed and Jane added: "Sort of 'any harbour for a -wreck!'" - -"Oh won't we have a glorious time practising new steps. Besides, girls, -I invented a sea-shell dance that's perfectly adorable," cried Nita, -glad of the camp with a good dancing floor. - -"When can we start?" asked practical Hilda. - -"As soon as you like--I am waiting for the word," replied the Guide. - -"We can't walk--I'd better call up Jim on this 'phone and see if he can -come over," said Zan. - -"And call up Mom too, Zan, and have her send over our machine. I guess -we can all crowd in the two as there won't be any tents or equipment to -cart," added Jane. - -After a short period of waiting that seemed to the impatient -Woodcrafters like an age, the cars came to the school and the girls -hurried out regardless of the pouring rain. At Mossy Crest the -Remingtons, from the Lady of the Place down to little Teddy, stood in a -row inside the great barn doors ready to welcome the visitors. - -"I'm tickled to pieces to have you girls spend the week-end with us," -called Elizabeth, the moment the two autos brought the visitors within -hearing. - -"And I can show you girls a lot more in Woodcraft right here where I -have my equipment than at a mountain camp," added Mrs. Remington. - -So before four o'clock, the Band discovered the rain to be a blessing in -disguise for they found the Council House everything that an -enthusiastic Woodcrafter could want. - -"But the disguise is rather damp, just the same," added Zan, when Jane -mentioned the blessing. - -"Not indoors," retorted Elizabeth. "We had Alfred help the boys bring -the curtains and cots from the hay-loft where we store all camp outfits -when not in use. That great trap-door opens on a pulley so we can hoist -things up and down without much labour. Now come and see your bed-rooms -for the visit." - -The delighted girls trooped after their young hostess while she pointed -out the manner in which Mrs. Remington had fitted up the House. Down one -side of the large room, a row of 2 x 4 posts had been erected and upon -these were firmly fastened the poles that held the white muslin -curtains. The space thus divided from the main room was partitioned by -similar curtains hung on shorter poles, making small rooms about 8 x 10 -feet. In each room stood a single cot and a small wash-stand bureau with -a tiny mirror over it. A simple canvas camp-chair completed the -furnishing of each space in this dormitory. - -When there were no occupants for the rooms, the entire outfit was taken -down and stored in the loft overhead. A wide cobble-stone chimney had -been constructed in one corner of the building for beauty, comfort, and -utility. It was equipped with a crane and pot-hanger so cooking could be -done over the open fire on the hearth. - -"Isn't this just scrumptious?" cried Nita, pivoting on her toes on the -smooth floor. - -"I'll test the cots and tell you if I agree with you," laughed Jane, who -dearly loved to sleep late in the morning. - -That supper was a jolly affair, for not only Elizabeth and the two -younger children attended the camp-meal, bringing their share of the -provender with them, but later on Mr. and Mrs. Remington, and lastly, -Fred came in, carrying donations in exchange for an invitation to dine. - -"Mother ought to give the servants a night off!" laughed Fred. - -"All we need to have a regular Grand Council are the Baker and Hubert -boys with us," declared Mrs. Remington. - -"Never too late to repent!" said Fred; then other subjects crowded the -idea out of thought of the other members but was remembered the next day -when Fred showed results of the suggestion. - -Tin platters and cups, and aluminium cutlery, were always kept in the -Council House, and these made a great rat-a-tat as the hungry Band cut -or scooped and rattled on the plates. - -Supper over, Mr. Remington called Fred to roll out the Grand Circle -furniture from the harness room which had been converted into a property -room. Soon the huge logs decorated in true Woodcraft style, and a large -grass rug woven by the Black Bear Tribe and presented to this Council -House, were placed in the centre of the great space, and the girls of -Wako Tribe with their guests, assembled for an enjoyable evening. - -"You have some artistic totems, Mrs. Remington," said Elena, looking -about at the unique and decorative emblems belonging to many Tribes -started successfully by the lady. - -"Yes, and I am very proud of them. They stand for Tribes of girls and -boys who are filling their niche in the Scheme of Things." - -"My personal Totem painted and presented to Mrs. Remington's Council -House is largest and most practical of all--see who can pick it out from -the others," laughed Mr. Remington. - -"Now Fred, you know that isn't fair to these girls. How would anyone -know that your totem--so-called by you--is painted on the canvas walls? -My dears, Mr. Remington is such an ardent disciple of Woodcraft that he -needs must cover at least fifty feet of material with his totem," said -Mrs. Remington. - -It was not difficult after this direct lead to select the burlap -wall-covering which was painted to imitate forest trees somewhat like -Elena's screen, as the totem mentioned by the host. This neutral -back-ground furnished an excellent contrast for the gay blankets, rush -mats, birch-bark articles, and other items that are made and decorated -by Woodcrafters during their meetings. - -When all signs of supper had been cleared away (and "many hands make -light work," you know) the usual Council ceremony was performed. This -over, Zan stood up and said: - -"Are there any suggestions for the evening's entertainment?" - -"O Chief!" replied Miss Miller, standing, "I suggest that we read the -essays prepared for this week-end." - -"We-ell, I suppose we _might_ unburden our souls of that much trouble," -remarked Zan, slowly, causing a laugh at her words. - -"Of course--I mean, O Chief! Of course, as it may clear off by morning -and then we can be out-doors. We won't care to sit hearing lectures or -reading them to others when the calls of Nature entice us," added Jane. - -"Ha! it seemeth that Jane groweth poetical!" teased Zan. - -"O Chief! Who wouldn't feel that way with the music of the floods -echoing on this tin roof?" retorted Jane. - -Another laugh at Zan's expense put everyone in a merry mood, but Miss -Miller meant business and not frivolity, so she asked the girls if the -papers were all ready to read. - -Most of the members signified that the papers were on hand to read, so -the Chief called upon Hilda, as she was the first one at her right. - -"My query was to find some interesting forestry news. I sought and -finally found what I wanted in a weekly periodical called 'The Sentinel' -and published at Boston. I learned that the forest fires of 1916 caused -a loss of more than $9,000,000.--six times as much as has been spent in -forest protection work. And what is so lamentable is that these fires -could all have been prevented--they were the results of rank -carelessness. - -"In British Columbia, on account of the forest efficiency service, the -number of fires last year were only half the number of those of the -preceding year. - -"The tree seedlings and uncut timber are usually destroyed or greatly -damaged by these forest fires. A most important part of forest work is -to dispose of the lumbering slash which makes a very hot fire when once -started. This slash must be collected and disposed of as soon as -possible after the lumber operations are finished. Lumber companies are -urged to cooperate with the forest service in the protection of our -valuable timber tracts. - -"Last year, about 40,000 forest fires occurred in the United States and -burned over 5,900,000 acres, causing irretrievable losses. - -"The forest products from Finland constitute 70% of its total exports, -and the income from this branch of trade amounts to about $96,500,000. -annually. - -"During 1916 the United States Forest Commission constructed 227 miles -of new roads through national forests, 1975 miles of trails, 2225 miles -of telephone lines, 89 miles of fire lines, 81 lookout towers, 40 -bridges, 222 miles of fencing, 545 dwellings, barns, and other -structures, 17 corrals, and 202 water improvements." - -As Hilda concluded and sat down, the audience expressed amazement at the -gigantic losses to beautiful forest districts of this country, and Mr. -Remington stood up to speak. - -"O Chief, I think this is the right time to warn every Woodcrafter -present to be careful and impress upon friends to use the utmost care in -helping the forest fire commissioners. We can do this by never leaving a -spark of live fire from our camp-fires, by not throwing waste paper or -other inflammable trash about that others may, through carelessness, set -fire to, and not to _smoke_ in a forest where dry leaves and tinder -ignite very quickly." - -"How! How!" approved the Woodcrafters as Mr. Remington sat down. - -"The next reader on my list is Nita," announced Zan. - -"Miss Miller gave me a paper about fish. Why this should fall to my lot, -goodness only knows. I hate fish for food, and simply can't bear the -smell of them. But I discovered some interesting facts about them, -nevertheless. - -"First I found that Alaska shipped 4,916,000 cases of salmon to the -United States trade and the value of this shipment was over $23,800,000. - -"Then I read that an attempt is being made to establish lobster beds on -the Pacific Coast. Recently over 5400 crustaceans were shipped from -Maine to Washington. - -"Also, salmon worth $250,000. at the great canneries of the Northwest -States left Seattle, Washington, for the New York markets. There were -fifty trains packed full of cases holding cans of salmon. - -"I learned that two great fish banks abounding in millions of sea bass -have been discovered off Cape Fear bar on the North Carolina coast. One -bank is more than three and a half miles wide and two and a half miles -long. - -"The Bureau of Fisheries report over $6,000,000. worth of fish brought -into New England ports during the year of 1916. The fishing fleets of -Gloucester, Boston, and Portland total about 512 steamers and sailing -vessels. - -"At Boston alone the 3039 trips made by its vessels land annually over -98,500,000 pounds of fish valued at $2,159,895. At Portland the catch -weighed about 20,800,000 pounds and was worth about $550,000. At -Gloucester, the men caught about 66,500,000 pounds in 2864 trips and it -was valued at $2,150,000. - -"Besides our local fishing ports, the United States Bureau sent 450 -black bass, 500 rock bass, 1000 catfish, and 800 sunfish to Gatun Lake -in the Canal Zone. They wish to experiment with the fish breeding in -these southern waters to supply the demand of people living in that -zone. The lake covers an area of 164 miles and offers an ideal place for -fish, as it has many islands, shallow sandy shores, and deep and rocky -banks, so that almost any fish-mother and house-keeper ought to be -satisfied with conditions there." - -As Nita finished reading, Mrs. Remington stood up and said: "O Chief! I -think this plan of educational entertainment fine! Not only am I hearing -news items of moment to every good citizen but you girls are being -trained in composing essays worth while. I will, with permission of Wako -Tribe, try this idea with my own girls." - -"How!" responded the girls, and Miss Miller smiled with gratification at -the compliment paid her girls and herself. - -"It's Jane's turn now," said Zan, turning to the next reader. - -"You gave me a poser, Miss Miller, as I couldn't say much about animal -life that Woodcrafters did not know already. But I found that over -$30,000,000 is invested in the black fox industry at Prince Edward -Island, Canada. Insurance on these valuable animals runs as high as -$1500 on a single skin. The fox farms are of recent origin and every -successful scientific method is applied to the rearing and care of the -foxes so that perfect and valuable furs will result. - -"In St. Louis, Mo., a sale of undressed furs opened recently and more -than 1,599,000 skins were sold at a valuation of $2,000,000. - -"Then, I find that five big game reserves and sixty-seven bird -reservations are maintained by the Biological Department of the United -States Department of Agriculture. Among them are the Montana Bison -Range, the Wind Game Preserves of South Dakota, the Elk Refuge in -Wyoming, and the Niobrara Reservation which was intended for birds but -has been stocked with buffalo and elk for the present. - -"In 1892 the United States Government used its influence to establish a -reindeer breeding industry in Alaska. In that year a herd was imported -from Siberia and for ten consecutive years an annual importation -continued from that country. In that time 1200 reindeer were brought to -Alaska and now 70,000 deer graze the plains and valleys from Nome to the -Aleutian Islands. Natives own about 46,000 of these deer; and in the -public schools and other classes the Indians are taught to judge deer, -to train them for sledge-work, and to care for and breed them -successfully." - -"This is most interesting. Had anyone asked me offhand, if Alaska used -reindeer for practical use I would have answered 'No, of course not, you -have to go to Greenland and Siberia for them,'" said Fred Remington. - -"Elena, your turn next," said Zan, as Fred sat down. - -"I was given the paper about play-grounds or parks," explained Elena, -opening her paper to read. "In Spain, all exceptionally picturesque or -historical regions, forests, lands, or buildings, that the state may -select, will be used for national parks. The natural beauty of the land, -the fauna and flora, as well as the geological and water features of -these parks, will be protected and provide suitable places of interest -for everyone. The reigning king, finding that many natural fauna were -disappearing from Spain, began this movement which will prove to be a -good precedent for other countries to follow before it is too late. - -"In our United States, over 1,500,000 people use the National -Playgrounds each year, provided by the Government for the public. The -present policy of the American Forestry Association is to secure such -disposition of public lands as will afford a maximum benefit and joy to -the people. - -"National Parks in Hawaii are a recent improvement. They cover 75,000 -acres and include the crater areas and natural wonders of the three -great Hawaiian volcanoes, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Haleakala. The latter, -less familiarly known than the other two, has a crater 2000 feet deep -and offers the greatest volcanic spectacle this side of the moon." - -As Elena finished reading Zan turned and asked Anne Mason to read her -paper. - -"I was given the subject 'New and Interesting Manufactures Pertaining to -Forest Products.' And most interesting it proved to be. - -"The manufacture of fuel alcohol from pine sawdust is a new industry in -connection with the sawmills in Texas and Louisiana. At Fullerton, La., -a plant costing more than $750,000. is turning out more than 5,000 -gallons of fuel alcohol a day. - -"Also, more than twenty thousand tons of wood-flour valued at $300,000. -are annually used in the United States for the manufacture of dynamite -and for inlaid linoleum. It is also used for making composition -flooring, oat-meal wall paper, and other things. In the past, the great -sawmills of the United States used half of this waste for fuel in their -furnaces and the other half was burned as refuse and discard. Now, -however, the huge waste product has found a way to be practically used -instead of being burned. - -"In the manufacture of linoleum the wood-flour is mixed with a cementing -material, spread out on burlap, and rolled to form an even thickness. -The cement is the item that makes linoleum so expensive. Cork linoleum -is cheaper as it uses less cement. Wood-flour linoleum is light-coloured -while cork linoleum is always a dark brown and is slightly more elastic -than that of wood-flour, but the wearing qualities are about the same. - -"Wood-pulp can be made from many kinds of wood heretofore unused for -this purpose. Samples of more than seventy kinds of paper made from -wood-pulp have proven to be satisfactory. The cost of spruce-wood-pulp -has increased in recent years with the scarcity of spruce, but now -news-paper stock can be kept at the same price as in former years if the -paper made from other woods proves to be acceptable to the printer. The -tests showed that eleven new woods could be used for manufacturing -manila paper and cardboards. But these woods are mostly grown in the -West while the large plants for manufacturing products from wood-pulp -are in the East. Some change of location must take place to deduct the -cost of transportation of the raw wood to the mills, as this will prove -to be a most important item in the cost to the consumer. - -"There are over 30,000 sawmills in this country and the Forest Service -is compiling a report as to the manufactures of each mill: the wood -mostly used, the number of laths and shingles made, and the quantity of -lumber turned out annually. - -"That's all I could collect in the short time allotted," said Anne, -sitting down. - -"It is more than I dreamed anyone could find to prove so interesting. I -like this stunt--don't you girls?" commented Zan. - -"How! How!" came the answer. - -"Now May, what did you find for us?" said the Chief. - -"I sought for items of interest about our waterways. I found that one of -the greatest reservoirs and water regulating projects in New York State -is the construction of two dams, one at Conklingville on the Sacandaga -River, and the other at Tumblehead Falls on the Schroon River in the -Adirondacks. The plan is to control the flow of the upper Hudson River -so that the plants using water power shall have a steadier flow all -Summer. The reservoir at Conklingville will be about 30 miles long and 5 -miles wide. In the Schroon River it will be about 15 miles long and -about 2 miles wide. - -"In the Pend Oreille River, about 25 miles north of Spokane, Washington, -a dam 375 feet higher than the bed of the river is constructed. It has -an extreme length of 250 feet at the crest and will be 25 feet higher -than the Arrow Rock Dam which was the highest in the world. The only -site where this dam could be built was in a canon where the river runs -100 feet deep at low water and over 150 feet deep in flood-times." - -May sat down and Mildred was called upon to read. - -"I wasn't quite sure of what I was supposed to do, so I collected a few -short notes--but I can do better next time, Miss--O Chief!" explained -Mildred. - - -[Illustration: _A RACE, WHILE "WAKO" SAT ON THE FENCE._] - - -"I had 'crops' so I found that peanuts are the chief agricultural wealth -of Madras, India. In 1916 there were over 1,700,000 acres planted and -the yield of peanuts was estimated at about 600,000 tons. This last year -the peanut crops from every country where they are grown are said to be -double the harvest of any previous year." - -"Ha! That's good news, for I love the plebeian nut!" laughed Zan, as -Mildred sat down. - -"Who's next to read?" continued the Chief, glancing at her list. - -"I wrote up a paper about fruit, O Chief!" said Frances, now standing. - -"Good! Let's hear it." - -"The strawberry crops of 1916 were worth over $20,000,000 to the -growers. This was considered a record breaker but the crops of 1917 -exceeded those of the previous year about a third. - -"The total fruit crops of this country amount to about $250,000,000 -value annually and the 1917 products are said to be the heaviest yield -for many years past. The census for canning and drying fruits and -vegetables was taken from 3199 establishments in 1914 and the products -were valued at $158,000,000. If such an enormous sum was invested in -this work in 1914 we may well consider the tremendous wealth of the -products of 1917, with such wonderful yield of crops and with everyone -eager to preserve the bounty of fruit and vegetables given us by Nature. - -"One of Portugal's exports is dried figs. Since the markets of Germany -and Russia have been closed by the war, the largest trade held by the -Portuguese is suspended. The only good market still open for these figs -is the United States. Last year Portugal shipped over 10,500,000 pounds, -valued at $400,000, to this country. - -"The cocoanut industry promises to become one of Panama's main sources -of trade. Cocoanut trees ought to be planted about 70 to the acre and -when these mature, as they do in about five years' time, they bring -forth about 100 cocoanuts to a tree every year. They bear fruit actively -for more than twenty years, thus proving a good investment to the -planter." - -This reading was applauded by the audience and then Zan asked if Eleanor -had complied with the request to write up some item. - -"I have one but it really is not worth reading as my slip of paper asked -for an article not half so interesting as the other girls had," replied -Eleanor, with an unpleasant manner. - -"In June, 1916, school children in all sections of Cincinnati, Ohio, -were started on little gardens where flowers and vegetables, or small -fruits were raised. The plan finally launched the window-gardens which -have made such a great improvement in the appearance of the city -streets. The beauty of the floral boxes so impressed the city -authorities that they agreed to offer seeds free to any citizen who -would plant and care for the flowers. This idea is now spreading to -other large cities and people are encouraged to have flower boxes in -their windows. When will our eastern cities take a forward step like -this?" - -As Eleanor sat down, Mrs. Remington said: "I wish our League would take -up this movement for New York and adjoining large cities. An -organization can do much more than a few individuals." - -"My dear, make a note of this and let us suggest it at the next National -Council," added Mr. Remington. - -"O Chief!" said Elizabeth, standing, "I am not a member of your Band but -I can add a mite to the general reports. I can say that Japan exports to -the United States every year over $1,500,000. worth of Battenburg and -Renaissance work--doilies, covers, and scarfs. Thousands of Japanese -girls do this work at home during their spare hours." - -"How!" cried the girls as their visitor finished her report. - -"Have we anyone else to contribute?" asked the Chief. - -Fred then stood up and cleared his throat--a habit he had when he felt -the least bit embarrassed. - -"I might add that Instructors from the Agricultural College of the -United States gave the Indians new insight into modern farming methods. - -"The first course for Indian Farmers in Wisconsin was held at Kashena, -on the Menominee Reservation, and was attended by scores of Tribes-men." - -"O Chief, I can tell you something, too," cried Billy, as his big -brother sat down. "A treaty between Great Britain and the United States -for the protection of insectivorous birds on both sides of the Canadian -border was negotiated in 1916." - -"Who hasn't read a paper?" asked Zan, looking around. - -"You haven't!" retorted Jane. - -"I know, but I am reserving mine for the last as it is so superlative I -knew the rest of you would feel too discouraged after hearing mine to -read what you had written, so that the meeting would lose many reports," -explained Zan, mysteriously. - -"Then I make a motion that the Chief be asked to make that boast good!" -cried Elizabeth. - -Amid laughter, the motion was loudly seconded and carried, and Zan -waited for the uproar to quiet down before she said: - -"You won't feel so jubilant when you hear the lesson I have ready for -you who persist in a great waste of physical energy. My article was -culled from the pages of 'The Guide to Nature' which is a good magazine -for Woodcrafters published by the Agassiz Association. They found this -article in one of our leading magazines and considered it interesting -enough to reprint." - -Then Zan read a paper she had written in her own amusing style, the main -points of which she had read in the periodical mentioned. - -"In June, 1916, an unusual but tremendously significant fiftieth -anniversary of the chewing gum was ushered in--but not with laurels or -paeans of praise did this gummy little product celebrate. In fact, very -few of its enthusiastic masticators knew a thing of this birthday, until -it was mentioned in the papers. - -"Just think of it! Fifty years of chewing on something that never -satisfies but always attracts more and more--like a nightmare where -money lies scattered everywhere but vanishes when an eager hand tries to -grasp it. - -"We have had all kinds of trouble with Mexico in recent times, but -never, no matter what we do or what they do, can the public of the -United States ever properly reward Mexico for introducing the greatest -boon known to base-ball fans, movie fanatics, and commuters--to say -nothing of the miscellany and Woodcraft folks! - -"It was on a certain occasion when General Santa Anna of Mexico was -calling on a friend at Snug Harbour, Staten Island, that Thomas Adams -also called upon the same friend. While the three talked the General -took a chunk of something resembling a solid bit of over-shoe from his -pocket and cut off a small piece. He placed it in his mouth and began -chewing. Then he offered some to his companions. - -"Mr. Adams looked it over dubiously and said: 'Will you please tell me -where you found it?' - -"Then the General explained that it was the gum of the zapote tree, -better known as 'chicle.' Mr. Adams was a brave man, so he experimented. -As he chewed he evolved a brilliant idea and he asked the General for a -goodly sized piece of the gum. He took it home to see if it could not be -vulcanized for a patented rubber to be used as a basis of artificial -teeth. - -"But the tests proved hopeless for false teeth, as the chicle was too -conscientious to lend itself to any falsity, knowing well that it was -meant for a far greater blessing than to hold porcelain molars in place. -It felt in its soul that it could entertain a great and mighty nation in -its elasticity _between_ the jaws but never to become a part of a jaw. - -"So in a huff, the chemist who was experimenting for Mr. Adams got up -and snapped out: 'The stuff isn't worth a darn for anything but just -chewing!' - -"Now Mr. Adams was a right clever Yankee so he suddenly felt inspired to -try out this curse on the gullible American public, for he felt much as -Barnum did, when he made his speech which will go down in history. - -"So he and his son raised a capital of thirty-five dollars and began the -manufacture of the greatest sorrow-quencher, intensest joy-maker, most -fascinating jaw-acher, and effervescing hunger-stabiliser the world ever -knew. - -"In those pioneer days of chicle, there was no flavouring to lend -enchantment to the gum, and it was chewing for the sake of chewing. -However, once the children found out what a source of annoyance this -chewing gum proved to be to teachers, guardians, and parents, its -success was assured, for let the juvenile American public decide -favourably upon a thing and other verdicts can condemn in vain. Later, -when all protests were futile, the elders had to take to chewing in -sheer self-defence. - -"To such vast proportions has this habit grown that at the present day -the energy used in chewing gum is sufficient to propel a ferry-boat from -New York Harbour to Hong Kong, China. In electrical terms a current -powerful enough to lift 43,305,505 tons 34,000 miles per minutes per -second per kilowatt hour. - -"But to offset these stupendous figures in this loss of jaw-power one -must stop to think of the good chicle has brought to the American -public. - -"It has been the means of having all cars and other transportation -service hang signs in conspicuous places warning the passengers to -conform to the City Health Laws--hence the floors of public places have -been neater and cleaner than ever before. - -"It has been the means of furnishing suitable slot-machines at every -corner, in every popular store, and at every post in railway stations of -every description. These boxes must needs attract the people for the -gum, so they were equipped with mirror fronts to enable the ever-neat -but not gaudy passengers to see that their hats were on straight, that -tips of noses were properly powdered, that neckties were tied in the -latest knot, or that Kaiser moustaches were twisted up at the correct -angle--free from any thoughts of vanity, of course. While viewing these -important details of toilettes folks naturally read the signs assuring -them of the life-giving, harmony-creating, beauty-producing chicle. - -"Now friends, the answer is: Drop one cent in the slot, take the minute -package that shoots out into the pan, start chewing on the fragrant -chicle, and sit in a subway car opposite other masticating engines, and -you will see other hapless passengers run from the car at the next -station and secure a similar package to that your cent brought forth. -Such is the power of suggestion on a subway. The vaccination always -takes!" - -As Zan read, the audience had tittered, but when she concluded and sat -down the younger contingent laughed outright and "How'ed!" Then Miss -Miller stood up. - -"O Chief, I am not sure whether that essay deserves a _coup_ or a Chump -Mark." - -Mr. Remington then jumped up. "It sounded as if our esteemed Chief was -hired by the chicle company as a salesman or demonstrator of their -products!" - -"O Chief!" added Mrs. Remington. "I vote that the writer be awarded an -honour as it is interesting and instructive to learn how great and -universal has the pernicious habit of gum-chewing grown in this -thoughtless age. Perhaps a few more notices like this will rouse the -people to consider the final results of indulging in weakening and -disgusting habits like continual chewing." - -"I'll consider the last speaker's sensible remark," said Mr. Remington, -rising from the log seat. "But I need to retire to weigh the case -impartially." - -"You're not going away, are you?" cried Billy, as his father walked from -the circle. - -"It's long past bed-time and Baby is nodding," explained Mrs. Remington. - -The Guide looked at her wrist watch and then exclaimed: "Goodness me! It -is past eleven o'clock'." - -"The parting song and then we say good-night," said Zan, and the -Woodcrafters all stood to join in the Indian hymn. - -The next morning found the indoor campers as eager for fun as youngsters -ever are, and seeing that the weather was still threatening rain but was -not actually fulfilling its threat, made the Band declare for some -out-door sport without delay. - -While the breakfast dishes were being washed and the room put in order, -voices were heard on the way from the garage. In a few minutes, the -Baker boys, and Jack, with the Remington boys, peeped in at the double -doors. - -"Hello there! Fred Remington invited us over for a hike. Didn't think -you girls would be here, as you were sure of going to Orange Mountain," -said Fiji. - -"Pooh, I know _you_, Fiji Baker! You never thought of a hike until you -heard from Dad that _we_ were here. I bet anything you called up Fred -Remington first and asked him to invite you over!" declared Zan, nodding -wisely. - -"Well, I don't know that it matters much who is right--but it remains a -fact that now we're here we may as well entertain you girls," said Jack -Hubert. - -Instantly every girl was up in arms and what might have transpired is -not known, for the ever watchful Guide comprehended, and said joyfully: - -"Oh how fine! Then you boys will show us how to play 'Hunt the Deer' or -'Bear Hunting.'" - -"I'll run to the house for the bear and spears. Meantime, you can warm -up by having some races," said Fred Remington. - -Fred whispered to Fiji and ran away, and immediately afterward the boys -led the way to the back-road that ran to the pasture. Here they had -running races, jumping and throwing contests, and many other tests -between the girls and boys, until Fred returned with a noticeably new -burlap bear, and wooden spears. - -The rest of the forenoon was enjoyed by having exciting Woodcraft games -of hunting and spearing--both games that tested the surety of the arm -and eye. - -The sun came through heavy clouds during the afternoon and the girls -enjoyed a hike through the woods and fields. Many an item was found that -day to add to the collection of flowers and trees and birds for the new -members' lists. - -Late Sunday evening, as all were ready to depart from the Council House, -it was agreed that never had an indoor camp been so appreciated as this -one by the girls of Wako Tribe. - - - - -CHAPTER TEN--IN FALLING LEAF MOON - - -That week a Council was held to decide upon the merits of the new -members. As each was called upon to answer various questions, the -replies were perfectly satisfactory until it came Eleanor's turn. The -report on her month of probation was not very encouraging to the five -founders of the Tribe. - -"What's the matter, Eleanor--you've had the same time and privileges as -the others?" asked Zan, impatiently. - -"Oh, I don't know as I care to join this crowd. It is always some silly -deference to you as Chief. If Miss Miller was the one we had to ask -permission of before we could speak to the others I wouldn't mind, -'cause she is older and is a teacher, too. But I refuse to kow-tow to -you!" retorted Eleanor. - -"Humph! Guess you got out of bed with your left foot foremost, this -morning," complained Jane. - -"If she don't want to conform to our Tribe laws she can do the other -thing! I have no intention of harbouring mutiny in the circle," added -Zan, angrily. - -"No one asked you to! If the other snobbish girls want to be walked over -just because your father has a car in which they can take a ride now and -then, it's none of my affair. _I_ for one will not act the hypocrite for -the sake of an automobile drive!" snapped Eleanor. - -"Hypocrite! Good gracious! You're the biggest----" - -What it was was not heard, for Miss Miller entered and, frowning, -remarked: "Ladies! Ladies! are we Woodcrafters or are we irresponsible -tramps with no education or refinement!" - -Everyone flushed and looked uncomfortable but Eleanor shrugged her -shoulders and walked out without a word to anyone. - -"Let her go--I only hope it's for good!" grumbled Zan. - -"I am sorry this incident has occurred just now as I brought with me a -letter addressed to the Tribe to be read at this meeting," said the -Guide. - -Not a sound was heard and the teacher continued: - -"The other school girls have heard of the good times and Nature studies -you are having and many of them wish to join you. Of course there can be -but ten more girls added to this Tribe but many of those not selected -can start another Tribe. - -"It seems that Eleanor Wilson has been talking of leaving this Band and -the girls told her how foolish she was when it was going to do her so -much good. But that is just what made the girl still more obstinate. Now -matters have come to a crisis here, for this scene means Eleanor must -stay or go--which shall it be? I know certain unpleasant incidents in -connection with Eleanor's behaviour that would prejudice me against her -did I not know that the girl is in dire need of the training Woodcraft -can give her. What say you?" - -Put up to the girls in this way caused each one to think seriously and -refrain from condemnation. Then the Chief said: "We were speaking of -these things with Mrs. Remington the other day, and she advised us to go -slow and not act in a way that we might regret later." - -"Miss Miller, maybe if we each took this case as a personal matter and -judged Eleanor as if she was our own sister, we might feel more lenient -and patient with her short-comings," said May Randall. - -Miss Miller was pleasantly surprised to hear a new member express such -sentiments, and she nodded approvingly. "I am glad to hear this--shall -we vote to give Eleanor another trial?" - -"O Chief! Let me say a word before any girl votes on a matter that they -may not feel quite satisfied with but will do as the others wish them to -do," said Nita, jumping up and flushing. - -"Proceed." - -"If the new members knew of the trouble at Wickeecheokee this past -Summer and what a change has been wrought in me! Some of you knew me -before this Summer and some did not. But let me say, that this case of -Eleanor Wilson's seems much the same in a different dress, and if I have -seen the truth and been helped to a different plane of life cannot -Eleanor do the same? She needs us." - -Nita's earnest voice finished speaking and the girls realised she had -been pleading for the future of a girl's life. The Guide found it -necessary to turn away her face to pretend to look for a paper in her -desk--in reality to dry the sudden moisture in her eyes caused by Nita's -heartfelt words. - -"O Chief! I make a motion that Eleanor be given a patient trial just as -we would do if a girl was sick," said Elena. - -The motion was seconded by Zan, and carried unanimously. - -"Now girls, let us write a letter to the new applicants and let them -know that they may look forward to joining a second Band in November, -and then we will send a short note to Eleanor to tell her how sorry we -were that she did not remain to vote with us," said Zan. - -As impulsive Zan, proud Jane, superficial Nita, and indolent Elena of -last Summer's experiences showed such wonderful improvement for better -and nobler things, Miss Miller felt that the efforts and time spent -about "Her Father's Business" were beginning to bear fruit abundantly. - -That week the Band met two evenings for social and Tribal affairs. The -first meeting was held at Zan's house and the second one at Jane -Hubert's. Both of these places offered ample space for the Indian songs -and dances enjoyed by Woodcrafters, so they were usually selected in -preference to the small rooms of modern apartment houses such as the -ones where Elena, Hilda, and some of the new members lived. At Dr. -Baker's house, the girls were discussing the limited music given by the -tomtom. As the complaints were finished Miss Miller addressed the girls. - -"I find some of our sweetest songs need a greater depth of harmony than -is possible to bring out of hide, so I will suggest a simple instrument -that was much in vogue in ancient days. To-day we hear little of it. Who -present can play on glass?" - -No one could and several voices expressed amazement. - - -"Zan, can you bring me eight thin glass finger bowls? If you haven't -them, just tumblers will do, but the bowls offer a better surface. I -will also want a jug of water and your moist colours," said Miss Miller. - -Zan brought the required articles and Miss Miller placed the eight bowls -in a row on the table. Then she placed a dab of water-colour in each of -seven bowls, leaving one natural water. Next she poured water into the -bowls--different quantities for the different notes. The first bowl was -almost full of water and that had no colour in it. The second bowl had -not as much water and was coloured red. The third bowl held still less -water which was blue. The fourth with still less water was coloured -yellow. The fifth was green and that was half full. The sixth was less -than half full and was tinged purple. The seventh held a quarter of a -bowl full and was orange. The eighth and last held but little water and -was tinted black. The colours were stirred from the bottom so that all -the paint was well dissolved. - -"Now girls, the bowl holding the clear water, having more in it than the -others, will give us the highest note, and so on down the scale until we -reach the lowest note which holds least water in the bowl. - -"By placing the highest note and fullest bowl at my right hand and so on -until the lowest note is at my extreme left, I can play the scale just -as if I was playing on a piano." - -Miss Miller carefully moistened her fingers in the water and also -moistened the edges of the bowls. - -"Now listen and tell me what I am playing?" said she. - -The Guide lightly passed her moist fingertips around the rim of the -right-hand bowl and produced a clear sweet tone. - -"G!" called the girls as she looked for their reply. - -"Now these?" - -Again she passed her fingers over the rims of the glasses and played the -scale. As she brought out the notes the girls gathered about the table -and listened with surprised interest. - -"Now I will play my favourite patriotic song, 'Our America,' and after I -have played it through you girls might sing it." - - -[Illustration: _OUR AMERICA_] - - - 1 - - America, America, thou gavest birth - To light that lighteth all the earth. - God keep it pure! - We love that onward leading light; - We will defend it with our might, - It shall endure! - - - 2 - - America, America, our love of thee - Is free-men's love of Liberty, - The Spirit blest, - Which holds high happiness in store, - When Right shall reign from shore to shore. - From East to West. - - - 3 - - America, America, thy seer-graved seal - Foretells the perfect Commonweal - Of God-made men; - Its eagle with unwearied wings - Is symbol of the thought-seen things - Of prophet's ken. - - - 4 - - America, America, on-pressing van - Of all the hopes of waking man, - We love thy flag!--Thy stately flag of steadfast - stars, - And white, close held to heart-red bars, - Which none shall drag! - - - 5 - - America, America, in thee is found - Manasseh's tribe, to Ephraim bound - By Israel's vow, - Whose destiny is heaven-sealed; - Far spreading vine in fruitful field - God's planting, thou! - - - 6 - - America, America, faith-shadowed land, - Truth dwells in Thee, and Truth shall stand - To guard thy gate. - Thy planted seed of potent good - Shall grow to world-wide brotherhood, - Man's true estate. - - - 7 - - America, America, the God of love - Whose name is ev'ry name above - Is thy defence. - 'Tis thou must lead the longing world - From phantom fears to Love's unfurled - Omnipotence. - -The music was played through and then the Guide began the song again, -expecting the girls to sing, but they were so intensely interested in -watching her deft fingers touch the rims of the bowls that they quite -forgot to sing. As Miss Miller concluded the song the second time, she -looked around and laughed: - -"That was the softest singing I ever thought possible!" - -The girls laughed, too, and Zan said: "Try us again--maybe we can voice -more sound." - -Then the song was played and sung through and Mrs. Baker came in to -listen, saying: "It sounded so sweet that I wanted to hear it at closer -range." - -"I think the idea is charming, but of course there is nothing like the -tomtom for an Indian scalp dance or Hopi Indian song," said Miss Miller. - -She then played several old ballads, the girls humming the chorus of -each as she played it. - -"Girls, let's have Miss Miller play that Morning Prayer that was written -for us by request. We all know the words and with this sweet music it -ought to sound lovely!" exclaimed Zan. - -Then the manuscript sheet of music sent the Band by a friend was -produced and the Guide played it. At the second playing the girls all -sang in low sweet voices and who can say that the genuine desire -expressed in the words of the simple verses was not as acceptable to the -Great Spirit as any scholastic prayer ever uttered by famous -theologians. - -"If Miss Miller will agree, we can practise this glass music at odd -moments during the week and any member excelling in the performance on -Saturday will have a prize--same as May's chest," ventured Jane. "Yes, -unless we have a camp this week-end. If we do we can award the prize -some evening next week," assented Zan. - -"You girls can all try but I have too many other things to do this week. -Besides, I wouldn't bother to work for such nonsensical prizes as the -kind you gave May," said Eleanor, aggravatingly. - -Zan flared up but a look from the Guide calmed her again. - -"By the way, Eleanor, did you ever complete your Woodcraft test of -carpentry?" now asked Miss Miller, meaningly. - -"Why, no--I thought I would leave the Band so I did not bother to waste -my time." - -"Well, as long as you remained with us, I would advise you to finish it -without more delay so we can credit up your Tally." - -Eleanor said nothing but she sulked all evening, and when the girls were -ready to leave, Miss Miller said: "I am walking down your way, Eleanor, -and I will be glad to have company part of the way." - -The girl would much rather not have had the Guide walk home with her for -the memory of her confession at Staten Island Camp was never forgotten -although she had tried to bury it many a time. So she was not in a very -friendly mood when the two were alone and walking down the quiet street. - -"I made this opportunity on purpose, Eleanor, and I trust you will -remember why?" said Miss Miller. - -"I haven't the slightest idea of what you mean, but if you walked this -way just to be with me why should you prevaricate before the whole -crowd?" - -"I hardly think I did that! I always try to speak the truth--in thought -as well as in deed. But in this instance I felt sure you would prefer to -have me word my invitation as I did rather than speak bluntly of my -purpose. I believe in using the 'wisdom of the serpent' when one can be -absolutely true to one's self." - -"Huh! 'And gentleness of the dove,' why don't you add?" sneered Eleanor, -unkindly. - -"I didn't think it necessary to add that with you, as you should be -aware of my gentleness in handling this delicate situation. As long as -you fail to appreciate my good intentions it may be that you will -understand bluntness better." - -Miss Miller waited but Eleanor made no reply, so she added: - -"When do you intend telling May and the others about the theft?" - -"How dare you say that to me!" cried Eleanor, trying to be furiously -insulted. - -"Because I dare to stand for the truth. I have waited many days now, and -offered you many good opportunities to admit your deed, but you seem -farther from doing the right thing than ever. Do you know that the -hiding of any wrong thing is a hindrance in itself to one's progress?" - -"I shall turn in this side street unless you mind your own business!" -flared Eleanor, looking down the uninviting dark road. "You may do that -but you cannot run away from your own self-condemnation and conscience. -And I know from the signs that you have shown, that the trouble is -preying upon your mind and making of you a most petulant, disagreeable -being. Rid yourself of the error and see the uplifting you will feel at -once." - -Whether it was the yearning in Miss Miller's voice or the answer to her -earnest silent prayer for guidance, it matters not, for both were sweet -to the Father's ear, and Eleanor again felt the surging desire to reform -and build up a different character for herself. - -Quite unexpectedly, she turned and threw her arms about the Guide's neck -and wept forth: "Oh, if I could only see the girls this very -minute--here in the dark--I would be so happy to confess." - -"Eleanor, do you really mean that?" asked Miss Miller, her voice -quivering with hope and joy. - -"Um-um, Ooh, ye-e-es! But to-morrow I will be hard again!" - -"No you won't, dear child, for the Spirit will stay with you to soften -the human will! Now let us stop in at the gym and you shall write a -letter to the Band that will answer just the same as if you spoke in the -dark, for you need not see them when they read the words and cry -gratefully over your courage and repentance." - -"Cry--don't you think they will fire me out of the Band?" asked Eleanor, -incredulously. - -"No, my dear, for they know that this from you means a far greater work -of redemption than if a good little girl who never had any erroneous -temptations always smiled and walked obediently in the pathway all -prepared for her feet!" - -"Oh, Miss Miller, you make everything so good and easy for a sinner to -repent!" - -And they stopped at the school-gymnasium for which the teacher carried a -key. And here not only was a note penned, but many an admonition was -given the girl that helped her over dark and rocky places in after life. - -Suffice it to say here, that the letter caused great consternation when -read by the Guide to the girls the next afternoon, but she advised them -wisely and gently, so that Zan's fury and May's resentment soon -disappeared and left in its place the wish to help Eleanor in her -struggle to win out in the battle between her better self and the evil -counterfeit. - -Eleanor failed to appear at any of the meetings that week although she -sent in a piece of carpentry made for her test that elicited the -admiration of the other girls. Also she sent in a Tally Book she made -for her own use, and this, too, caused Elena, the artist, to exclaim, -for it was as pretty as her own--and that was said to be the most -artistic one in the Band. - -The next Thursday evening's meeting was held at Jane's home. Miss Miller -said it would be a good plan to begin regular work on the bead trimmings -as she wished every girl to complete a handsome set of banding for a -ceremonial costume in which to appear at Grand Councils. - -This motion was agreed upon and Elena entered the vote in the Tally -Book, that each girl was to present the results of her bead-loom work a -month from that day. - -Later in the evening the Guide spoke of the many ways Woodcraft girls -had in the city of following pursuits they little dreamed of. - -"For instance: when you are on the streets and the wind is blowing the -dust about, always keep your mouth closed and breathe through the -nostrils. Also keep your toes nearly straight when walking and expand -the chest. In crossing a street, always look both ways, especially in a -crowded thoroughfare, before attempting to cross. Most of the accidents -to pedestrians are caused by people in a hurry, or impatient, and not -obeying the traffic laws. When one is mindful of law one is always -protected and safe. Now I wonder how many of you know the meaning of the -coloured lights on the street lamps, or other places? How many girls are -familiar with the signals of policemen, particularly the traffic squad?" - -Very few of the girls could answer correctly to these vital questions, -and the Guide explained, then continued her talk to them. - -"Besides the city signs and laws every girl should know where the parks, -museums, libraries, and other public buildings are located so anyone -inquiring for them can be directed without loss of time or -confusion--also for our own convenience. - -"In the museums we can study the national costumes and customs of every -nation in the world, from the collections on exhibit of different -periods in history. Any interested person can find in the wonderful free -exhibits, the pictures, statuary, carvings, relics, and many other -things impossible to find elsewhere, a liberal education in itself. - -"Besides these treasures, gathered at great cost of time, life, and -money, for us to enjoy at our leisure, we also have the aquarium at -Battery Park, Zoological Gardens, Horticultural Gardens, and many -interesting streets and structures of old New York that one never thinks -of being in existence. The public lectures given gratis every week to -anyone who will avail themselves of the privilege, the great Community -Chorus founded to train voices in the best music, the singers giving -public concerts for all at different times each year, and numerous other -sources of educational interests where you are invited and welcomed as -warmly as if you paid an exorbitant fee to attend--all these places can -be found by referring to the daily papers. - -"In speaking of the many advantages girls had without using a third of -them, Mrs. Remington mentioned that her Tribe went to the New York Parks -last year and actually found one hundred different kinds of trees, a -hundred wild flowers, sixty kinds of birds flying about, furry -four-footed animals, turtles, snakes, and other things mentioned in the -Manual for _coups_ and grand _coups_." - -"I never thought of that!" declared Zan, thoughtfully. - -"Neither did I. Can't we go, too, Miss Miller, and make up our hundred -for grand _coups_?" asked Jane. - -"Of course we can, and that is why I mentioned it. Even the new members -can find what they need right in Central Park. Then there is the Bronx -and Van Courtlandt Parks should you exhaust the 'happy hunting grounds' -of Central Park," replied the Guide, pleased. - -"Oh girls, can't we go right soon?" exclaimed Anne Mason. - -"Gracious! There seems more to do than one Winter can ever find time -for!" sighed Nita. - -"I know that sigh by this time--Nita thinks we won't bother to dance if -we adventure about the wilds of New York!" laughed Zan. - -"Everything in its own place, you know. We will have as much time for -steps and songs as ever, for the evenings at home can be devoted to -indoor fun, you know," explained the Guide. - -"I'm glad we won't have any extra studies to catch up with this year. -When we had to forge ahead to make room for scholars last year, we -couldn't possibly have had any Woodcraft fun in the evenings," ventured -Hilda, gratefully. - -"And so the completion of the new High School on the other side of the -city is a blessing to you Woodcrafters," said Miss Miller. - -"We ought to have our individual Tally Books all ready for entries if we -go off on trips like the ones you mentioned," suggested May. - -"Yes, and I want you to each have your totems completed so that -important incidents or progress can be depicted on the pole. Besides the -totems and Tallies, each girl must make a good set of rubbing sticks and -the bag and other adjuncts to complete a fire set. We ought to make and -decorate articles of useful furniture, to make a garment, to cook and -preserve, and many other pursuits that can be best done in the Winter -indoors." - -"Miss Miller, I am going to follow Elizabeth Remington's idea. She made -a bead band trimming on which the story of a Summer in camp was -pictured. I shall do the same, and in symbolic pictures tell the story -of our camp on the farm," said Zan. - -"Oh Zan, that will be fine! Call it the costume of the 'Woodcraft Girls -at Camp,'" said Jane. - -"Do you mind if we girls make one that way?" asked Elena. - -"Of course not! It isn't likely that any of you will work out the same -idea in beads as I will," replied Zan. - -"I think the plan is good and the ceremonial dresses ought to look -beautiful," approved Miss Miller. - -Thus an incentive for beading and sewing was offered the original -members of Wickeecheokee Band. But the new members thought they could -design Indian figures and symbols that would be pretty and answer the -present need for trimming, and when they had had practise and -experiences to picture they could add to their bead-work. - -That evening the girls learned that Woodcraft was not so much a matter -of camps and meetings as of individual study and growth--and application -of the highest and best that one was possible of doing. - -"O Chief! Will you try and see Eleanor to-morrow and tell her of our -plans for the Winter? Possibly the very fact of your seeking her to -mention this meeting as an item of Tribe business will assure her that -we all wish her to do her share in the undertaking," said Miss Miller, -as the meeting adjourned. - -Zan sought out the wayward member although she disliked an errand like -this one. She reported the different plans the Guide outlined for the -girls and then told Eleanor to "get busy" on her bead trimming for a -leather costume. - -"Dear me, it is nothing but work, work, work, in your Lodge. Now I heard -from a girl who is a Woodcrafter in Plainfield, and _she_ says they have -the jolliest times! They go to entertainments, have candy pulls, -parties, and almost every week they all go to some place of amusement -together. _You_ never do that!" complained Eleanor. - -"If that girl tells the truth and is a real Woodcrafter she combines -pleasure with advancement. Maybe she considers a hike or a Council a -party, and you misunderstood her. She may think she 'is having the best -of times' going to a lecture which you misconstrue as a place of -amusement. Anyway, it doesn't matter what some folks think or do, Wako -Tribe has a pattern of its own and it cuts its cloth accordingly," -replied Zan, not too humbly, for she felt impatient at the reception -given her message from Miss Miller. - -Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and Zan left her without another word, -both feeling the occasion had been given for a better understanding but -the result of it was a failure. - -After the meeting at which the girls realised the many free resorts -where Woodcraft _coups_ could be won, they took new interest in -home-work as well. Zan completed a set of rustic furniture made of the -timber from the farm, and this set of table, two chairs, and two stools -was decorated with Indian emblems. - -"Dad, isn't this a peachy set?" asked she when it was finished and -standing on the wide rear porch for exhibition. - -"It certainly is, Daughter. Now the question is, where shall we keep it -until next Spring when we can ship it to the farm?" answered the doctor. - -"Keep it? Why, in the parlour, of course!" declared Zan, frowning at the -implied meaning in her father's question. - -"And sell the junk mother has there to a second hand dealer! Of course! -how could I have been so stupid as to think otherwise," replied Dr. -Baker meekly. Zan studied his face but his expression was inscrutable. - -"We-el-1--I s'pose I _might_ keep it in the library!" ventured she, as -she pictured her mother's -solid-mahogany-frames-upholstered-silk-velour-furniture thrown on a -scrap wagon. - -"Maybe--I am only suggesting, of course--maybe we could ship it to the -farm this Fall and store there until next Summer," said the doctor. - -"But I expect to use it all the time, Dad. Right this week I shall sit -on the chair and use the table," cried Zan. - -"Then let us leave it just where it is for the time being as you need -all the fresh air you can get during the fine Indian Summer weather. -When the snow blows we can freight it to Wickeecheokee." - -Everyone Zan knew was brought to the house to admire the rustic -furniture, but after a week of exhibiting she grew weary of repeating -verbally the methods of manufacturing the set, and then she settled down -to use it when at work on the bead-loom. - -The table and a chair were carried to the birches still green, growing -in one corner of the grass-plat, and here Zan wove the banding, her -nimble fingers flying in and out, back and forth, as the bead trimming -began to take on unique and pretty pictures of camp-life. - -Now and then some of the other girls would join Zan and work on the -looms, and at these visits tongues would talk of the many plans for -Tribe activities that Winter. - -"Do you see any improvement in Eleanor?" asked Jane, one day. - -"Funny that you should ask me that. I asked Miss Miller the same thing -this morning," replied Zan. - -"What did she say?" from Jane. - -"She thought the change wrought for the better was more mental and -spiritual than in material expression, but the results were bound to be -apparent to everyone in time." - -"Guess it will be a long time, then!" retorted Jane. - -"Miss Miller says we mustn't feel that way about it. That we are killing -the frail child of a weak but higher aspiration. If we train our -thoughts to consider the motives and yearnings for a more harmonious -life that the girl _must_ have, we will not condemn and criticise her -acts. It is the _human_ judgment of _things_ that makes obstacles in the -road of one's advancement, she told me." - -"Dear me, I wish I was as good and wise as Miss Miller," sighed Jane, -gazing skyward. - -"Say, you're not the only one holding a mortgage on that wish! Every -blessed girl of Wako Tribe tries to copy the model Guide," said Zan, -smilingly, as she remembered Fiji's words: "If you knew as much as your -Guide, what a wonderful sister you would be." - -Miss Miller had reports to make out that week-end so there was no hope -of camping, but the girls felt they had so much to do in the city that -the outing would not be missed. A plan was made for the following week, -however, to camp on the Palisades. The Guide invited the girls to meet -her for a short time in the gymnasium that Friday, to decide upon a -location for the camp. - -Miss Miller was not in the room when the girls gathered together, but -she came in shortly afterward. Her face beamed with pleasant news and -Zan immediately said: - -"We know from your expression that you know something good!" - -"Yes, I do, and the letter just came on the last mail. I just received -the pass for our Band admitting us to the lectures and cinematograph -pictures given at the National Museum of History in New York. They start -next week and the course, which is on Indian Crafts and Folk Lore -beginning with the Zuni Indians, will be of great interest and help to -us. I want every one of you girls to try and attend these lectures with -me, so better ask permission from your parents." - -"Oh, that _is_ good news!" cried Elena. - -"We sure are indebted to you, Miss Miller, for all the trouble you take -for our enjoyment," added Zan. - -The other girls expressed their gratitude, too, and then the talk -centered on the expectations of what these lectures would bring forth. -Miss Miller saw the condition that often exists when folks are given -something to look forward to in the near future--their thoughts fill -with outlines and ideas of that which is to be, instead of living and -making the best of that which is offered at the immediate present. The -wise Guide knew that this form of mental picturing and outlining of -things, still misty and indistinct to the individual, was an undesirable -state of imagination so she quickly changed the current of their -thoughts by saying: - -"Girls, I have an odd Indian legend founded on the constellation of -'Charles Wain.' Want to hear it?" - -Naturally every girl cried for the story and they sat down in a circle -to listen. - - - - -CHAPTER ELEVEN--CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS - - -"This myth comes from the Tlingit Indians of Alaska and is named 'The -Wain House People,'" began Miss Miller. - -"Certain Indians came to a fort to live, and after a time began killing -bears, ground-hogs, porcupines, mountain sheep, and other animals for -food. After they had killed them, they cut off the heads and set them up -on sticks about the village, then the people sang to these objects. - -"Now there was a young man among them who was to be Chief. When he was -born he had been placed in a sheep's skin instead of cradle. As he grew -older he was able to follow the mountain sheep to places on the cliffs -where no one else could go, hence he killed more sheep than anyone else. - -"After he had cut off and mounted the heads of his sheep he, too, would -sing and dance about them, saying tauntingly: 'I wish I was a sheep! I -wish my head was cut off too!' - -"Meantime, the mountain sheep were becoming angry at losing so many of -their flocks and one day, when the villagers went up for a great hunt, -they met a flock of sheep that led them up the steep mountain-side to a -place where they appeared to be herding together. - -"But once near the sheep, the people were surprised to see them race -still higher up the side of the steep rocks. The young hunter who wished -to be a great chief ran after them and became separated from his -companions. When on the very top of the peak he was met by a fine -looking young man who shone like the sun and had a long white beard like -the mountain ancients. This stranger turned to the youth who had been -cradled in a sheep's skin and invited him to his home. He led the way -inside of the mountain where everything looked weird and strange. Great -heaps of horns were piled everywhere, and the stranger said: 'These are -the horns I am keeping to fit to the heads of the villagers.' - -"When the young man's friends missed him they sought day and night -without success, then they went home to plan how to rescue him. For many -days the search was resumed until finally they discovered his horn-spear -stuck in the ground near the top of the peak. But no other clue could -they find although they kept up a search for many days. - -"Then the villagers declared that he was lost to them and they wailed -and beat the drums for the hunter who came not back. - -"Now the shining stranger tried to fit a pair of horns on the young -hunter's head. They were heated and, when taken from the terrific fire -that burned continually in the pit of the mountain, they were put upon -and held to his head so that the poor hunter thought the insides of his -head would be burnt out. - -"During this trial, a few of the hunter's friends still sought for him -whenever they hunted on the mountain-side, and after a year's time, a -young man climbed up the peak after a flock of mountain sheep, and there -he heard someone shout to him. He knew it was the friend who had been -lost. He shouted back, but the lost friend began singing and saying: 'I -must go now, the shining stranger comes and will find me.' - -"The young man ran back to the village and told everyone what he had -heard. They were surprised to hear that a stranger lived on top of the -mountain, but one old villager said: 'It must be the -Man-of-the-Sun-shining-on-the-Mountain-Peaks.' - -"So they set out to capture all the sheep that lived on that mountain, -knowing that the Man-of-the-Sun would try to prevent his sheep from -being killed. Then they would bargain for the life of their friend in -exchange for the sheep. - -"Now the sheep that lived on the very peak of the mountain could see -down into the valleys when the villagers went out to hunt. And they said -to the young man: 'Your people come again to kill all the sheep. Tell -them, therefore, that if they will throw away their weapons we will let -you go, but if they persist in killing our flocks we will also kill -you.' - -"The young captive then went out on the very edge of the cliff and -called down to his people: 'The sheep say they will send me back if you -will give up the chase of their flocks. Now you must hear them or I -shall be thrown into the pit of fire.' - -"But the young hunter who heard the voice called back: 'We must have -food. What shall we do without sheep?' - -"Then an old ram came up to the captive and said: 'Tell them if they -must have us for food, they can at least hang up our sheep-skins on the -poles which hold our heads. If the heads and skins are faced toward the -rising sun our Chief will bring us all safely home again for another -time. If you stick eagles' feathers on our skins we can fly from your -village without trouble. You should mount the heads of grizzly bears on -poles and face them toward the night. For they are wicked animals.' - -"So the captive repeated the words of the ram and when he had finished -speaking he was hurried back inside the mountain for fear his friends -would shoot at and kill the sheep waiting on the peak. - -"And the people did try to kill the sheep and recover their friend, and -so many of the flock were killed and carried away that the -Man-of-the-Shining-Sun came out and spoke. - -"'This is the last time the mountain sheep will talk with you. If your -people will not do as we say, then I will kill you. But if they will -listen to you and will not make war on the sheep till Fall, when we -always go down from the peaks to graze in the timber lands below the -glacier, then they can come with their dogs and save you.' - -"In the Autumn, therefore, the people prepared to make a great hunt and -kill sheep for Winter food. The sheep were already in the timber lands -below the glacier and when the villagers came up the side of the -mountain the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun sent the captive down the steep -cliff to meet his friends. As he stood there with horns on his head and -a sheep-skin covering his body, the dogs thought he was a sheep and -charged upon him. But they soon recognised a friend and ran back to bark -for the hunters. - -"When the villagers heard the story they promised they would not kill -any sheep that year, but hunt for grizzlies and deer for food. They -broke their spears and other weapons and threw them over the side of the -cliff, and as they did so the horns fell off and the sheep-skin -disappeared from the young man's form. And he stood forth strong and -courageous as ever; his people found he smelled like the things that -grow up on top of the mountains where the wind and sky and earth are -pure and sweet. - -"The people were happy and escorted him to the village. The moment he -saw the sheep-skins lying about he said: 'Dampen these and hang them up -on poles with feathers stuck to them. Place them facing the rising sun -as I promised the ram we would do.' - -"When the skins were ready to mount the young man painted each face red -and stuck eagles' down on the backs. As he hung each skin facing the sun -he said: 'You are in just the position your Chief ordered, now fly -away.' - -"Early the next morning the fort shook as with a mighty earth-quake and -every piece of flesh that had been eaten from the sheep-skins was -replaced by new flesh, and as the young chief opened the door of his -wigwam the sheep-skins, now plumped out and alive again, ran away -towards the mountain. - -"But, strange to say, the sheep-skins had been so long with the people -that many of them had beards when their skins filled out again. And many -of the sheep forgot their mountain habits and wandered about at the foot -of the cliffs, so that they became tame and lived with men ever after. - -"After the sheep were sent back to the mountains, the -Man-of-the-Shining-Sun on the Mountain Peak sent a good spirit to the -young chief who had obeyed and kept his promise. The spirit would be his -strength so that he could do anything he wanted done. - -"At the gift presented to their young chief the people rejoiced greatly, -and made him a pair of snowshoes, a shaman's mask, and many bows and -arrows. Then the chief ordered the people to come to him. They were then -at Fort-by-a-small-lake, which was west of Juneau City, and there they -built a big house for the chief with a good spirit. On the door-posts of -this house they carved the signs of the Great Dipper. Then the shaman -fasted four days and four nights and when the constellation appeared and -blessed the people, those people were called Wain House People and have -been so called ever since." - -"There isn't much hidden truth in that legend," said Zan, who felt -disappointed with the story. - -"I liked it, all right," said Elena. - -"It's a queer tale--some of those Indian stories are so impossible as to -be ridiculous," commented Hilda. - -"In our translations perhaps, but we must remember that many words in -the Eskimo are impossible to translate properly and still retain beauty -and sense. But the story goes to show that at a remote age the Alaskan -Indians knew and named the 'Wain,' even as the present age does." - -The week-end determined upon for a camp on the Hudson proved to be -perfect October weather, and great was the buzzing about the gymnasium -as the girls packed their outfits and waited for the three autos to -carry them to the nearest place for the Alpine camp. - -Miss Miller had heard much about the wild grandeur and beauty of Alpine -in the Autumn, and she had pictured a beautiful place of Nature. But she -was disappointed when the cars stopped on the Fort Lee road and Jim -said: - -"This is as far as we can safely go." - -The girls were compelled, therefore, to carry their outfits across the -stubbly fields to reach the woods that fringed the river cliffs. The -chauffeurs gave all the assistance they could, and when the woods were -reached they left to return home, while the campers struggled on to find -a suitable site. - -The entire area along the Palisades had been purchased as city property -and was being ploughed over; diseased timber was cut down, and down -timber chopped up ready to remove, when the Tribe first caught a glimpse -of the place. Wherever a clearing had been, was now used for piling up -refuse, stones, and brushwood. The day was unusually warm for the season -and the heavy packs which had to be carried to camp did not help anyone -to feel more cheerful. - -"Oh, this is awful! I wish I had never come!" complained Eleanor, -stopping every other moment to gasp and rest. - -"It isn't very alluring, I must admit," said Miss Miller, as -disappointed as the others. - -"Great Caesar's ghost! _What_ are they going to do with this upside-down -area!" finally cried Nita, as she caught her toe in some half-buried -trash and fell head-long into a rut newly ploughed that week. - -"It's in the throes of being transformed into a Park!" laughed Zan. - -"Oh no!" called Jane, "this is the evolution of a dancing floor for -Nita." - -After many stumblings and grumblings, the Tribe reached the cool shadows -of the woodland where they found a plain trail running along the crest -of the river bank. Zan led the way and after they had gone some distance -through the dense woods she came to a natural clearing that projected -far over on the cliff. She went out there and instantly dropped her -pack. - -"Oh! Come here and see the wonderful view!" shouted she. - -Everyone dropped the tiresome luggage and gladly ran out to join Zan. - -"Ah! This repays us for all the toil and hardships endured," exclaimed -Miss Miller, with clasped hands, admiring the view. - -From the point where they stood, hundreds of feet above the majestic -Hudson, they could see up and down the river for miles. The city of -Yonkers was opposite, and the river-craft plying the Hudson provided -interesting scenes to the girls. The gorgeous colouring of foliage on -both sides of the river clothed the hills and cliffs with beautiful -tones made by Nature's paint-brush. The air was sweet and warm, and -crickets, some late birds, and insects added their voices to the general -music of the Falling Leaf Moon. - -"I wish we could camp near here," ventured Jane. - -"I thought I heard running water before you joined me. Maybe we can find -a brook or spring," suggested Zan. - -"I heard there was a beautiful bit of water here called Alpine Falls. If -we could only find it!" said Miss Miller. - -"Let's separate and scout for it. Leave the baggage here for the time," -responded Zan. - -But they had not far to search, for Zan _had_ heard falling water, part -way down the steep Palisades, falling from a great height on a rocky -peak to a glen beneath. The stream that fed the falls had worn a narrow -but deep gully on top of the cliffs, and Miss Miller was the one to -discover it as she sought for a good camp-site. A rustic bridge spanned -the ravine and a path led a circuitous way down to the ledge where the -Falls formed a foamy pool before running over its rocky basin to tumble -recklessly on down to join the river. - -Miss Miller wished to assure herself that it would be a safe spot for so -many girls to camp, so she followed the path to the ledge and there saw -a rustic sign nailed to a tree, "Alpine Falls--no camping allowed on -this ledge." - -She climbed back again and called to the Tribe to join her. They were -delighted with the place, and when Miss Miller told them of the sign -they agreed to camp at the clearing on the point and use the Falls for -cooking and wash water. - -"I hope to goodness no one here is a sleep-walker," laughed Zan, waving -a hand in the direction of the precipice. - -"No one here guilty of that habit!" replied Miss Miller. - -So camp was pitched and preparations for supper well under way before -Jane said: "We forgot to think of a swim." - -"Too late! Besides, we'll have to crawl down this wall and see if there -is any sort of a place where we can get in," answered Zan. - -That evening they enjoyed riddles, charades, and Nita danced a wild -flower dance she had invented. Miss Miller told them of some of her -interesting experiences while travelling in Egypt and the Old World, and -then to bed. - -Early in the morning, Zan turned over in her tiny cot and yawned. Awake -in an instant, she sat up and sniffed. - -"Who's baking breakfast gems? They smell fine!" - -She jumped up and peeped from the flap of the tent. At a good camp-fire -she saw the funniest baker she ever thought possible to utilise. But no -one was about, so she crept out in her pajamas and grass slippers to -investigate. - -On a smooth stick safely driven into the ground near enough to the -camp-fire to warrant a steady heat reaching it, was twisted a long flat -strip of dough. It began to wind about the stick from the bottom and -ended near the top. As it baked and browned on the side nearest the -fire, a delightful aroma came from it and permeated the air. - -"Well, I never! If this isn't the most ingenious device!" murmured Zan, -chuckling to herself. - -"Watching my bread-twist, Zan?" called a voice, and Zan looked over to -see the Guide coming from the Falls where she had had a cold bath. - -"Yes, but I was wondering how to give the offside a chance to brown?" -replied Zan. - -"I'll show you--simple as anything." And Miss Miller merely took hold of -the top-end of the stick and gave it a sharp turn. Naturally the bread -turned with it, and the side that was brown was now facing away from the -fire while the other side was turned toward it to bake and brown. - -Zan laughed and nodded her head approvingly, then glanced at the other -breakfast food cooking. Cereal was boiling in a pot hanging over the -fire where the bread was baking, and apples were stewing in a saucepan. - -"Did we bring apples yesterday?" asked she. - -"No, but I found a little old tree down the trail and most of these were -picked up from the ground. Don't they smell good?" - -"Um-m! Should say they did. But tell me, Miss Miller--did you stay up -all night to work like this?" - -"Hardly! I got up an hour ago and mixed the bread dough, then started -the fire. After that I wanted to see what kind of a country was back -there, and I found the apples. When they were stewing and the cereal on -boiling, I went for my morning wash." - -"I'll run in and wash and dress, then I'll be back to help," said Zan, -starting off for the tent. - -Hilda was already up and dressing when Zan ran in, and both girls -chattered so noisily about the bread-twist that the others awoke and -jumped out of bed. - -When Zan and Hilda returned to the camp-fire the Guide asked Hilda to -broil the ham while Zan spread the breakfast cloth. - -"What can I do?" asked Jane, coming over. - -"You can get a pail of fresh water from the Falls and fill the cups at -each plate," returned the Guide. - -That breakfast was appreciated thoroughly by everyone, for the bread was -hot and crisp and the ham fried as brown as any ever served by Southern -cook. - -"After we finish breakfast and have cleared away the dishes, we must -explore the immediate neighbourhood to find out if we are on a main -trail where visitors are liable to come and interrupt our peace," said -Miss Miller. - -The camp chores done, the Tribe started for a hike, intending to circle -their camp-site and look for possible intruders. They had followed the -trail but a short distance before Miss Miller spied some fine white -birches. Some of these had been cut down as being in the way for the -proposed roadways of the park. The Guide immediately found a use for the -large sheets of bark that were peeling from the trunks. - -"Girls, we will postpone our scouting for a time when there is no -important work at hand, but now do let us collect as much of this -splendid birch bark while it is offered us without damaging standing -trees." - -The Guide then showed the eager Woodcrafters how to peel the bark to -keep it in large sections and not split it into strips. When everyone -was laden with as much bark as could possibly be carried, they started -for camp and deposited their freight on the ground. - -"You need not waste a bit of this bark--even this bit will make the -outside of a dainty pen-wiper. It can be cut oblong and decorated with -gold-paint. With leaves of felt or flannel between the two sections, and -these tied together with a cord or ribbon, it makes a pretty memento." - -"I suppose Miss Miller will find endless ways to use this tinder, just -as she did for the sea-shore pebbles and shells," remarked May, -laughingly. - -"I can think of enough ideas right now to keep you girls busy until -Christmas," rejoined the Guide, also laughingly. - -"For instance?" questioned Zan, curious to hear the items. - -"Well, you can make needle-cases, pin-cushions, boxes for neckties for -the boys, boxes for handkerchiefs for parents, picture frames, veneering -for rustic furniture, Tally Book covers, camp utensils--such as dishes, -pots, pans, and platters, toilet sets, and many other things." - -"That's right! I never thought of using birch bark for such things," -declared Elena. - -"Make a record of it in the Tally!" teased Zan, for Elena was acquiring -the habit of entering everything in that book. - -"If we should find any sweet grass on our walks while here, we must be -sure and gather it, as it is what is needed to sew up the seams of birch -bark. If the grass is wound about with red linen thread it makes it much -stronger and looks pretty, too. The bark must be punched with a row of -holes so the grass-binding can pass through without tearing. I think we -have a punch at home such as children use in a kindergarten school." - -"Miss Miller, do you know of other articles to make out of wild-wood -things?" asked May, with awe at the Guide's knowledge. - -"Well, I think pine cones make the oddest and prettiest things. The -small cones combined with birch bark are lovely. I have made frames by -glueing cones in patterns on thin bark-covered wooden frames. I have a -large picture of George Washington at home that I framed in this way -years ago. Then, too, I will show you a work-box that I made for my -mother. It was made of a cigar-box and covered with bark. On top of the -lid, and about the sides, I glued different kinds of cones and stems. -Then I varnished the whole thing and it was beautiful, in my estimation. -It has lasted to this day, and I made it over five years ago." - -"I waxed some Autumn leaves last year and we used them over the windows -and doors until Christmas time. Everyone said they looked _so_ pretty," -said Elena. - -"Why can't we gather some of these beautiful leaves and do the same -thing with them, Miss Miller?" asked Jane, eagerly. - -"We must wax them with sperm and iron them as soon as they are cut from -the branches. You see, the colours remain exactly the same as when they -were gathered if you wax them before they have time to dry. Whole -branches can be waxed this way and used for decorative purposes. -Florists to-day use great masses of waxed Autumn leaves in their -exhibits, or for back-grounds through the Winter months. But care must -be taken when ironing the spermaceti over the leaves that the hot iron -does not touch the stem or wood of the branch. If it does, the leaf will -immediately fall off." - -So much time had been taken by the collecting and descriptions of -articles made of birch bark, that it was noon before anyone dreamed it -was more than ten o'clock. - -"Girls, we ought to find a place for a swim and then have lunch. After -that we will seek for a neighbour--if there are any on this crest," said -Miss Miller. - -But the girls could find no way to get down the steep cliff-side unless -they went a long way back. So they gave up the hope of a swim that day -and started off to seek for adventure. - -They had gone about a mile in a new direction when one of the girls -glimpsed a fine old mansion painted so nearly like the green and russet -colouring of the woods that it was difficult to distinguish it from its -beautiful setting. - -"No wonder we didn't see it before," remarked Zan, gazing at its dark -brown shingled sides and green roof. - -"It doesn't seem occupied. Maybe the people do not live here," suggested -Elena. - -"There's a rustic fence with a gate. I can see a notice hanging on the -gate--let's see what it says," called Jane, who was in advance of the -others. - -In a few moments the Band stood reading the sign. "No trespassing on -these grounds under penalty of the law." - -"We're not on their land yet, but it's a shame to have a fence cut off -an adventure right in the middle of a trail!" pouted Nita. - -"It may prove a far more thrilling adventure to sit here and try to -explain the reason for closed shutters and an abandoned house at this -time of year," ventured Miss Miller. - -Even as she spoke, a gardener came forward along a side path, and doffed -his cap. - -"I heared your voices an' I sure was s'prised to find a lot of -school-girls. You--all seldom come as far as this. The -'Annabell'--that's the launch runnin' from Yonkers to Alpine and back -agin--generally leaves 'em at the foot of the cliff where they picnic." - -"We saw the sign and wondered if we were trespassing out here?" replied -Miss Miller, in a questioning voice. - -"Not at all! In fack, it would be all right for ladies to walk through -the groun's when no one's home. The family's gone for the season now. We -have to keep the sign up, just the same, to keep out the roughs from the -city who would destroy the trees and flowers fer nothin'. Would you like -to come in?" asked the old man, politely. - -"I think not, thank you. We are camping down on the point by the Falls, -and this was an afternoon hike. Now we will go back and hunt for a spot -where we can bathe," explained the Guide. "I kin help you there. I -haven't gone down to take up the two boats yet, or remove the portable -bath-house we have on the beach, an' you'se are welcome to use both -boats and house if it will accommodate you." - -"Oh how lovely!" cried the girls, before Miss Miller could decide what -would be the proper thing to do. So she smiled and thanked the generous -stranger. - -"I'll jes' run and git the keys to unlock the padlocks and bring you'se -the oars." So saying, the old man hurried to the barn back of the -mansion. - -"Now isn't this a real adventure?" laughed Miss Miller. - -"And we wouldn't have had it if there wasn't a house and a care-taker -here to obstruct the trail!" added Zan. - -It didn't take the Woodcrafters very long to run back to camp and find -their bathing togs, then on down the steep path that seemed to drop -sheer from the heights to the river-beach. - -The two boats added greatly to the fun of the water-sports. As every -girl could swim a little, and the water was shallow near the shore, -there was no danger in toppling out of the boat. - -There were some glorious battles of "tag" played with a bag of old cork -found on the beach. One girl would throw the bag and, if it landed in -the other boat, that side was "it" and was supposed to chase the -opponent and try to fling the cork into their boat. - -When they began to weary of this game, the Guide announced a swimming -contest. Then followed a diving contest. Lastly a prize was offered to -the girl who could swim under water and bring up from the river bottom -the white flour-bag filled with sand which Miss Miller had prepared and -was ready to drop from a boat into the clear depths of the river. - -The spot designated was about ten feet deep and about ten yards from -shore, but only a few girls could swim under water and it transpired -that only Elizabeth Remington could swim with her eyes open. Naturally -she was the one to bring up the trophy. - -"No wonder we couldn't do it when we never tried to keep our eyes open -under water--it hurts!" grumbled Zan, who disliked to be outdone by -another girl. - -Miss Miller silently exulted in the success of her little plan, for she -knew Elizabeth could accomplish the deed and wanted the other girls to -see her do it, thus imbuing them with the desire to try also. - -"Maybe it hurts at first, but I'm going to get that bag!" declared Jane, -plunging in and trying to open her eyes while swimming under the water. - -Others dared the test also, and soon all were sputtering or laughing at -their trials and failures. Finally, however, each one could brag of -being able to keep eyes open if but for a few seconds while swimming -under water. - -As they climbed the cliff again, Miss Miller said: "I think it is as -important to know how to swim under water with your eyes open to see -what you are meeting, as it is to keep your eyes open when crossing a -thoroughfare." - -"Ha! Discovered in the act!" laughed Zan, pointing an accusing finger at -the Guide. - -Miss Miller laughed also and nodded. - -"What?" questioned May. - -"She did that stunt on purpose to make us keen to learn the trick," -hastily explained Jane, who saw the nod and guessed rightly. - -That evening while sitting about the camp-fire Miss Miller suggested a -Hallow E'en treat for Zan's birthday. She spoke of many ways -Woodcrafters could celebrate, providing the weather was fair for a -weekend camp in the woods. - -Then Elena made a suggestion. "I am going to design and make a Woodcraft -article to give our Chief for a birthday gift." - -"I think that's great! I'll do one, too," added Jane. - -"So will I," echoed Hilda. - -"Let's all make something in Woodcraft for the party," said Nita. - -"Girls, why not exchange gifts with each other and make them ourselves -in Woodcraft style? We need not limit the giving to Zan, you know," -suggested the Guide. - -"Gracious me! It will take a pile of presents and ages to finish them -all," exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur; "I can't do it." - -"I had no idea of elaborate gifts. For instance, Nita can dance a new -step on the evening of the party, and teach it to Zan for a present. -That will not take her long nor be much work," explained Miss Miller. - -"Oh, that won't be a gift!" laughed Nita. - -"Why not? Won't it be the expression of your desire to give pleasure to -another? And won't Zan remember your love and generosity that really -constitutes _true_ giving? It is a mistake to look at the material -object as the gift, and forget the loving spirit that formed the thought -which expressed itself in the thing. The material gift is destructible, -but the love of a friend remains forever the true gift." - -"According to Miss Miller, then, we will be silly to waste time on -producing material objects when we can easily wish our love on anyone," -retorted Eleanor, in an unpleasant tone. - -"Eleanor, when we reach that state of perfect brotherhood of which Jesus -spoke as Heaven, we shall exchange love and goodness without the -material accompaniment, but while still on earth our limited vision and -other senses require the expression in kind as we are, to be able to -realise the love and desire to make others happy. That is why we are -compelled to plan and work before our friends know the state of our -feelings. For instance, your words spoken in tones and expression of -human resentment show me quite plainly that your thought is wrong--that -you rebel in mind against doing what was proposed by the love of the -other girls. But I may not have realised this state of your thought had -you not expressed it--see what I mean?" said Miss Miller, meaningly. - -Eleanor flushed but said nothing. And Zan quickly said: "Say, girls, we -can all win _coups_ that will count if we make some Woodcraft things -mentioned in the Manual!" - -"So we can! And each can choose what she likes," abetted Jane. - - - - -CHAPTER TWELVE--A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E'EN - - -In the days following the camp-talk, the girls saw little of each other -after school, as they were busy working on the gifts to be distributed -at the Hallow E'en camp. - -Zan had spoken of a pattern Nita had for a dancing costume, so Nita made -the dress of cotton crepe, costing very little in coin of the realm but -much in thought and work. She disliked sewing and the very fact that she -spent so much time to have the costume neatly finished spoke highly for -her progress in character as well as of her way of expressing -friendship. - -For the other girls, Nita wrote out simple directions to dance -improvised steps of old dances. She also printed simple music fitted to -go with the unique steps. - -For Miss Miller, she made an artistic programme for the Gift Ceremony -which was explained to her by Mrs. Remington. This was to be used on the -occasion of the birthday evening. - -Hilda naturally followed the line of least resistance in selecting her -gifts. She made candy, baked a cake, wrote out a tiny Tally Book of -recipes for the Guide, and having packed the candies in empty boxes she -always saved for the purpose, she did each package up in yellow crepe -paper and tied it with black cord; on the knot tied on top of the boxes -she fastened a black cardboard bat or a witch with a broom-stick. - -Elena, adept with the brush, made individual Tally Books of brown -butcher paper and bound them in leather with thong strips to fasten them -together. She had secured the small remnants of tanned leather at a -wholesale leather house in the factory-district of the city. The Tallies -were decorated with the name of the individual artistically printed in -India ink, and the scroll decorations were so wrought that black cats, -witches, pumpkins, broom-sticks, bats, and other suggestive things of -Hallow E'en were featured as a remembrance of the party. - -Jane made a dozen narrow beaded head-bands which showed in the designs -the meaning of Hallow E'en. They were very beautiful and were sure to be -appreciated by the girls. Besides those for each member of the Band she -made one for Elizabeth Remington, who was invited to the party, and one -for Miss Miller. - -Zan made the unique decorations for the party. Each was wrapped in paper -and the name of the girl printed in plain view. These gifts were -original and diversified in style. - -She took empty cereal boxes--square ones as well as the round cartons -used by Quaker Oats--and cut designs in the sides, having sketched the -pattern on the cardboard before cutting away. A metal clip as is -generally used on Christmas trees to hold the candles was inserted in -the bottom of the box and fastened to hold a candle when necessary. -Picture wire was fastened at the top to suspend the box. When this was -finished, she blackened the entire box with cheap shoe-polish to -represent wrought iron. - -Zan also found two Edam cheese cases about to be thrown away and these -she captured for use. The contents had all been scraped out, so she cut -a hole in the bottom of the rind for a candle socket, then cut grotesque -mouth, nose, and eyes in the sides. Wire was used at the top to hang -them by and when finished they looked very funny. These Zan meant for -Miss Miller as a joke. - -Her next idea was to collect a number of empty tin cans and melt off the -jagged rims left when the covers had been cut out. A few perforations -were made in the bottoms for drainage, and the sides painted an ivory -white with black stencilled designs on them. Some of these were Egyptian -figures copied from ancient friezes shown in a book. When these cans -were filled with soil and a plant inserted, the effect was very artistic -and at little expense. - -May Randall, who had won the prize for carpentry, made small boxes with -leather hinges and brass-studded corners. She burnt designs on covers -and sides and touched up points here and there with red or blue paint, -then varnished the whole surfaces. These were meant for wampum, badges, -or other Woodcraft trinkets. - -Another new member selected pottery for her gifts. She made original -designs and when these were finished and touched up with black paint and -bright colours they were very artistic. - -Another girl made fire-boards. She used the oval bread-boards sold for -five cents each in the five and ten cent stores. The ovals were sawed in -the centre, giving two sections for each. Four half-ovals were hinged to -a square board so they would fold down when not in use. The rounded -sides were then decorated with symbols of the Winds and Fire. When -varnished and completed, they proved very fine and useful. - -Frances used the birch bark she had saved from the Alpine camp. Trays, -jewel-boxes, waste-baskets, picture frames, work-boxes, and other ideas -were carried out. The birch bark was soaked in hot water until soft, -then shaped as desired. The lacing of edges was made of raffia also -softened in water. Where strong lacing was necessary several strands of -raffia or grass were braided together and used. The sides of the -ornaments made were decorated in sepia paint, representing forest scenes -or Woodcraft designs. - -Other unique and lovely ideas were expressed individually by each girl, -so that not only was a great variety of gifts ready for the event, but -the manufacturers had had experience in handicraft and were able to -count the work for _coups_ in Woodcraft. - -The time had passed rapidly while everyone was at work on pleasant and -absorbing occupation, and the last Wednesday preceding the Friday they -expected to start for the Hallow E'en camp had arrived. That noon, Miss -Miller sent word to each girl that an important letter would be -considered at a special meeting in the gymnasium directly after school -in the afternoon. - -At such a time no one dreamed of being late or absent, so Miss Miller -was able to read the letter she had received a short time after classes -were dismissed. - - ---- - - "Respected Members of Wako Tribe: I have watched with deep - interest the manufacturing, by your Chief, of certain objects - meant to celebrate a Hallow E'en party. I also heard that no - particular place had yet been determined upon for this important - camp-meeting, so I hasten to solve the problem for you. - - "My family and a few friends expect to visit Wickeecheokee Farm - this week-end and enjoy a nutting party in the woods. If Wako - Tribe will accept our invitation, they can camp on the Bluff for - this week-end and join us in our out-door fun. Mrs. Baker and - the other guests will occupy the house, so you will not be - disturbed in your Woodcraft meetings if you desire privacy. - - "The autos will leave our house at four o'clock Friday - afternoon. Please reply at once. - - "Cordially yours, - - "Frederick Baker, M.D." - -Long before Miss Miller concluded reading this communication subdued -sounds of joy and excitement were heard from the girls, and the moment -it was finished Jane cried: - -"Did you know anything of this, Zan?" - -"Cross my heart--not a thing!" declared Zan, earnestly. - -"Did you know, Miss Miller?" questioned several girls, turning to the -Guide. - -"Not until Monday, when I was asked over the 'phone what I thought of -the plan, and I said it was splendid." - -"I s'pose we will accept, eh?" asked Anne Mason, anxiously. - -"Accept! Well I guess yes!" retorted Jane. - -"Chump Mark for Jenny!" laughed Elena. - -"Humph! Slang is imperative under such exciting conditions!" replied -Zan, glancing sympathetically at Jane. - -"Never mind that talk--wasting good time--hurry up and compose an answer -to the doctor's letter!" cried Hilda. - -"I'll take it home and hand it to Dad to save time," added Zan. - -"I suppose Elizabeth will go with us--shall I telephone Mrs. Remington -and find out?" asked the Guide. - -"If Fiji and Bob and Jack Hubert are going--as I s'pose they are--we -ought to invite Fred and Billy Remington, too," suggested Zan. - -"I think your mother has already attended to that. We will find out," -and Miss Miller took up the receiver. - -Then the girls learned that everyone at Mossy Crest had been invited, -but Mrs. Remington had an important Woodcraft Council that Friday night -and could not accept, but Elizabeth was delighted to go with Wako Tribe. - -"Now that's settled we can say 'yes' to the invitation," said Jane, -impatiently. - -It took but a few moments to write the note to Dr. Baker and then the -girls chattered excitedly again. - -"Got everything ready for the Gift Ceremony?" asked Zan. - -"I have," came from many, and "Most done," from others. - -And from the Guide: "I followed an original idea that promises to give -some fun but will not be a part of your ceremony. No need to ask -questions of me, as I do not intend to speak of my secret until the time -arrives." - -Thus warned beforehand, the girls giggled but asked no questions that -would bring down a significant silence upon them. - -Friday was a perfect October day and at four o'clock sharp the cars -filled with happy Woodcrafters left Dr. Baker's house. The ride through -the lovely country glowing in Autumn colours, and the mingled odours of -drying hay, woodsy scents, and late flowers made everyone feel good. - -Arrived at Wickeecheokee Farm, Mrs. Baker and the party of boys were -left at the house while the members of Wako Tribe continued on the road -that ran over the Big Bridge and passed Bill Sherwood's cottage. Here -the Woodcrafters jumped out and started for the Bluff that could be -plainly seen from the road. - -Bill and his wife, the resident farmers, welcomed the girls and the -former declared: "Looks like the good old Summertime wid all you'se -girls here again." - -"Chump Mark for your slang, Bill!" laughed Zan. - -And genial Bill, not knowing what a Chump Mark meant, grinned and -replied: "Ya'as, Miss San, it sure was a fine camp!" - -That night after dishes were cleared away, the boys brought the -chestnuts they had found and everyone crowded about the glowing embers -of the camp-fire and roasted the delicious nuts. Then the boys sang -glee-songs and the girls told Folk Stories till time for bed. - -"Now don't oversleep, girls," shouted Fiji, as the boys followed Mrs. -Baker away from the Bluff. - -"If you're not ready to start when we call in the morning, we'll just go -on without you," added Fred Remington. - -"We want to get bags and _bags_ of chestnuts in the morning, 'cause -we've got other things to do in the afternoon for the party to-morrow -night," explained Jack Hubert. - -"Oh say! Don't talk as if we were the sleepy-heads that you boys are! -Don't we know _you_!" scorned Jane, as Zan and she exchanged glances -which said as plain as could be: "Trying to pose with their sisters -present!" - -And so it proved. The girls were ready and impatiently calling or -signalling before the boys appeared on the trail coming through the -woods from the farm-house. - -That morning a great harvest of hickory nuts and chestnuts was gathered -and by the time the hunters were back at camp they were half-famished -from the crisp, cold air and bracing exercise. - -Fiji had seen some rabbits during the morning, and the moment he was at -the house began: - -"Mumsie, Fred brought his rifle and we're going hunting this afternoon. -The other little boys can do that work for you." - -"Indeed you're not! Rifle or no rifle, Fred is my guest and he will not -use the fire-arm while I have anything to do about it." - -"Oh pshaw, Mum! He knows everything about a gun! He and I won't go near -anyone else, and you know you can trust _me_!" coaxed Fiji. - -"Fred, get the rifle for me, please. I will return it when we get back -to the city. I know too much about promises to be careful. I think it is -perfectly safe for you to use the gun when you are with experienced -hunters or alone, but not with a party of boys who never held a rifle in -proper position before. This Winter I propose having the boys take -lessons in a shooting gallery I know of, and then it will be different." - -The wild dreams of bringing a deer or grizzly bear to camp, or at least -a small harmless rabbit, vanished for Fiji. Consequently, he was moody -when the other boys started out to gather the long creepers and branches -of brilliant Autumn leaves meant to decorate the house for the evening's -entertainment. - -But the effect of invigorating air and scrambling over ledges of rock -could not long keep anyone in a moody or sulky spell, and Fiji was the -liveliest of the lively boys before he returned home laden with the Fall -harvest of the woods. - -Mrs. Baker was invited to attend the afternoon Birthday Council, and at -three o'clock the Chief opened the meeting with the usual prayer and -other ceremonies. After Tally Reports were read, and _coups_ awarded to -some of the new members and a few of the old ones of the Band, the -feature of the Council began. - -"O Chief!" commenced the Guide, standing and saluting Zan. "I suggest -that we perform the Gift Ceremony of the Zuni Indians in distributing -our gifts. Mrs. Remington loaned me the sacred otter skin for this -purpose and Elizabeth knows the rite by heart, so I propose that she act -the principal part with Zan as second." - -"How!" approved the Council members, so the Chief took up the tomtom. - -Sitting at one side of the Circle, dressed in her ceremonial robes, Zan -beat the tomtom while Elizabeth, also gorgeously arrayed in beaded -costume, representing Wako Tribe for that time, entered the Ring -hop-stepping, and followed by the other members. As each girl passed the -tomtom she paid tribute to the sacred instrument by an obeisance to the -East for reverence, to the South, playfully, to the West with awe, and -to the North for protection from all cold. Then they all sat in their -places about the Council Fire to hear the Guide speak. - -"To-day the braves of Wako Tribe won a great victory. The warriors of -another Tribe, dwelling in the camp made by White Men, over-slept and -were late on the war-path. But my Braves, led by our great Chief, were -ready with paint and weapons to fight the as yet unseen enemy. - -"With bags and baskets, we followed the trail which led to the sometime -hidden chestnuts, or again some were found lying in ambush in the long -wild grass. Many captives were made to bring back to camp for the fire -and feast which celebrate the victory to-night. Hidden rascals, so -surrounded by the sharp arrow points sticking from the chestnut burrs -that we had many a finger-wound from them, were finally scalped--their -burrs cracked open and the prisoners taken away. - -"Some of our warriors were struck on the head by falling shells from -hickory trees where the nuts had grown and awaited this opportunity to -drive away assailants. But with the very act of striking us with shells, -they also burst open, fell to earth, and thus were captured. - -"We left many empty worthless shells on the battlefield, but the -prisoners shall be roasted at our war-dance to-night!" - -As the Guide sat down a chorus of laughing "How's!" came from the girls -for the extemporaneous war-talk. - -At a signal sounded on the tomtom, Elizabeth came from the shelter of a -huge tree-trunk and entered the Council Ring in solemn manner. She -carried the Ceremonial Blanket which was upheld high with both hands in -front of her. This blanket was spread out upon the ground, the four -corners being four-square to the four imaginary corners of the earth and -the four winds. - -Standing on the rear edge of the blanket, Elizabeth bowed to the East, -then to the South, next to the West, and fourth to the North; last, to -Wakanda and to Maka Ina. - -She then took the peace-pipe from the Chief and wafted its smoke to the -four winds and placed the pipe on the blanket parallel to its front edge -near the circle of Woodcrafters, and near the front edge of the blanket. - -The Chief then brought the Sacred Otter Skin and placed it over -Elizabeth's out-stretched hands. This was presented to Wakanda and Maka -Ina, then a magic circle was woven all about the outside of the blanket -to ward off all evil spirits. - -This motion was done by waving the otter skin, as if swimming, holding -it about two feet above the ground, being careful to keep the skin -extended horizontally on top of the hands, which were held about -eighteen inches apart. The circle woven, the otter skin was placed upon -the blanket next to the pipe and parallel with it. - -The Chief then brought and presented to Elizabeth the bowl of Sacred -Corn Meal. This was lifted up and presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, -then corn meal was sprinkled on the pipe and otter skin, Elizabeth -kneeling on the blanket and moving on her knees to accomplish this -ceremony. - -"This magic circle now woven and complete may not be crossed by anyone -holding evil intentions," said Elizabeth solemnly. - -Now came the ceremony of distributing the gifts which were brought in -baskets or upon large grass mats and left near the blanket where the -Chief could reach them. As each gift was taken up, the Chief handed it -to Elizabeth who called out the name written on the package. Then the -receiver came up, bowed low before the blanket, and received the gift. -It was then opened, admired, and gratefully acknowledged, before the -recipient stepped backward to her seat in the Circle. - -When all the gifts were bestowed, Elizabeth bowed and lifted the sacred -otter skin and placed it across the bowl of corn meal. Next the pipe was -taken up and laid upon the otter skin and then all three were lifted in -both hands and held high above her head as she moved backward on her -knees to the rear edge of the blanket. There she rose to her feet and -departed with the bowl, otter skin, and pipe. - -After many exclamations of delight, surprise, and thanks to the girls -who had worked so well on the gifts, it was found that not one gift had -been bestowed by Miss Miller. This was the proper time for the Guide to -speak. - -"O Chief! If you and Elizabeth will accompany me to yon cabin I will see -that my share of the entertainment is finished." - -Wonderingly, the two girls went with the Guide and carried many -suggestive packages from the cabin to the Council Ring. Miss Miller -carried an enormous bundle, but no one could gain the slightest hint of -its contents. - -Laughing at the curious faces of the girls watching as the strings were -cut, the Guide unwrapped a red, white, and blue paper object that had a -long bamboo handle protruding from its midst of rioting colours. - -"O Brother Warriors, what can it be?" laughed Zan, looking at the girls. - -"O Chief, no one but Wakanda can answer that question!" retorted Jane, -creating a general laugh at her irreverent reply. - -"But Wakanda gave me the idea to make this and I hold the power to -explain it," said Miss Miller, rebukingly, even as she smiled at Jane's -retort. - -As she spoke she pushed down upon a wire and as the patriotic colours -spread out lo! there appeared a giant umbrella in the American colours. -The bamboo pole was the centre-rod and handle. - -"Goodness gracious me!" exclaimed Zan. "How under the sun did you ever -get it so large and to work so easy?" - -"I took an ancient umbrella for a foundation and then bound on the extra -reeds to the original ribs to make it longer and larger all round. Then -I glued the paper on the tops," explained the Guide. - -"It makes a great American shade for us," giggled Elena. - -"Ought to be labelled 'Made in America,'" added Jane. - -"But what I want to know is 'Why-for and Where-for?'" said Nita. - -"I see that no one suspects the plot, so I will have to tell," laughed -Miss Miller, sticking the bamboo handle in a wooden block having a clamp -to hold it upright--something like the tree holders at Christmas time. -But this holder permitted the upper section of the block to swing around -on a pivot fastened to the lower section-block. - -When the handle was securely fastened Miss Miller gave the huge umbrella -a twirl to see if it worked well, and still the girls stood wondering -what it all was for. - -"Now get busy, girls, and hand me the packages while I tie them on these -sticks," advised the Guide, attaching a small package as she spoke. - -"The heavy ones that will drag the ribs down too far we will spread on -the grass and tie a card with the name of the owner on the stick instead -of the bundle itself," continued Miss Miller, as a large box was handed -her. - -With many hands to help, the packages were soon in place, and then the -Guide said: - -"We will all stand in a circle about the umbrella and as I swing it -about we sing: - - "Merrily in this Council Ring, - Dancing gayly as we sing, - What will this umbrella bring - When we change to hippety-hop - And our Chief calls out to stop?" - -"We can dance any step we like, but the moment I call out 'Change!' you -all have to change your steps to a hippety-hop step; then when Zan calls -out 'Stop' you have to stop short where you are. I will call a name from -my list and whoever is opposite that name removes it from the umbrella. -If it happens to belong to the one removing it from the stick, well and -good, but if the one who opens it is not the owner, she holds it up to -view and calls out the name of the owner. At the same time she starts to -run around the ring on the _outside_, and the owner to whom the package -belongs must catch her. If she has not caught her in three rounds about -the ring, the hunter pays a forfeit to secure the prize. At the end of -our game we will redeem the forfeits." - -"What an original game!" exclaimed May. - -"But so childish!" complained Eleanor. - -"Pity we haven't more of the simple childlike pleasures," added Mrs. -Baker, who had overheard the remark. - -"Now then, girls--ready?" called the Guide, ignoring the criticism from -Eleanor. - -"Yes--all ready!" called most of the girls. - -The umbrella was given a swift twirl and it spun around while the girls -sang the rollicking verse, but Zan forgot to call "Change," so they -concluded the song and the umbrella still whirled, the paper packages -flying out to the extreme end of the strings. - -Everyone jeered at Zan for forgetting to call, and she promised to do -better next time. "I only did it that time to give you girls practise," -said she, laughingly. - -The chorus of denials might have deafened everyone had not the Guide -shouted: "Now, once again, girls! If Zan makes a second mistake she pays -two forfeits!" - -"How! How!" followed this agreeable statement, and the umbrella whirled -again. - -"Change!" shouted Zan at the word, and some of the girls did change the -step correctly while others were in doubt. - -"Here--a forfeit from each one of you!" demanded Zan, and the punishment -made the game more exciting. - -"The next time the same one mistakes she pays double!" added Zan, -placing the forfeits in a basket. But the girls were beginning to learn -how it was played, and the first game ended with everyone laughing or -jesting. Miss Miller had Mrs. Baker take a paper from a bag and read out -a name. - -"Elena Marsh," read Mrs. Baker. - -Everyone looked eagerly at the laden stick opposite her, and Jane -called: "Here it is, in front of me." - -"Jane removes it and runs about the circle with Elena after her," added -Miss Miller. - -Twice around the ring flew Jane, and Elena, fleet-footed, after her, -until in the third round the pursuer caught up and held her captive. - -Great interest was shown as Elena opened the package and showed a small -box of French pastels. - -"Oh!" sighed she in ecstasy, "I've wanted one of these ever since I was -born!" - -Everyone laughed and Zan added: "I bet you daubed and designed through -many incarnations before this present one." - -"Come ahead, girls! I want to see if Miss Miller gave me a new -riding-habit--I want one badly!" called Jane. - -So with laughing and merriment, the second whirl began. - -It happened to be Edith Remington's name that was chosen, and the -package stopped directly opposite the child, so with trembling fingers -she untied the string and found a box of water-colours and all the -accessories to work with. - -"Oh, Miss Miller, I'm so much obliged to you!" exclaimed the delighted -little girl, making a quaint curtsey. - -The game continued, some claimants having to pay forfeits and some -winning the award, until all were called out. The gifts were very -appropriate for each one and afforded much pleasure; but Zan had a -grievance. - -"Miss Miller, I think you're real mean not to give us a chance to have -something on the umbrella for you, too." - -"That wasn't my fault, Zan. I thought of the umbrella and made it, but -your mother insisted upon buying the gifts. She brought them to the farm -all wrapped and ready to distribute." - -"It isn't like mother to forget anyone--Mumsie, where is Miss Miller's -gift?" shouted Zan, as she saw her mother returning from the cabin. - -"Right here! It was so heavy it would have broken down the carefully -built up umbrella, so I left it for the last gift." - -The large flat package was handed to the Guide, who took it with -amazement in her eyes, for she had not expected anything. Midst the -laughter of her girls, the Guide carried the heavy parcel to the rustic -table and began opening the outside paper. - -She found another well-tied paper covering within and tried to unknot -the string. But it had to be cut, as it was so twisted and bound about -the package. - -Inside this wrapper was still another, and Mrs. Baker cried: "That Fiji! -I told him to wrap the box up carefully and I shouldn't wonder but what -he used as many papers as he does on April Fool's Day!" - -After more than a dozen wrappers, each tied well and knotted with heavy -twine, had been removed, the last paper was cut away. The Guide took out -a japanned-tin box and upon opening it the Woodcrafters all said "Ah!" - -There was a complete set of pyrography tools, a roll of stencilled -Woodcraft designs (made by Elizabeth Remington), and transfer paper, -copying inks, etc. - -"Not an item forgotten--even a bottle of alcohol for the fuel!" cried -Miss Miller, too surprised to remember to thank Mrs. Baker. - -The girls watched and smiled in sympathy, and suddenly, as the Guide -remembered she had not expressed her gratitude, they all burst out -laughing at her expense. - -After many apologies and profuse thanks, she added: "Such a teacher of -morals and manners to these girls!" - -As usual, Nita was called upon to dance and the Storm Cloud was done so -gracefully by her that the audience said she should be given an extra -dish of ice-cream for dessert that night. - -When the forfeits had been paid off it was time to cook camp-supper. -Before they were ready to sit and sup, however, the boys were heard -shouting in the woods, and Miss Miller said: - -"Suppose we invite the boys to supper, as we are going to be their -guests to-night at the house?" - -A merry group sat about the great flat rock that evening while Mrs. -Baker and the Guide waited on the hungry Woodcrafters. The girls told -about the umbrella and the boys of their mountain hike. - -The dishes cleared away, they all marched through the woods in the -gloaming, and reached the house ready for more sport. Many exclamations -of surprise and admiration came from the girls as they saw the way the -boys had spent their afternoon. - -Brightly coloured foliage festooned the doors, window-casings, and -pictures of the large living-room. Pumpkins shed subdued light from the -candles within their grinning faces. Red peppers, golden corn on stalks, -and tall grasses formed decorations in the corners of the room. Black -paper witches, bats, and yowling cats swung from invisible threads from -the beams of the ceiling, and many other Hallow E'en ideas were carried -out. - -Regular Hallow E'en games were played at first, then Fred called for the -Jack Horner Pie he had spied in the kitchen. - -"Well, then, help me carry it in," laughed Mrs. Baker. - -Shortly they were seen carrying in the galvanized wash-tub that had been -used for the pie-tin. A brown pie-crust fitted over the top of it, but -no one knew what was under the crust. "How under the sun did you bake -it?" wondered Zan. - -"That's a culinary secret!" laughed Mrs. Baker. - -"Tell us, so we can enter the recipe in the Tally," replied Elena, also -laughing. - -"I made the pastry rather moist and rolled it out into a great sheet and -placed it on the wooden bread-board. The oven was very hot and after the -sheet of dough had been in it a few moments it baked and browned enough -to spread it over the tub. I pinched down the edges to the tin, and -there you are! Not to be eaten, however, for you will find it too -pasty." - -The strings that came up through the pie-crust led to objects hidden in -the tub of flour. And as each player took a string to hold as his prize, -every string was soon claimed. When the crust was broken and the prizes -drawn from the flour, the players found many funny gifts. Great was the -Bedlam when tin horns, rattles, and "crackers" began sounding -everywhere. - -The young folks then played other games and ended with a peanut hunt -that led and misled many hunters to every corner of the house in search -of a hidden peanut. - -"It must be time for refreshments, Mumsie," said Bob, at last. - -"All right, Son, call them all to the feast," laughed Mrs. Baker. - -As the group of merry-makers sat about the room munching sandwiches, -Jane said, "Mrs. Baker, tell us how you made these delicious fillings. -We'll write it down and make some too." - -"I took a can of salmon and chopped it well with soft cream cheese. This -I did at home and brought it here in a glass jar. It is very good on -butter-thins, as you just said. - -"The speckled sandwich-fillings are made of cream cheese, chopped -olives, a bit of pimento, and seasoning. Thin slices of dark rye bread -are best for this filling. - -"Of course, you all know the walnut and fig filling--you simply chop -nuts with cream cheese for the first kind, and chop figs, peanut butter, -and a bit of rich cream for the second kind." As Mrs. Baker concluded, -another girl called out: - -"Tell us how you made this lemonade! I never tasted better." - -"I ran the lemon peel through a meat-chopper with the lemon pulp. I use -about one-quarter peel and the pulp of one lemon to the juice of every -three lemons. If the juice of one orange and a lime is added to every -ten lemons, it flavours the product much better. Sometimes a bit of -Maraschino adds a peculiar flavour, but we never use it for the -children." - -The party ended with fortune-telling, with apple-parings, sailing walnut -shells across the tub of water, risking noses and teeth at biting on -swinging apples, and other familiar games. - -The next day being Sunday, the boys and girls hiked over the -mountain-side and Zan pointed out to the others the place where the -snake frightened the girls that Summer, and the road where Nita was -caught in a thunder-storm. - - - - -CHAPTER THIRTEEN--INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT - - -November ushered itself in with cold and penetrating fogs, so that the -girls found it pleasanter to hold meetings at each other's houses or in -the gymnasium, instead of out-of-doors. At the indoor meetings they -learned the application of Woodcraft ideas and principles to meet their -needs of everyday life. - -Miss Miller had them take up knitting for the soldiers and required them -to do a certain stint every day. They also completed the bead bandings -for their ceremonial costumes. Nita loaned the Guide the pattern for a -dancing costume and each girl cut out, fitted, and made, of cheap cotton -crepe bloomers, blouse, and skirt for dancing. - -Besides designing belts, banding, and costumes, the girls began regular -weekly lessons with Elizabeth as teacher, in sketching and designing. -Elizabeth attended a New York School of Design and could tell the girls -whatever she had learned. Many pretty patterns in cross-stitch and other -work were thus made and applied to use. - - -[Illustration: _ZAN'S CEREMONIAL COSTUME._] - - -"I'm going to ask Dad to send me to school next Winter," declared Jane, -who enjoyed the work immensely. - -"And Elena, Nita, and May ought to go, too," added Miss Miller, admiring -the dainty work done by these girls. - -One afternoon the Guide said: "Girls, have any of you entered blue -prints in your Tally Books?" - -No one had, so she added: "Just as soon as Spring comes with its first -flowers, I want you to start a blue print album. I think it is one of -the most interesting and instructive of pursuits. I have a book that I -completed during a trip through the Canadian Northwest, and I wouldn't -sell those blue prints for any price--they are so beautiful and the wild -flowers so interesting." - -The Saturdays during November were spent in New York, the Guide taking -the girls to the splendid public libraries; lectures illustrated with -motion pictures were given by white men who had spent many years with -the Indians; and the unusual series of talks given at the Museum on -Central Park West and 79th Street proved most interesting. Here also the -Woodcrafters saw life-sized groups of Indians in wax, the individual -costumes and customs of each Tribe being faithfully depicted by the -clothes, items of camping outfits, and other things. In these -exhibitions the girls found many suggestions that they could apply to -pottery work, bead work, and other things pertaining to Indian life. - -One afternoon, while visiting the large library on the corner of Fifth -Avenue and 42nd Street, Miss Miller said: "Who knows where the first -public library was founded--and when?" - -No one knew, so the Guide told them. - -"The first on record--there may have been private collections then as -now, but it was not recorded--was founded at Athens by Hipparchus in 526 -B. C. - -"The second of note was founded at Alexandria by Ptolemy Philadelphus, -but it was burnt when Julius Caesar set fire to Alexandria in 47 B. C. -It is said that 400,000 rare and valuable books were destroyed in that -disaster. - -"A second library was formed from the remains of the books in this first -one, and this second was reputed to have held over 700,000 volumes, but -this was captured by the Saracens who used the books for fuel instead of -working to gather wood. - -"In 1446 A. D. the next large library was formed and from that time on -collections of important books were made and offered to the public for -free use." - -Such comments by Miss Miller always made the visits to public buildings -very interesting to the girls, who acquired a general knowledge of -things worth knowing in this manner. - -One Saturday before the weather was too cold, they all went to Bedloe's -Island, now renamed Liberty Island, in New York Harbour. Here they -climbed the endless round of narrow iron steps until they regretted -having started the ascent. But there was no turning back, as the descent -was on the other side and no one could go down when once started up. - -Having wearily climbed to the crown of the head in the Liberty Goddess -Statue, they were disappointed at not finding the view any better than -that seen from the balcony where the elevator stopped, but which was -wonderful from that vantage point. From the Statue they walked about the -Island and then took the small boat back to Battery Park. - -The Aquarium was visited next, and here the girls found many odd and -interesting fish. One funny fish, grey in colour and about fifteen -inches in length, kept bumping his nose against the glass side as if to -come through. At each bump he slid back in the water and tried again. - -"'Constant dripping wears the rock away,'" said Zan, watching him come -back again and again to strike the glass. - -"He is only playing tag with his nose," explained Jane. - -"But why should he always keep his mouth open half-way, as if he had -difficulty in breathing?" asked Nita. - -"Maybe he has--that constant bumping on his nose will cause a swelling -and close up the nostrils," ventured Elena. - -"Oh, I have it!" cried Zan, nodding her head vigourously. "The poor -thing has asthma from that damp atmosphere! He gasps through his open -mouth and tries to break down the screen of glass to get more air!" - -This explanation brought a laugh not only from the girls who crowded -about the glass case, but from some observers who also stood watching -the queer fish. - -Just before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Remington invited Wickeecheokee Band to -spend the week-end in camp in the woods back of the house. Fred's Tribe -would also camp there, and it was thought a good time to hold contests -between the boys and the girls. - -The girls hailed the treat with many varied expressions, but the days -immediately preceding the Holidays grew so cold that most mothers -objected to having the girls sleep out in the open. - -"They can camp in the Council House," said Mrs. Remington over the -telephone, when Miss Miller told her of the trouble. - -"Oh, yes, yes!" cried everyone at that. - -Beaded Ceremonial Costumes were finished but had not yet had an -opportunity to be worn, so these were packed in the suit-cases with -head-bands, moccasins, _coup_-sticks, and many other fine articles of -Indian costume. - -Wednesday was a beautiful day but so cold that Dr. Baker said he was -relieved to know the girls would be in the Council House at night. The -boys refused to be so molly-coddled, they averred, and so they camped -out in the woods. However, Mrs. Remington whispered to the girls the -next morning that Fred had made use of two Sibley stoves brought from -Maine for camp use. - -"There will be skating on the lake if we have another day and night of -this cold," said Mr. Remington, rubbing his ears to keep up the -circulation as he stood in front of the Council House early Thursday -morning. - -"I say, girls! Want your picture took? Get into your robes and pose out -in the sun, if you do!" shouted Elizabeth, from the porch of the house. - -It did not take long for the Woodcrafters to change to their Woodcraft -costumes and when they ran over to the group of pine trees where -Elizabeth stood waiting, they found the boys had decorated the place -with totems, shields, and _coup_-sticks to create a genuine Woodcraft -atmosphere. - -Zan's costume, with its picturisation of the camp on the farm, was -pronounced the handsomest of all, although Elena's ran a close second. -So these two girls were selected for individual pictures which could be -used in the Tally Book of the Tribe. Zan held Elizabeth's _coup_-stick, -her own only having a few feathers on it, and the former being -well-decorated by marks of achievement, for Elizabeth was a zealous -Woodcrafter. - -Thanksgiving dinner was not to be served until four that afternoon, and -it was only ten when many of the campers began to wish it was late -afternoon. Mrs. Remington was a perfect hostess and, having five healthy -children, she suspected the gnawings under many belts. Hence her next -suggestion: - -"Fred, why don't you boys invite the girls to dinner at your camp in the -woods?" - -"How!" eagerly chorused the girls. - -"Why, so we will, if the girls will bring the grub over from the barn. -We haven't enough to go around such a crowd." - -Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Remington added: "If I was a Black Bear, I'd -scout for victuals and not expect the squaws to bring their own feast!" - -Fred understood his mother only too well, and he quickly took the hint, -calling Fiji to help him. In another moment the two had disappeared in -the woods and were seen no more for some time. The others walked slowly -back to the Council House to change the beaded costumes to camp clothes -again. - -About the time the girls were ready to follow the hosts to the camp in -the woods, Fred and Fiji were seen crossing the field, carrying heavy -baskets on their arms and bags suspended over their shoulders. - -"They must have scouted, Mother!" laughed Mr. Remington. - -And "mother" nodded understandingly and laughed also. - -At camp the Woodcrafters found Fred and Fiji unpacking boiled ham, -potatoes, pickles and preserves, bread, a pie, and other edibles. In the -bag that had been slung over Fiji's back was a stone crock filled with -delicious cookies still warm. - -"There girls, the cookies will hold you together while we roast potatoes -and get the lunch ready," said Fred. - -"Um-m! I want this recipe from someone to put in our book. These are the -best cookies I ever tasted," said Elena. - -"Someone can tell you the recipe right now, Elena. It happens to be my -own that Mrs. Remington tried," laughed Miss Miller. - -"Tell us, then, while I write it down," urged Elena, with a pencil and -scrap of paper ready for use. - -"To one-half cup of butter I use one-half cup of lard and one-half cup -of sugar. Two eggs, one level tablespoon each of ginger, cinnamon, and -soda, with enough flour to roll out the dough easily. - -"Cream the butter and lard together first, then add the sugar gradually. -When the eggs are well beaten I add them. The spices and soda are mixed -with two cups of flour and sifted into the batter. I use enough flour so -the dough will roll out well. Cut them with a biscuit cutter and bake in -a quick oven. Last of all, lock safely away in a secret vault where -children cannot follow the scent and eat them up before the cook has -washed the tins that the cookies were baked in." - -The girls laughed at the last part of the recipe and Fred said it was -the most important if cookies were to be kept on hand. - -After the stolen provender was thoroughly enjoyed by the hosts and -guests in camp, the boys entertained the girls with relay races, Deer -Hunts, Bat Ball, and a Bear Spearing Contest. - -Just as the bear was killed by Fred, the gong sounded from the house -calling the people to the Thanksgiving Dinner--the greatest contest of -the day, Billy said. - -The wide rear verandah of the Remington house was inclosed in glass in -the Winter, and being ten feet wide and extending across the entire back -of the house, it afforded an excellent place for the dinner. The table, -made of four fifteen-inch-wide planks eighteen feet in length, placed on -wooden horses, was covered with two long table-cloths. Benches made of -wide planks also resting on boxes provided enough seats for all. - -Mose, the family fixture who plays so important a role in the "Woodcraft -Boys at Sunset Island" (the island being the Remingtons' Summer resort -off the coast of Maine), bossed the serving of the dinner. He had been -given charge of Mary, the upstairs girl, and Katy the kitchen maid, and -these, with Anna the governess, proved efficient to wait on the hungry -horde of children. - -Strange, however, that after that dinner not one of the Woodcrafters -felt like dancing an Indian War Dance to entertain others! - -During the night the temperature grew warmer and the sky clouded over -with snow-clouds. Early Friday morning a very light snow began falling, -but grew heavier until noon, when great gusts of snow were swept across -the valley at every fresh hurricane of wind. All day Friday and most of -Friday night, the snow continued falling, but the Woodcrafters cared -little about that when they were having such a jolly time indoors. They -were entertaining the Black Bears in the Council House, and many a wild -shout echoed up through the loft, as a Bear caught a Wako Triber in a -war-dance. - -Before ten o'clock the boys were summoned to go to camp, and much -against their inclinations to leave the cosy fire in the chimney-place -of the Council House, they started out in the driving snow to plough -over the field to their cold and cheerless camp. - -In the early morning, however, the sun sparkled on the glistening snow -and the Woodcraft girls were awakened by a fusillade of snow-balls -striking the side of the barn, some of the soft snow falling through the -opened windows and scattering over the faces of the sleepy girls. - -They were soon up and dressed and out-doors to return the cold welcome -given by the Black Bears. The snow-balls flew back and forth rapidly, -until Fred had an idea. - -"I say! What's the matter with having a regular fight! Build a fort and -choose up sides?" - -"Down on the flats by the road-side!" added Billy, pointing to the -low-land that fronted the lawns by the private road. - -"Just the thing!" exclaimed Fiji. - -"Will you girls help?" asked Jack Hubert. - -The girls looked at the Guide for approval, and she, seeing the gleam of -battle shining from those many eyes, laughed. - -"No ice to be packed in the balls, remember!" warned the Guide, trying -to be severe. - -"Of course not!" agreed Bobby Baker. - -"And no hard-packed snow, either. Just the soft feathery kind that gets -down your back and blinds your eyes," added Miss Miller, knowing well -how to disguise her advice and make it sound enticing to the boys. - -It took full two hours to complete the great fort and build refuges like -pockets in the snow-wall, where daring scouts venturing away from the -army could find temporary protection. While the boys were building the -fort the girls rolled great piles of snow ammunition for both sides to -use when the battle should rage. - -Then came the commandeering of the two sides. Fred gallantly offered his -services to Wako Tribe, while Fiji Baker undertook to command the boys' -side. As there were but eleven girls and seventeen boys, some of the -surplus male contingent had to come over to join the girls' side. - -Then began preliminary tactics, followed by an engagement of the main -armies. This was followed by the most active fighters running back and -forth to plant a well-aimed shot whenever they discovered an unprotected -head or body for a target. The battle waged for more than an hour, first -one side winning a victory, then the other side, but at last Fiji's side -showed signs of defeat, and soon was retreating at full speed. The shots -fell so fast and furious at that, that the boys were almost routed when -Fiji made a grand rally. - -To have it said that a lot of girls were victorious over the Black Bears -or Grey Foxes was not to be thought of, so the General spurred his -fighters back again to try and win the lost trench, but Fred was a fine -general, too, and he was quick to take advantage of the other's mistake -in leaving the protection of the fort. - -In less than half an hour's time after Fiji rallied his men, the fort -was demolished, most of Fiji's men were prisoners, and the girls were -triumphant! The captives then had to submit to having their faces well -washed in the soft cold snow. - -That was a glorious day and one to be remembered, for not only were -merry faces as red as Baldwin apples and hands swollen and purple from -handling much snow, but the Remington larder suffered from such secret -raids that the cook finally stumped up to the library to "give notice." - -Mose intercepted her, however, and tried to pacify her with the news -that the visitors would soon go home, and "anyway, Thanksgivin' onny -comes once a year, Maria!" - -"Agh! G'wan! Don't Oi know this fam'ly? It's foriver havin' comp'ny an' -eatin' me out av iverything Oi cook! It's cook, _cook_, _COOK_ aul the -toime an' niver a crumb to eat!" declared Maria. - -"But just think, Maria, how soon this thing will have to stop. The high -cost of livin' and the laws made by the President won't let us eat much -anny more, an' you'll have an easy time, then," said Mose, trying to -placate the angry cook. - -"An' it's good wages an' plenty of my friends to visit me to tay," said -Maria, thoughtfully, so Mose knew he had won a different kind of battle -than the one fought on the Flats with snow. - -After a red-hot luncheon that partly thawed out the half-frozen -warriors, Mrs. Remington asked if they would like to take a sleigh-ride -in a great farmer's sleigh that afternoon. The man called twice a week -to deliver eggs, butter, and chickens from his farm some miles in the -country, and would be glad to have the extra fee offered for driving a -party of young folks on a joy-ride. - -That evening was spent in quiet ways, as everyone felt weary and ready -for bed the moment it could reasonably be suggested. - -The rest of the visit was devoted to indoor pastimes, as a thaw set in -and made the ground too wet and muddy for any games or fun on the lawn. - -Then came the time for good-byes and the Woodcrafters were carried away, -leaving a sense of loneliness with the family where they had had such a -good time. - -December came in with much wind and snow so that all hope of week-end -camps was at low ebb. But the girls found plenty of work to do and the -applicants for the second Band were ready to qualify, and attention had -to be paid to this important matter. - -Most of the girls applying for membership were so anxious to belong to -Wako Tribe that it seemed hard to deny any one of them. But the rules in -the Manual were to be followed and some had to be left out. Hence the -choosing of the crowd of girls that had asked for admission was to be -done by drawing lots. - -The names of the girls were written on slips of paper and these were -folded up into small cubes, then shaken well in a covered tin. The Guide -drew forth the first ten papers and these were the ones drawn to form -the second Band--Suwanee, it was called. - -The ten girls selected were delighted, but the others half cried with -bitter disappointment, so that the Guide agreed to ask Mrs. Baker to -start a new Band for them which would eventually grow into a Tribe of -its own. And this promise soothed the wounded hearts of the unfortunate -ones. - -Although the improvement in Eleanor Wilbur had been so slow that none of -her daily associates had noticed it, still it was constantly going on, -so that when Ethel Clifford returned from the Californian trip she -exclaimed at the great change in the girl. - -"Why, Miss Miller, it doesn't seem possible! Really, can't you see the -improvement?" said the girl. - -"Now that you mention some small things, I can see where she has been -helped, but I almost gave up in despair several times, and I'd rather -you would not let her hear of this conversation as she is not 'out of -the woods' yet, by any means," said Miss Miller. - -Nevertheless, it was as Ethel had said: there was a change for the -higher and better life that was making an impression in Eleanor's -character and desires, and these in time would overcome her former -weaknesses. - -That Winter, needle-craft was taken up and many practical as well as -beautiful things were made by the girls. The Christmas-tide gave each -one plenty to do, as they planned to make all their gifts this year with -as little cost in money as possible. And these gifts were all beautiful -and artistic, as well as sensible and useful articles. - -Not a mother or father of these girls but felt proud to show the gifts -made by their daughters that Christmas, and many a parent thanked Miss -Miller for the patience and time she had devoted to the Woodcrafters to -bring them to this point in their education and improvement of -character. - -In January the Guide suggested that an entirely new departure be taken -up before Spring. - -"I didn't think there was anything more on earth that we could learn," -said May, laughing. - -"Now that we have exhausted all the foolishness, maybe we will start on -something worth while," said Eleanor. - -"Just what I have in mind, Eleanor. I shall have you all start practical -and cumbersome work this time," smiled Miss Miller, but to the eager -questions of the girls, she maintained strict silence, merely saying: - -"'Sufficient unto the day'--then you'll see what I have in mind for -you." - - - - -CHAPTER FOURTEEN--WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK - - -"Girls, how many are willing to start making a tent?" said the Guide, at -the next meeting in the gymnasium. - -"A tent! Good gracious!" exclaimed Zan, while the other girls echoed -their Chief's amazement. - -"Easy as hemming a towel, if you know how," laughed Miss Miller. - -"It sounds like a stupendous work, but I suppose Miss Miller will -explain it so that a child like Teddy Remington can sit down and make -one every day," laughed Jane. - -"If you will try I will order the material to-day and show you how to -begin the work," urged the Guide. - -"All right, go ahead! I'm willing to sew my fingers to the bone if you -say so," sighed Zan, who detested sewing. - -The other girls laughed and Miss Miller immediately took up the -telephone receiver and called up a department store. Her conversation -showed that she had already priced materials and had all information at -hand to start the tents without delay. - -"Now, then, the stuff will be here Monday morning and we can start any -time you like. We will allow fifteen yards of stuff for each tent. Four -of you can work on one, for the completed tent will accommodate four -cots. There being enough girls to work on five tents, I have ordered the -material for five." - -Once launched on this unusual task, the girls felt a certain pride in -saying, "We are making our own tents for camp, you know," and when they -heard the large bundle of canvas had arrived they were eager to work. - -"First I will cut two strips of the goods, each strip being thirteen -feet long. Then lap the selvage of one side over the other, about a -quarter of an inch, and sew it down firmly with back-stitching. If we -had a machine it would be better still. There must be a double row of -stitching in case one row breaks in a strain or sudden yank. - -"Now we will spread the whole piece out flat on the floor and fold over -each end crosswise of the long strip toward the centre, and about two -feet three inches from each end. - -"These seams must be stitched or double-seamed on the folds all the way -down each fold, about three or four inches in from the outer edge of the -fold. As this will be the place where the tent-ropes are fastened, you -can stitch it over and over four or five times, for it will have -considerable strain come on it. - -"The two unfinished ends of the strips will then have a narrow hem which -will complete the roof and sides of the tent. "Cut the rest of the cloth -into two strips about two feet and seven inches long for the front and -back ends of the tent. Each of these is to be cut into two pieces with a -slanting cut running from a side two feet one inch at one end to a point -two feet one inch on the other side. - -"The sharp pointed corners are cut off by folding over the cloth three -inches from the edge and by cutting the first slanting edge. You can -save these pieces to use for patches when you reinforce the roof at the -ends of the ridge-pole. - -"Now lay the two pieces together and lap so the points at the top are in -the same position. Stitch down one selvage for a length of two feet and -then straight across to the other selvage, and up to the top again. - -"The section left loose is for a door-flap and tapes are to be sewed at -places a foot from the bottom and also two feet up from the bottom. Hem -each end of bottom and then sew the edges of the sides and slanting top -to the sides and roof of the tent-body. - -"For the ropes, you have to cut holes about half an inch in diameter -right through the folds you stitched down on each side of the roof -section. These holes can be bound or button-holed with a string, or -those who prefer can use metal eyelets. - -"You will need about eight feet of tent-rope for each pole, and a loop -of rope should be sewed at the bottom of the tent below each hole to -hold down the sides. - -"When the tent is completed it should be raised between two straight -tree trunks about five or six feet high, or two poles about the same -height. A pole about six feet long will answer for the ridge-pole. When -these are up, drive some pegs slant-ways into the ground about three -feet away from each side of the tent, to fasten the ropes to, and then -drive more pegs slant-ways for the loops of rope to slip over and hold -firm. - -"Now you will have a neat little tent ready for camping, but two -important things still remain to be done--can anyone tell me what they -are?" asked Miss Miller, as she concluded reading the directions she had -written down on a paper. - -The girls thought earnestly for a time, but no one seemed to grasp the -need of anything else. Finally the Guide said: - -"What would happen in case of a heavy rain-storm?" - -"Oh, we must dig a trench about the outside for rain!" cried Zan, -suddenly realising this important factor in camping. - -"Yes, and a floor must be laid to keep us dry from the damp ground!" -added Jane. - -"I had in mind the gutter for rainwater, but the floor is an important -detail, too. I have a second item that is as important as either of the -others, though," continued Miss Miller. - -"Miss Miller," now said Elizabeth Remington, who was visiting the Tribe -that afternoon, "If you select a spot high and dry on top of a knoll or -hill where the sides carry water down away from your tent, you will not -need to trench the circle to draw off rain from the ground where your -tent stands. It is a natural water-shed." - -"Ah, I see Elizabeth is a more experienced camper than I am, and I admit -that she is better informed than I in this case," said the Guide, -bowing. - -"Another good plan, Miss Miller, is to select a place where the sun can -shine in in the morning and dry out dampness from the cots and inside of -the tent. In case you can't find a place with a natural water-shed in -the ground, then a trench must be dug about a foot wide and nine inches -deep, according to the size of your tent. I am figuring on this size -tent. This trench should be led away from the doorway just as a leader -on a roof carries the water from the building. Also dig a canal for some -distance away from the tent to keep the water from backing up when there -are sudden heavy showers. Otherwise, your place will be flooded from the -over-flow of the trench." - -"Fine! Tell us some more, Elizabeth," said the Guide. - -"Well, mother has experimented and found that in tents made of such thin -stuff as you have here, or with duck or ticking, it is advisable to -water-proof it before using in camp." - -"That was the second point I wanted the girls to find out and add to the -rules," said Miss Miller, glad to hear the visitor was so well-versed in -this work. "Oh, have Betsy tell us how to do it!" cried several girls. - -"I have heard but forgotten. Now I'll get mother to write down the rules -and bring it to you another time," said Elizabeth, sorry she could not -oblige the Woodcrafters. - -"And if anyone here wishes to know the secret before our next meeting, -let her read Edward Stewart White's 'Forest,' or Seton's 'Woodcraft -Book,' or the 'Boy Scout Manual,'," added the Guide. - -"They also explain how to make tepees, Miss Miller," said Elizabeth. - -"Yes, and a tepee is simpler to make than a tent, but this style tent is -much roomier and so serviceable." - -That meeting adjourned very promptly as the girls were not as eager to -remain late sewing on heavy material as they were when there was dancing -or singing. - -But the tents were completed in time, and very proud the Woodcrafters -felt of the great achievement. - -During January, Miss Miller took them to many out-of-town points of -interest. Almost every Saturday was spent somewhere where the girls -learned many new historical facts, or were able to place incidents heard -of in connection with the place visited. - -Thus, they visited Edgar Allan Poe's cottage and the old Revolutionary -Mansions left in certain localities of New York. - -They took the Hudson Tube to Fulton Street, thence the Broadway subway -to 2O7th Street. Here they took a cross-town car to Fordham Road and -walked north along the Concourse to Poe Park. The cottage where Poe -lived and wrote many of his famous poems is standing here, and directly -opposite the cottage is a bust of Poe, erected on the centenary of his -birth, January 19th, 1909. - -Another trip that cost very little and was most interesting was a visit -to Governor's Island. The boat left the Battery, and on the Island they -visited the Military Museum, the Military Prison, the Abandoned Fort, -and the Aviation Station. An aeroplane rose and practised even while the -Tribe watched it from the Field. - -Another Saturday, the Guide started them early in the morning and they -visited Sing Sing, watching the men at work at their trades and seeing -the wonderful law and discipline maintained there. On the way back from -Ossining, they trolleyed to Dobbs' Ferry and visited the old Washington -Headquarters there. It has been purchased and restored to its original -interesting state by a loyal American Patriot, who discovered in time -that a brewery was negotiating to purchase the estate and turn it into a -road-house. Thanks to the generous Patriot, such a desecration was -spared the Nation! - -One of the outings included visits to historical places in Brooklyn, and -the girls were surprised to find many relics of the Revolutionary period -still in good order in various sections of this city. - -Beginning with February, Mrs. Remington expressed a wish to visit a -Council at the Gymnasium and suggest some work to the girls. They -immediately replied with an enthusiastic invitation for her to visit -them Friday evening. - -After preliminaries were disposed of, Mrs. Remington addressed the -Tribe. - -"Now that you girls have your two Bands in good standing and have a -Charter from the League authorising you to be established as Wako Tribe, -your next step should be to organise a Little Lodge. - -"It behooves a first-class Tribe in good standing to start and supervise -a Little Lodge as soon as is reasonable. These little ones can range in -age from three to twelve, and are called 'Brownies.' They usually are -the sisters and brothers or friends of the Big Lodge members. Thus the -little children are early taught to be good citizens--as Woodcraft -teaches everyone that. - -"With the affectionate help from older girls, and the association with -and experience from Big Lodges, these Brownies soon acquire an aptness -for the things taught their elders. My own little ones, Billy, Edith, -and Teddy, have acquired all they know to-day from watching us at home, -or mimicking the Woodcraft things they see accomplished by my Tribe, or -the Black Bears. - -"I have been thinking that my three children, who are not yet twelve, -can join your Little Lodge and be of great help to you in successfully -founding a Brownie Band of your Tribe. I asked them what they thought of -it, and they are delighted with the prospect." - -The Woodcraft girls heartily applauded this idea and Miss Miller thought -it a splendid suggestion. She saw the great possibilities it would offer -the girls to train themselves in patience, sacrifice, and many other -qualities that make for good womanhood. - -In an aside to Mrs. Remington she whispered: "Nothing like the -responsibility of children to bring out dormant strength of character in -a girl!" - -"Exactly! That is why this plan was adopted for Big Lodge Girls." - -"We have been discussing this novel plan and we all wish to ask some -questions," now announced the Chief. - -"The meeting is open for questions," said the Guide. - -"Can my brother Paul join?" asked Hilda. - -"Sure--we'll soon teach him to quit his peevish ways," replied Zan, -frank but thoughtless in her answer. - -Hilda instantly closed her lips tight and looked highly insulted. "The -idea of Zan Baker speaking like that of our little Paul!" said she to -Nita. - -"'Little Paul' is almost as old as Billy Remington, but see the awful -difference," retorted Nita, for she disliked the selfish, whining boy as -heartily as Zan did. - -Hilda turned away but felt ill-treated by her friends. Then Jane Hubert -said: - -"Maybe my little cousin Dot Hubert will join! Goodness knows she needs -this training almost as much as Paul does." - -Some of the girls giggled, for they had noticed Hilda's offended manner, -but Miss Miller quickly added: - -"With the three little Remingtons, that will make five. We are -progressing splendidly, girls." - -"And I believe I can interest my sister in this Lodge so that Betty and -Tammy Fullerton will be allowed to join the Band," ventured Mrs. -Remington. - -"How old are they?" eagerly asked the girls. - -"Tammy is only a little past three years, and Betty is about seven. Our -Teddy is four, Dot Hubert is eight, Edith is nine, Paul is almost -eleven, and Billy past eleven, so you see you have a fine range of ages -to experiment with." - -"Oh, I'm crazy to see them all together and try to have them to do some -Woodcraft stunts!" cried Zan, clasping her hands in delight. - -"Let's hope your enthusiasm keeps up!" grumbled Eleanor, who had not -favoured the new departure very much. - -The next week the Brownies all attended the weekly meeting and the -ceremony of enrolling them as a Little Lodge took place. But as this is -all told in detail in the story called "Little Woodcrafters' Book," in -which the cares and troubles of the self-appointed Woodcraft mothers -fill more than 350 pages and are illustrated by numerous pictures, we -will omit repeating it in this volume. - -With the advent of the Brownies and the conversion of seven active -little bundles of mischief into becoming normal, ambitious, -_coup_-winning Woodcrafters, the time flew by as if on wings. Every -spare moment found from regular studies and Woodcraft work was filled in -by attending to a Brownie need. - -Thus February, March, and April came and passed like a mist before the -rising sun, and the month of May was ushered in and found the five -original girls of Wako Tribe so completely absorbed with the progress -the Brownies were making that the other members were ignored and left to -work as best they could with the help they could find in the Manual or -from Miss Miller. - -The Guide saw the unexpected schism created in the ranks of the Tribe, -but she had to use utmost wisdom in handling this peculiar -situation--all interest shown the Little Lodge by the five girls, and a -lack of concern about the new members of their own Big Lodge. - -The problem was mentioned to Mrs. Remington and that lady suggested a -visit to Council House where Wako Tribe could hold a Grand Council and -exhibit work accomplished during the Winter. This was planned to draw -the factions together again by a mutual pride and interest in their -Tribe activities. - -Besides the friends of the members of Wako Tribe, there would be the -Black Bears (Fred's Tribe), Elizabeth's Tribe, some guests from -Headquarters in New York, and a few neighbours of Mrs. Remington's who -were deeply interested in Woodcraft work. - -The girls of Wako Tribe were delighted to hold a Spring Council at this -place and everyone worked with a will to make the event a memorable -occasion. The Guide heaved a deep sigh, for she saw them all united -again and seeking the advancement of the Tribe as a unit. But she sighed -too soon. - -An elaborate programme was evolved and the visitors were impressed by -the exhibits of Woodcraft work of every kind made and displayed by the -members of the Tribe. - -As one entered the Council House a long table was the first attraction. -Tomtoms, simple or elaborate according to experience and ability of the -makers, beautiful sets of bows and arrows that would carry 100 yards or -150 yards and win _coups_ or grand _coups_, respectively; fire-sets of -rubbing sticks and their leather bags, decorated as the individual -preferred; birch-bark articles made from the Alpine harvest of the -preceding Fall; many kinds of knots tied in rope and tagged as mentioned -in the Manual; individual Tally Books showing what each girl had -accomplished since joining the Tribe; and last but not least on this -table was an enlarged photograph of the little cabin built on -Wickeecheokee Bluff by the five girls during the Summer of their first -camp. - -Back of the first long table of exhibits, the wall was covered with -grass mats, willow beds, decorated blankets, totems, shields, carefully -mounted and framed collections of moths, butterflies, insects of various -kinds, leaves, flowers, forestry, etc. These made an impressive showing, -and many had _coups_ or _grand coups_ attached. - -Next to the long table stood the book-shelves, tabourets, benches, -stools, bird-houses, and other decorative or useful articles in -carpentry. - -A second long table exhibited the pottery work, bowls, fire-urns, -candle-sticks, weaving, bead-work, looms, Indian Sun-dial; work in -brass, silver, copper, and other metals, the designs made, hammered, and -etched by the girls themselves. - -Then an old-fashioned bookcase with glass doors had been brought from -the house-attic and the shelves of this large cabinet were filled with -jars of canned fruit, preserves, pickles, dried and canned vegetables, -dried or salted meats, cakes, bread, and other housekeeper's craft -learned and practised by the members of Wako Tribe. - -On the floor beside the cabinet were hand-made rush brooms, willow-ware -of all kinds, Indian tools for gardening, and the tents made at such -expense of labour and patience during January. - -There were exhibits of _coups_ and degrees and honours for swimming, -star-gazing, farming, archery, nursing, needle-craft, marketing, -singing, dancing, Indian Lore, hostess, cooking, fishing, gardening, -carpentry, camper-craft, bird sharp, art crafts, and minor works so -arranged that the lists seemed endless. In fact, the Big Chief from -Headquarters said he had never witnessed so many achievements -accomplished by one Tribe in so short a time, and he added that it spoke -well for the zeal and application of the members. - -The entertainment now began with the usual ceremonies of Grand Council, -followed by reports and other business. Then the girls performed the -Green Corn Dance, which is especially a Spring Dance. After the Big -Lodge finished this graceful dance, the Brownies of the Little Lodge -acted Nana-bo-jou with great vim and energy. - -Immediately following this dance, the Chief said: "One of our Brownies -wishes to win a _coup_ for storytelling, so I will introduce Edith -Remington to the audience. She will tell you what happened to her last -Winter." - -Edith was acquainted with most of the visitors present, so she felt no -self-consciousness in addressing them. In fact, bashfulness and -over-sensitiveness are two of the undesirable failings eliminated by -Woodcraft, so that a child can do what is expected of it without the -agony brought out by self-consciousness. - -"It was a very cold day--so cold that the ground was frozen hard--but no -snow had fallen yet. I wanted to call Billy 'cause we were invited to -spend the day with my little cousins, so I ran out of the front door to -find him in the woods at the foot of the lawn. - -"Just as I hurried under a big oak tree that stands by the drive, I -heard a queer scratching noise, and some loose pebbles flew in front of -me. - -"I looked over at the foot of the tree-trunk and there was a little -squirrel trying to dig up the hard frozen ground. I s'pose he had some -nuts buried there and wanted to get them out for his dinner. As I stood -watching him for a few minutes, my hands grew cold, so I pulled the -mittens out of my coat pocket. - -"Out flew a peanut with one of the mittens and no sooner did it roll on -the ground than Mr. Squirrel hopped over and had it. He jumped back to -the tree and sat upon his haunches cracking and eating the nut. - -"He must have been awful hungry, 'cause he hurried back to me the minute -he finished the peanut, and jumped upon my arm, looking in my pocket for -more. - -"I waited, as still as a mouse, so he wouldn't get 'fraid, then he -looked up in my face as much as to say: 'Haven't you any more?' - -"I laughed at that, and he jumped away and sat a few yards off watching -me. Then I had an idea. I ran in and asked Mose for some nuts, telling -him about the squirrel. He gave me a handful from the pantry and I ran -back to feed the little fellow. - -"He came right up and took them from my hands and when he had carted -most of them over to the foot of the tree and eaten some, he carried one -at a time to a bough and sat eating it. When that was gone he ran down -and carried another nut up and ate it. - -"I told Billy about it and he said he guessed we could tame that -squirrel if we fed it every day. So we gave it things to eat all Winter -and now it is as tame as can be." - -When Edith concluded her story the audience applauded and Big Chief -declared she must have the _coup_, for the story was well told. - -Edith was so delighted at hearing this praise from the Chief at -Headquarters that she could not be restrained that day--she ran about -showing everyone the _coup_ presented her. - -The Council ended with the Sunset Song, and the meeting was pronounced -to be one of the best Wako Tribe ever held. Miss Miller felt confident -that the plan had united all the girls again and now they would work -together as before, for the progress and advancement of the entire -Tribe. - - - - -CHAPTER FIFTEEN--SOME WEEK-END CAMPS - - -The weather grew warmer with the advancing Spring and out-door life -became a joy to the Woodcrafters. The Little Lodge proved to be so -entertaining to the five girls that they felt a jealousy of any other -member of Wako Tribe should she inadvertently mention a personal -interest in the welfare of the Brownies. - -Miss Miller saw the breach widening again and was torn 'twixt her desire -to keep unity and the struggle to do her duty to both factions. This was -the state of affairs when the Chief suggested a one-day's camp to try -out the Little Lodge in the woods. - -"Did you hear what Zan Baker's gone and done?" exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur, -as soon as she heard about the proposed camp that Saturday. - -"No--what?" demanded some of the girls who were working in the gymnasium -while waiting for Miss Miller. The five other girls seldom met at school -now, as the Brownies met them at their own homes, thus enabling them to -hold aloof from the other members. - -"She's planned a camp and left us out in the cold!" - -"Who told you so?" asked some of the loyal girls. - -"Oh, I heard it, all right. If you don't believe me you can ask the -Guide when she comes in. Maybe she won't tell the truth, though, 'cause -she is as thick with them as can be, and she is going with them, I -s'pose!" - -"Well, I can hardly blame Zan and her chums for spending so much time -with the Brownies--they are awfully cute, you know!" responded May -Randall. - -"Besides, the work we have done according to the Manual shows that we -can go on just the same, whether the other five girls sit down and wait -for us to catch up or not," said Anne. - -"It might be better for all concerned if they fuss over the Brownies -while we do the things they all did last year, and then we can all go on -together with Woodcraft," added Frances. - -"I might have known you three girls would toady to Zan Baker and Jane -Hubert. Just because they run the show and boss us all, doesn't say they -have the right to do it. But you are afraid of them, that's why you give -in every time!" sneered Eleanor. - -"At least you will admit that we don't waste our time going about -telling tales on others and trying to make trouble for everyone!" -scorned Anne Mason, just as the Guide entered. - -Her appearance instantly changed Eleanor's attitude and she approached -Miss Miller with an ingratiating smile. The girls saw and most of them -sniffed, some even went so far as to murmur aloud: "Cat! I wish she was -out of this Tribe!" - -The Guide felt that the atmosphere was charged but she hoped to find out -the conditions without questioning, so she started the meeting, -explaining the absence of the Chief and four girls by saying: - -"They are teaching the Brownies to make gifts for Betty's birthday -party. The little ones are going to the woods to celebrate." - -That same evening, Miss Miller spoke to Zan about having the other -members of the Tribe at the Woodland Camp. - -"Oh pshaw, Miss Miller! We can't bother with a crowd of big girls when -we are just on the point of trying out this camp-experiment with the -Brownies. Those girls have enough to do with their work, and we can go -on with the Little Lodge until later." - -"Have you decided on a place for the picnic?" asked the Guide, changing -the subject. - -"We thought Eagle's Crest as good as any for just one day," replied Zan, -relieved that the other disagreeable topic was dropped. - -"Yes, it is near enough to reach it in an hour's time by autos, and -there will be plenty of birds and flowers and trees to open a mine of -Woodcraft for the Brownies." - -"Then it is settled--we will go to Eagle's Crest. And I will say that -some time, when we go to a longer camp-trip, we will ask the new -members," said Zan, apologetically, for she knew the girls of Suwanee -Band and her own new members were not receiving the true hospitality -demanded of genuine Woodcrafters. - -From this conversation, Miss Miller gathered that the five older members -were determined to have their own way with the Little Lodge, and she -planned now to avert disaster to the Tribe and yet keep them all the -best of friends. - -Hence the first out-door camp for a day with the Brownies was not -announced as a Tribe activity, but it was kept as quiet as possible, -declaring it was Betty Fullerton's birthday party and not a Tribe affair -at all. Of course the five old members felt this was downright -prevarication, but it seemed the easiest way to rid themselves of -unpleasant explanations to the other girls. - -To carry out the plan of celebrating Betty's birthday the last of May, -the girls began making gifts to exchange with the Little Lodge members. -The Brownies, too, eagerly worked on simple little presents made of -paper, paint, and raffia work. - -Of course Miss Miller was included in the picnic and she went to keep an -alert eye on the conduct and conversation of the older girls as well as -watch over the younger children. - -From a picnicker's point of view, the outing was a great success and -proved an incentive for a longer camp next time. - -On the drive back home that afternoon, Zan asked the other girls when -and where they should have the next camp. - -"We can revisit Staten Island," suggested Elena. - -"I'd rather camp nearer a house or store where we could telephone if we -need to," added Jane. - -"I met a lady this winter who has a house on the Palisades much nearer -Fort Lee Ferry than our Alpine Camp was last Fall. She has heard of your -Tribe and seemed eager to meet you. I might write and see if she knows -of a spot near there," said Miss Miller. - -"Oh do, please, and maybe we can go the first warm Friday." - -"I might add that if the weather is fine we might make a regular Tribe -camp of it and all camp over the week-end," added Miss Miller. - -The frowns and scowls that instantly showed on the faces of the five -girls plainly told the Guide that the time was not yet at hand for the -solving of the unpleasant problem. - -At the first stop, which was Miss Miller's home, Zan said: "Don't forget -that letter, Miss Miller." - -"I won't, but I must say that you girls ought to pay more attention to -individual Woodcraft interests and not so much to your delight in -playing with the Brownies. It is downright selfish of you." - -Miss Miller said good-night to them and left them wondering at her -displeased tone of voice. - -"What did you do, Zan Baker?" cried Jane, amazed. - -"I--I never did a thing to her!" said Zan half-crying with -mortification. - -"If Miss Miller is mad at us for anything I am going to ask her pardon -'cause I'd rather keep in with her than all the Woodcraft in the world!" -declared Nita. - -Which all goes to show that the five girls did not stop to consider how -deeply the Guide felt over the careless manner in which they treated the -new members of the Tribe. Possibly, had they realised the truth they -would have swung over to the opposite extreme and dropped the Brownies -to make up to the other girls to please the Guide. - -But Miss Miller finally decided to take Mrs. Remington into a secret -plan she had devised. After the letter was written to her friend on the -Palisades, she called Mrs. Remington up on the telephone and they talked -some time. When the conversation ended the plot was laid. - -The week-end camp on the Hudson River Cliffs proved to be very -entertaining, as the friend mentioned had provided the tents and -camp-kits, and the girls only had to provide food and fun. - -The Little Lodge was well started on flowers, birds, trees and other -_coups_ for Brownies, and on Sunday, the blue prints were made and -admired. Not only did the children make simple prints but the five older -Woodcrafters made several exquisite ones for their Tally Books. - -The evening before the Band broke camp, they were all seated about the -embers of the camp-fire when the Guide addressed them: - -"You girls will not have much time to give the Little Lodge after this -week--you have to study for Exams. you know." - -"Dear sakes, that's so! I tried to forget it," sighed Elena. - -"This is the last of May and preliminary examinations start the first -week of June this year," the Guide reminded. - -"I have to work up some of those last Fall studies, too," murmured -Hilda. - -"Have you thought of any plan for the Brownies while you are occupied -with lessons? I shall not be able to meet with you again or waste any -time on Woodcraft from now on till school closes," ventured Miss Miller. - -"You won't! Goodness what will we do?" asked Zan. - -"Why, do what I will do--study like mad!" retorted Jane. - -"That's what you all had better do if you expect to go on with your -class next year. You can't afford to drop behind in your school-classes -on account of these children," advised Miss Miller. - -"Maybe they'll forget all they learned from us--and maybe they'll not -want to bother with a Little Lodge if we have to leave them a whole -month," said Nita. - -"I thought of a way to handle the situation but Zan ought to arrange -about it without delay--that is, if it meets with the approval of you -all." - -"It is sure to--what is it, Miss Miller?" said the girls. - -"Ask Mrs. Remington to watch over and take charge of your Little Lodge -until school is over. She can teach them lots of good things and they -can be handed back to you in fine feather when your time is yours to -enjoy again." - -"What a dandy idea! I'll do it the moment we get home," exclaimed Zan. - -And the other girls agreed with her that the plan was great! Miss Miller -meekly looked at the fading pink ashes of the camp-fire and mentally -thanked the Watchful Spirit for a hope of peace that was held out to -Wako Tribe. - -Monday night Mrs. Remington accepted an invitation from Zan to call and -talk over Little Lodge matters, and the result was that the Brownies -were turned over to her personal charge and the Chief congratulated -herself on her tact in arranging matters so nicely for the Brownies and -for her friends. - -The following day, Tuesday, Eleanor met the Mason girls. "I hear those -five girls had a wonderful time at camp on the Palisades last week. Just -got home late Sunday night." - -"Yes, and what is more it was the last outing with their Brownies this -season. They have turned over affairs to Mrs. Remington till school -closes," retorted Anne. - -"So, you see, that doesn't look much like being so taken up with the -Little Lodge that they were jealous of us, as you intimated some time -ago," added Frances. - -Eleanor was taken by surprise as she had heard nothing of the transfer. -She said nothing more but changed the subject. - -For the month following the camp on the Palisades, every school girl was -busy with studies and examinations, and little heed was paid Woodcraft -interests. Miss Miller, too, had much extra work to do as she generally -assisted the high-school teachers in reading papers and marking -percentages for pupils. But she took time to visit the doctor one -afternoon and outline to him the fears and worries she felt over the -schism in the Tribe. - -"I am sorry to hear my girl is so thoughtless of others' rights in this -matter, but I think I can suggest a way out of further -misunderstandings," said the doctor when the Guide had concluded her -tale of trouble. - -"Oh, if you could! Your letter last Summer was so full of sensible -advice regarding Nita that I felt sure you could offer some way out of -this difficulty," said Miss Miller. - -"The last week of school--immediately after exams. are over, so the -girls will not be distracted by my plan during any important test--I -will send an invitation to every girl in Wako Tribe asking them to visit -Wickeecheokee for a camp party. Mrs. Baker is not going to take her boys -there to camp until the day following the Fourth, and the girls can have -the use of the place until that time. They can start as soon as they -wish to after school closes." - -"Oh, that is just what we need--a close companionship such as a camp at -the farm will give. Then the crisis will be passed without danger," -sighed Miss Miller, gratefully. - -"As a physician would say, 'with no fatalities to record!' and patients -all doing well!" laughed Dr. Baker. - -So it happened that the last Monday of the school-month, the hard tests -all over for the term, Miss Miller sent word by Billy Remington, that -the members of the Tribe were to meet her the next -afternoon--Tuesday--in the gymnasium. - -It seemed a long time since the girls had met and everyone was present -to hear what was the cause of the call. - -When all were present, the Guide read an invitation from the doctor, -which included every girl in the Tribe, as well as the Little Lodge -members. - -"Oh, how lovely of the doctor!" cried several voices. - -"If only it was for some other time, Miss Miller! We have company coming -to spend the Fourth," complained one of the Suwanee members. - -"And we are going to the seashore next Monday for a month!" added -another girl. - -"Well, let us only consider the reply just now--those who will not be -here to go with us, can explain later," said the Guide, fearful lest the -principal cause of the meeting be lost. - -"Oh, we'll go, of course! Who'd think of refusing?" laughed Jane. - -"Is that what everyone present thinks? Remember girls--this is for -everyone in the Tribe--not for a few," said the Guide very plainly. - -The vote showed that every girl was glad and grateful to accept the -invitation, so it was accepted and the letter handed Zan to give her -father that night. Then the individual members would have to arrange -their personal matters at home as best they could. This meeting over, -the Guide felt that she had won another victory over the subtle -temptations of evil to destroy any good work that would lift the -individual out of its power for all time. - -It finally transpired that beside the five old members and the Little -Lodge Brownies, but six of the new members could arrange to go to camp -with the Tribe. The others had promised visits to pay, or were leaving -the city with their families, for the entire Summer vacation. - -From the day the invitation was read to the day the girls planned to -start, Eleanor was very attentive to Zan, effusing over everything the -Chief did or said, until Zan grew annoyed and felt like asking her what -it was all for. - -The last day in the city, however, Eleanor met Zan on the street, and -said: "Are all the Brownies going with us?" - -"Sure! There aren't enough to go around as it is--so we couldn't spare -one, you know." - -"They are such darlings! I am so glad they will be with us!" exclaimed -Eleanor. - -"I thought you detested them. I heard that you preferred leaving our -Tribe if we continued having a Little Lodge," said Zan. - -"What! Who dared say that of me? It is false!" cried Eleanor, furious to -find she had been found out. - -"Oh, never mind who. You'll get over this, just as we get over -everything unpleasant. Stick to your present desire of being glad the -kiddies are with us, and forget the others!" - -So Zan, with all her frankness, averted an unpleasant scene with -Eleanor. But she mentioned it to the Guide who nodded and said: "Eleanor -will climb out of this mire just as Nita got out last Summer, but it -seems to cling more tenaciously to Eleanor." - -The short interval given the girls in which to prepare for the camp on -the farm, soon passed and amid a chorus of happy good-byes and some -regrets from those who remained at home, the Tribe left the city. After -several hours of motoring through the lovely country districts of New -Jersey, they reached Wickeecheokee. - -"You five girls sure were lucky to have a whole summer at this grand old -place," said a member of Suwanee Band, as she admired the old colonial -house, the ancient trees, the fine green lawns and the glimpse of -gardens back of the barns. - -"If you think this is fine, just wait till you see the Bluff and Falls -where we camp. That's something worth while!" bragged Zan, who was -pleased at the admiration from the girls. - -"The water rushes right down the mountain-side from Fiji's Cave and -falls over a great boulder into a pool below that we use for a swimming -pool," added Jane. - -"And we have a large Council Ring there, and a ready-made fire-place," -said Hilda. - -"That reminds me! We all ought to feel hungry by this time, so we could -have lunch on the lawn and start for the Bluff later, to get settled for -the night," advised the Guide. - -"I think I can eat a morsel, if coaxed hard enough," said Jane, -laughing. - -"I can eat everything in sight--even the grass," declared Billy. - -"You won't have to stoop to the meek little blades, Billy, as we brought -plenty of sandwiches and cake," said Zan. - -As they enjoyed the luncheon brought from home, Miss Miller asked: "Who -would like to visit the gardens after we're through with refreshments?" - -"Oh, yes; I can't tell an onion from a gooseberry," laughed Eleanor. - -"You ought to if you did your cookery work properly this winter," Miss -Miller reproved. - -An hour was devoted to trying to identify the many vegetables of the -garden, and at the same time, enough fruit and other things were -gathered for supper and breakfast. - -"Funny how different lettuce, radishes, beets, and other things look to -us when growing in the garden and when we have them ready served on the -dinner table," commented one of the girls. - -Then the Guide described the habits of many vegetables and explained how -they grew and should be cared for and harvested. She touched upon the -national interest taken in canning and preserving and hinted that the -Wako Girls might start a class for themselves early in the Fall. - -Bill Sherwood had erected tents and brought the cots from the cabin, so -all was ready for the Tribe when they reached the Bluff. The Council -Ring had been cleared of debris and the camp-fire place ready for -supper, so that the Guide smiled and thanked Bill for his trouble to -have everything in order for them. - -That night the girls sat star-gazing when Zan said: "We must start the -new members and the Brownies on mat weaving and willow bed making, the -first thing, Miss Miller." - -"Yes, the rushes and willows ought to be just about right this time of -year," added the Guide, delighted that Zan was taking a normal interest -in her Woodcraft again. - -So immediately after breakfast, they all started down the slope to the -Big Bridge where the reeds grew thickest and longest. In passing, the -Guide called the attention of the Brownies and new members to the trees: -Oak, hickory, maple and others were identified and described. - -Then Billy tried to show his superiority over the other Brownies, by -saying: "That is a red maple, and over there--that's a swamp maple." - -"What's this, Billy?" asked Elizabeth. - -"Oh, that's a mountain maple." - -"What was the grove we came through last night?" said she. - -"Sugar maples for maple syrup! Don't I know! I've tapped them enough -when out with Fred," giggled Billy. - -While they were all engaged in cutting rushes some of the girls gazed -about now and then. In one of these wayward glances, May saw some green -leaves growing in the brook. - -"What are they, Miss Miller?" - -"That is water-cress--would you like to gather it?" - -"Water-cress! Oh, I love it in salad!" cried May. - -"Then pull off your shoes and stockings and wade in and gather all you -want. We'll have it instead of lettuce this noon." - -Two of the girls preferred to help May gather cress as they thought they -had enough reed and rush for a mat, so by the time the cutting was done, -the three girls had a large basketful of water-cress. - -That afternoon, they began weaving mats on the looms constructed that -morning. As they were working for _coups_ they applied themselves -carefully to the work. Even the Little Lodge tried the mat weaving but -soon wearied of it. - -Eleanor took an enthusiastic interest in the mats until she found it was -tedious work and made her back ache with bending over the looms. - -"It seems so silly to waste time on this stuff when you really do not -need them or want them for anything," said she. - -"We're not weaving a doormat but working for an honour," retorted May. - -"But it is foolish--an empty honour," laughed she. - -"I never think anything foolish that creates a desire to do perfect -work, or apply yourself and overcome impatience," said Miss Miller. - -"But where's the honour come in?" insisted Eleanor. - -"It is an honour always to follow the Bible's injunction--'Whatsoever -thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'" - -"Oh, you're talking of religion--this is different," argued Eleanor, not -to be silenced. - -"Our Master felt that the two went together--honour and religion. If one -does what is honourable and right in small things he can be depended -upon for greater things, too." - -"Well, weaving grass mats won't count," scorned Eleanor, pushing at her -badly woven mat impatiently. - -"Everything counts. If you can't be patient and do a simple thing like a -grass mat how do you expect to be promoted? It is the promotion that -gains us honours but if one fails to do the best he can with anything -given to do, how can one hope to go higher in the scale of progress? - -"In Woodcraft, it is not the grass mat we weave that counts for the -_coup_ or honour, it is the general improvement in one's moral and -spiritual life that really counts. And the uplift in mental and -characteristic desires brings about the higher basis for the next step. - -"You mistake, Eleanor, when you think you are weaving grass mats or -willow beds--you are weaving qualities of thought, good or bad, and each -pattern produced only shows what thoughts, upbuilding or destructive, -you are allowing yourself to weave into the warp and woof of your future -life. And this pattern is all there is to our temporal lives, but it is -everything when we seek promotion to our eternal and spiritual life!" - -Eleanor lifted her delicate eyebrows with a disdainful manner and -pretended to stifle a yawn as she gazed away to Pine Nob. - -The Guide saw the expression of being bored but she said nothing, being -too noble a character to take offence or feel sensitive over the girl's -rudeness. The other girls had heard the short lecture and pondered -deeply as they worked. - -Miss Miller saw the thoughtful girls in one comprehensive glance, and -thanked the Great Spirit that the seed had not all fallen on barren -ground. - -Eleanor noticed the silence after a time and remarked: - -"Have you girls lost your tongues?" - -"Why-hy, no-o! I guess we were thinking." - -"Thinking--what of?" wondered she. - -"Why Miss Miller's words, to be sure. She is wonderful, that way, and we -love to hear her explain things spiritual in such a simple way. It -really makes religion attractive, I think," said Jane. - -"Now, if Jane Hubert thinks that, and she lives in the finest house -belonging to any of the girls, and she has more money than any, there -must be more to the Guide's words than I thought of. What was it she -said to me, anyway?" thought Eleanor to herself as she began pulling out -the strands she had woven into the mat. - -Then she tried to remember and in so doing she took in more of what Miss -Miller had really said than she thought possible. Even as she pondered, -she finished unravelling the mat and began over again to weave the work -correctly and neatly. - -Nita noticed this silent weaving and the thoughtful mien of Eleanor, and -she left her own loom to join the girl and tell her of her experience -while at Camp with Miss Miller the previous Summer. - -Eleanor kept her eyes upon the weaving as she listened, and when Nita -said: "I never was so contented and happy in my life as now, and it is -only because I tried to do just as Miss Miller taught and showed me to -do." - -The days passed only too quickly for the busy Woodcrafters until the day -before the Fourth. Then the Doctor telephoned just before noon and told -the Guide that the friends and families of Wako Tribe were coming down -to hold a Council on the afternoon of the Fourth. - -When this unexpected news was transmitted to the girls, such a bustle -and excitement as it created! Everyone wanted to do something fine to -show the visitors what progress had been made in the past week. - -Some of the girls went to the house to bake cake for refreshments, some -hurriedly sawed and painted crude totems to make the Council Ring appear -decorated. The Brownies thrashed through the woods gathering wild -flowers and fern, and arranging them in pails and jars of water. Mrs. -Sherwood skimmed the rich cream from several pans of milk and offered to -freeze the ice-cream. Everyone managed to get in everyone else's way, -and the merry confusion was as enjoyable as a surprise party. - -The girls expected the visitors about noon, but it was almost two -o'clock before a maddening sound reached them. - -"Good gracious! That isn't _our_ siren!" cried Jane. - -"Nor ours--and it isn't the Remingtons', either," said Zan. - -Then another terrific blast sounded from the Big Bridge, and the girls -saw three large jitneys turn in from the main road and pull up before -Bill's cottage. - -"Did you ever see such a crowd?" exclaimed May, as the visitors jumped -out and looked about. - -"'Everybody and his uncle' came, I guess!" laughed Elena. - -"And in jitneys! Isn't it a scream?" added Jane. - -As they spoke, the girls were hurrying down the slope to welcome the -friends and soon after, the Council Ring was filled and the -entertainment began. - -Nita danced, the Tribe sang, the boys had sham-battles, games were -enjoyed, and refreshments,--not the least of the fun--were quickly -disposed of and the visitors complimented the cooks. - -"I hear those jitneys calling 'Ole Black Joe,'" sang the doctor, as a -horn sounded from the foot of the slope. "But I must say my little say -before I go. And this is my speech!" - -Dr. Baker then told the girls that they, as a Tribe, were invited to -accompany Mrs. Hubert to the Adirondack Camp for the Summer. She -expected to leave the city on the following Thursday and anyone -intending to go must be ready and waiting at the car. - -This wonderful news was wildly received and the visitors were sent off -in a hurry, as the girls wanted time to consider ways and means of going -to Woodchuck Camp. - - - - -CHAPTER SIXTEEN--THE ADIRONDACK CAMP - - -When the girls returned to the city the day following the Fourth, they -heard that Mrs. Remington and Anna, the governess, were going to assist -them in Woodcraft that Summer, and incidentally look after Teddy and -Tammy, the babies of Little Lodge. - -Mrs. Baker was invited but she declined as she had already arranged to -start a boys' camp for her sons at the farm. All the members of Wako -Tribe were invited but many of them could not go, as other plans had -been made by mothers. So on the day of departure, Miss Miller, the other -ladies, and Brownies, with the five old members and some of the new -ones, boarded the express. - -It was a long wearisome ride but the wonders expected when all should -reach the mountains buoyed them up. As Zan said: "It was just like -journeying hopefully through earth's tribulations for the joy and peace -waiting in Heaven." - -It was dark when the campers reached the Huberts' place and not much -could be seen, but early in the morning every girl was out and -exclaiming at the beauty of the forest camp. The lake was a short walk -from the long cabin, and a swim was the first thing on the programme. -After that a hearty breakfast, and a hike through the woods. - -As they merrily ran hither and thither in the cool bowers of green, the -Brownies gathered flowers and leaves. Billy brought Miss Miller a sprig -of green and she cried: - -"Ha! Who knows what this is--don't tell them, Billy!" - -"Do you know--it smells like mint of some sort?" said Nita, sniffing at -the green leaves. - -"It's sassafras. The juice of these leaves flavours the chewing gum Zan -told us of in her essay," said the Guide. - -"Then it is used for candy, too," added Billy. - -"Yes, and peppermint and birch found in these woods can be used for -flavouring, too," said Mrs. Remington. - -"Did I hear you say we had all the makings of some candy the first rainy -day?" laughed Zan. - -"Having the flavouring at hand--why not?" retorted Jane, well knowing -the Brownies would take up the cry. - -Even as she turned to nudge Billy, a drop of rain splashed down upon her -face. She looked up and saw a heavy cloud sweeping over the sun and the -others turned and looked also. - -"Run everybody, or we'll have to swim back!" cried Zan. - -"Run for the house--not for the camp! Remember that sassafras candy!" -merrily shouted Jane. - -So the first day at Woodchuck Camp ended with a candy-pull and sticky -hands and faces of Wako Tribe members. - -No one could settle down to any planned Woodcraft work that first week -in the Adirondacks as the call of the forest and lake proved -irresistible. But the second week the novelty had worn off enough to -allow the girls to start some active work. - -"We must have a good cabin to hold our tools and work during the -Summer--what do you say to building one at once?" asked Miss Miller. - -"Oh, yes, let's!" replied the girls who had built the cabin at -Wickeecheokee Camp. - -"Won't it be awfully hard work?" queried Anne. - -"And so senseless when you have tents and a house near enough to place -things," added Eleanor, peevishly. "It will be more fun to swing in a -hammock and read stories." - -"One can read books in the Winter but who wants to do it in camp?" -scorned Hilda. - -"My mother sent me a box of novels and I shall take it easy and -read--you girls can do as you like," retorted Eleanor. - -Miss Miller heard the conversation and was on guard at once. "Who is -your favourite author, Eleanor?" - -"I have so many, I hardly can tell," said the girl, not aware of the -Guide's intentions to draw her out. - -"What style of book do you prefer? Travel, history, or love stories?" - -"Oh, love, to be sure! The kind that are run serially in the 'Cosmo' -Magazine. I adore them and the moment the books are out I buy them to -read again. I can devour the love scenes again and again, and enjoy -them!" sighed Eleanor, sentimentally. - -"When that box of books arrives, Eleanor, will you allow me to look them -over first?" - -"Of course you may, but I can't see why you would want to read them -first--you couldn't finish them all in a month!" laughed Eleanor. - -"I have no desire to read them, but I must see what you intend bringing -into camp. From your words, I should say the books are unworthy the -name. I have long taken up the crusade against the trash that some -magazines publish as it is unhealthy for young people. There are scores -of other periodicals just as bad but they haven't the wealth or -influence to advertise and put over their injurious reading that this -one you mention has." - -"Why, how queer you are, Miss Miller! Everyone says the authors of those -stories make fortunes out of everything written!" Eleanor defended. - -"Ah, yes! What will be their report when the Day of Accounts comes and -we each have to look at the facts bared by Truth?" sighed the Guide -walking away. - -Eleanor smiled ironically and looked at Zan. "Isn't she the funniest -thing!" - -"No, we all know Miss Miller's great ambition to provide clean wholesome -literature for young people and Dad seconds her enthusiastically in her -work. She wrote an article to the New York papers showing how subtle and -poisonous was the moral and mental perversion of the sex stories so -flagrantly advertised by publishers who only thought of gain and -notoriety. But the newspapers are not courageous enough to throw the -gauntlet down to these publishers. Some of them wrote back that the -concerns mentioned spent large sums advertising in their daily papers. -So Miss Miller has to try some other method to open the eyes of the -parents and guardians to the danger threatening young people." - -Eleanor stared at Zan and wondered, as half of it was Greek to her -understanding. Miss Miller was heard ordering the carpenters to -different duties, however, so Zan ran over to join them. - -"The Brownies can find birch bark and make the ornaments to decorate the -cabin," said Anna, as the Guide apportioned each group of girls to -tasks. - -"Moreover, they can remove the large sections of bark from this -down-timber for the girls to use on the outside of the cabin after the -posts are up," said Mrs. Remington. - -And that is how the name "Boss" began for the Guide. - -"I'll guarantee to have bark, totems, shields, and other ornaments ready -for use when the cabin needs them," added Mrs. Remington, calling the -Brownies to go with Anna and her. - -All that day the silent places of the forest resounded with sawing, -chopping and hammering, but now and then a hot and tired girl would -throw herself down on the moss to cool. - -At luncheon that day, Mrs. Remington whispered to Miss Miller: "This -work will take much of the softness out and leave them in good shape for -other sport." - -"Exactly!" replied the Guide, looking about at the hungry, eager faces -of the members. - -A call for "Boss" from Tim, who was assisting in the hauling of the -logs, interrupted further comment at that time. - -"Miss Miller, the young ladies don't want to dig a hole where the logs -will rest. I tells them they must do it to have a firm foundation. Fact, -I said, a hull cellar ought to be dug to keep the floor dry and -sweet-smellin'," said Tim. - -"Yes, a cellar must be excavated if only a foot, or two feet deep. -Otherwise the floor will soon be mouldy and damp." - -So that afternoon, the girls dug and shovelled and worked on a pit about -a foot and a half deep and as large as the floor was planned to be. The -four logs forming the foundation square were well set before the horn -sounded for rest that night. - -"Didn't the time fly?" asked May, in surprise. - -"It always does when one is pleasantly employed," added Mrs. Hubert, -complimenting the Tribe on the work accomplished. - -The next day the cross-beams of the floor were laid, and the four corner -posts erected and firmly nailed into place. At the luncheon that noon, -plans were made for the siding and roofing the cabin. That afternoon, -the ridgepole and rafters of the roof were set and the uprights of the -walls nailed in securely. When Mrs. Hubert blew the horn for "Quits" the -girls looked longingly at the skeleton of their cabin. - -"I'd like to tack a few sheets of tar paper on the outside before -stopping work," ventured Elena. - -"Not if you are a member of this union. The rest of us will strike if -you are permitted to work over-time," retorted the Guide, to the -amusement of Tim who thought the "Boss" a wonder. - -The next day the paper roofing and siding was nailed on and then the -girls began the interesting work of fitting on the great slabs of bark. -This had to be carefully done as any rough handling or nailing cracked -the sections. - -By evening the cabin was covered and looked very rustic with its forest -blanket on sides and roof. But Tim said the wide chinks between sheets -of bark must be filled in, and this must be done with plaster. - -"Where can we find any?" wondered Zan. - -"I'll show you in the morning," replied Miss Miller. - -So in the morning they went down to the shore and the Guide dug a pit -where clay was found at a depth of ten inches. This was worked well with -water until it was the proper consistency and then pailfuls of the -mortar were carried to the cabin. The Brownies acted as hod-carriers -while the girls did the mason work. Now and then a Brownie was allowed -to fill in chinks near the ground and rub it down between the bark. - -This work was great fun and was finished by noon. Then the question of -windows and door came up. - -"I have two sashes in the garage left over from the addition built to -the house last year," suggested Tim. - -"Then we will have to make real frames?" asked Jane. - -"No'm! They slides along grooves and is easier to shet when a shower -comes up. If you had pulleys and fittin's like city houses they'd always -be ketchin' and out of order," said Tim. - -So the donation of two nice windows was gratefully accepted and the -extra time saved was given to the door. This was a difficult thing to -make as real hinges and a catch had to be fitted. Before the saddle and -strike were done, the girls felt that doors were indeed an invention of -the evil one to make folks want to swear. Fingers were bruised, and -heads bumped as each girl declared _she_ could do it--it was so easy! - -But the door was finally hung--with Tim's help--and then the cabin was -ready for furniture. The Brownies had carried in all the packing cases -saved from the freight, and Mrs. Hubert had a remnant of pantasote in -the loft of the house, left from the covering of her window seats. - -While the Brownies made and painted totems and crude decorations, the -girls made and upholstered box-furniture, and in a week's time, the -cabin was ready for company. The visitors in this case consisted of Mrs. -Hubert and Tim's wife. - -"This cabin beats the one we made on the farm all to smithereens!" -exulted Zan, admiring the inside and then stepping out to compliment the -Little Lodge on the floral decorations and Woodcraft tokens they had -made. - -"We can keep all our Woodcraft stuff in here and when one of us wants to -be alone she can sit in here and read or snooze," added Jane. - -"I'll put the box of books in here and you girls can help yourselves," -said Eleanor, generously. - -"How about it--did they come?" asked Zan, curiously. - -"Tim said the box was at the station and he is going to bring it in the -morning," replied Eleanor. - -Miss Miller was right on the spot when the box was taken from the -automobile and Eleanor brought the hammer and driver to pry off the top -boards. As expected, the Guide found trashy paper novels inside and a -note from Eleanor's mother. This the girl read aloud. - - "Dear Ella: - - As you are camping where rain and dirt will spoil a good book I - bought a lot from a 10-cent store and from a second-hand shop - downtown. It won't hurt if these do get wet, so don't worry over - them. I tried to buy your favourite authors--Lila Jane Lilly is - one, isn't she? And the Dutchie another. If the other girls want - to read them, be generous and let them," - - ---- Lovingly, _Mother._" - -"Humph! I should say a thorough soaking of rain would improve these -books vastly," remarked the Guide as she gingerly turned the pages of -the first few removed from the box. "In fact, if we could soak them back -to pulp again and forever wash away the effects of the text, what a -benefaction the world would have!" - -"Are you jesting, Miss Miller?" wondered Eleanor. - -"Jesting! At such criminal thoughts as these stories implant in the -minds of adolescent girls and boys? Why, the woman who made such a -fortune out of gullible young things ought to be condemned to -purgatory--only we know there isn't such a place!" fumed the Guide, -righteously indignant. - -"I've read most of her books and I never saw anything bad. They were -grand--and full of wonderful romance!" defended Eleanor. - -"If the 'bad' was exposed your mother wouldn't have had you read them, -and your appetite would have been improved. But so subtle is the -viciousness of such stuff that you now don't want to read a sweet -wholesome story like 'Pollyanna' or similar girls' books. Do you suppose -a mortal with a craving for liquor or tobacco is satisfied with cold -water or home-made bread? So it is with a perverted appetite for sex -stories and thrills--you won't content yourself with uplifting -literature but demand more and more of the degrading kind!" - -"But these books are not sex stuff!" cried Eleanor. - -"Just as bad. And their influence is the same as that created by drink -or dope." - -As the Guide spoke she looked through the remainder of the collection -and sighed as she thought of the density of some parents. "Saving a few -pence for fine clothing, and economising on reading for their children! -Clothing the exterior with 'fine feathers,' and feeding the mind with -swill! Considering money wasted on good reasonably priced books and -squandering wholesale, the spiritual, moral, mental and physical fibre -of their children! Never sparing a thought as to the ultimate effects of -trashy books and ignoring the outcome of deteriorating sensations in the -young because they are so anxious to add to a savings account for the -future! Just as long as the book--white or yellow--(mattered not) kept -the reader occupied and quiet for a time, that the mother might finish -the extra frill on the schooldress or party costume." - -As Miss Miller concluded her excited vituperation on the prevalent -disease of contagious novels, Eleanor was too angry to reply. Finally, -however, she managed to say: - -"If you had any decent story at camp I wouldn't have sent for any books. -But I hunted that first night and couldn't see a single magazine or -book." - -"If you had sought in the house you would have found a great bookcase -full!" retorted Jane, angry at implied oversight. - -"We-el, yes, I saw them afterward. While I was waiting for my box to -come, I read a few," admitted Eleanor. - -"Well, what was it--did you like 'em?" asked Zan. - -"Oh, I found one called 'The Right Princess' and another by the same -author 'The Opened Shutters,' that were pretty good for kid stories," -said Eleanor, as if in apology. - -"Kid story! Well, there are more grown-ups and parents enjoy those kind -of books than kids, let me tell you!" said Jane. - -"And you will find many more such books in that case, too, Eleanor," -added Mrs. Hubert. - -"Yes, I noticed them. I thought I would start and read them if these -didn't get here soon. I did begin one last night!" confessed Eleanor. - -"I wish you would read them instead of these and permit me to return -these at once. I cannot have them in camp at all!" said Miss Miller. - -It spoke well for Eleanor's salvation and improvement that she agreed -willingly to send back the books. But she hesitated to admit that she -had found many books in the Hubert's bookcase far more interesting than -the paper-covered novels she had feasted upon hitherto. - -The daily and hourly effect of associating with the right kind of girls, -and hearing good and constructive ideas, were making an impression on -this character so like many girls who are not aware of their -short-comings. And the change was being remarked by those about her. - -Miss Miller was too wise a Guide to draw attention to the efforts of the -girl to be obliging and truthful like those about her, but she was -careful to encourage and help Eleanor in every way she could. - -As is fully told in the book written for the Little Woodcrafters, the -girls spent July and August in happy Woodcraft ways, and by the end of -August not only were results apparent in objects made, but the -cheerfulness and health of the Tribe proved how contented and enjoyable -had been the weeks at Woodchuck Camp. - -Then came a letter from the Doctor saying that the men of the families -planned to drive the cars to the mountains and spend Labour Day with the -Tribe. Mrs. Baker and her camp of boys expected to come in the doctor's -car. - -"Miss Miller, we want a Grand Council if they are all coming here. Why -not invite other friends?" said Zan. - -"The ride is too expensive by train, and few have cars, you must -remember," said the Guide. - -"Well, then, let's get up some new dances or games, anyway," suggested -Nita. - -"Humph! That isn't the same as having company!" grumbled Zan. But the -spirit of entertaining replaced any feeling of complaint, and the girls -were soon at work devising ways and means for a Woodcraft programme. - -That evening Miss Miller took Zan and Nita aside and had a confidential -talk with them. From the expression of their faces the secret was most -pleasing, and during the mornings and evenings preceding Labour Day, the -two girls were up in Huberts' loft working on the secret plan. Miss -Miller, too, was seen only at intervals, and it was found that a farmer -from the village ten miles down the mountain-side had brought several -young turkeys with the feathers still on. Then Billy found the feathers -gone and the birds cooked for sandwiches, but where were those feathers? - -The afternoon before the arrival of the visitors, when the Tribe had -been called together to pronounce judgment on a new dance, Miss Miller -began playing a mandolin. As the waltz sounded two figures came from the -cabin. They represented Mr. and Mrs. Eagle. It was Zan and Nita dressed -in the Eagle Dancer's Dress ready to do the Eagle Dance. - -The head-dress and edges of the dresses were bordered with the missing -turkey feathers, and an edging of down as well as feathers wherever they -could be artistically placed, made the two costumes most striking and -gorgeous. - -Then began the dance. The two eagles circled about each other in a -fluttering courtship. Mr. Eagle summoned courage enough to advance while -Mrs. Eagle coyly retreated, and back and forth both danced and circled -until finally Mrs. Eagle bashfully consented to accept the gallant's -attentions. Then he flew over to her side and as she turned to flee once -more, Mr. Eagle enfolded her in his wings and they danced away with -heads together. - -The entire dance was very well done, and the admiring audience applauded -loudly for an encore, but Miss Miller said: - -"No, I just wanted to see what you thought of it before it was danced -to-morrow. The Eagle Dance, done by the Zuni or Hopi Indian men, is much -more energetic but Nita makes a very good gallant, I think, and Zan a -demure and willing lady-love." - -"Indeed they do, and what is more, I want to get a picture of the -costume. Zan, will you pose by that tree while I snap you?" said Mrs. -Remington. - -"And let me add: Nita and Zan can claim a coup for that dancing -costume," said the Guide. - -The Little Lodge had become so imbued with the ambitions of the Big -Lodge, that they, too, worked hard to present their claims for -admiration. Tally Books were pasted up, bugs and butterflies, moths and -grasses, birds' nests and leaves, twigs, rush and reed specimens were -arranged on a rustic table for exhibition. This kept the children busy -and out of the way of the girls who bustled about preparing camp for the -Grand Council. - -That week-end was perfect and word reached the village hotel Saturday -morning that a number of autos filled with guests would need -accommodations over Sunday and Labour Day. The unusual news speedily -circulated and when the Doctor's party rode through the sleepy little -place every villager was out and curiously watching the sight. All those -city folks at the hotel at the same time! What would poor Mr. Haskins -do--and his wife laid up with asthma so's you could hear her wheeze away -down the lane! - -Leaving the luggage at the "hotel," the visitors continued to the camp -ten miles further on. Here they met a noisy welcome, and soon were -seated under the pines telling the story of their trip. - -"Now then," concluded the doctor, "if this Tribe doesn't appreciate our -sacrifices to enable us to assist at this Council, I shall forever after -wash my hands of them." - -"If you haven't any vessel larger than the tin basin in our hotel -bed-room, your hands will not be washed very well!" laughed Mrs. Baker. - -Everyone laughed, too, for most of the campers knew of the hotel which -was no more than an elongated farm-house with a lean-to added at one end -for a "ristrant." This addition was politely called "The Annex." - -"It's a wonder Mr. Haskins found beds for you all!" added Mrs. Hubert, -chuckling at reminiscences. - -"He didn't!" retorted Fiji. "He dragged some husk-mattresses into the -low attic above the 'guest rooms' and told us boys we had to sleep -there. I have to wash at the pump 'cause he hasn't enough basins to go -round!" - -"There's the lake--don't draw on the limited supply of rain-water from -the pump!" laughed Mrs. Remington. - -In spite of quarters and accommodations at the "hotel," however, the -visiting party declared they had never had a better time than this -Labour Day Council Meeting. - -The lake offered many exciting sports, swimming and fishing not the -least of them. The hiking, Councils, games, and other diversions of -camp-life filled every moment till the early morning after Labour Day -when everyone had to rush madly about to pick up articles over-looked in -the hasty packing of baggage, for the girls and Miss Miller were to ride -back in the cars with the visitors. - -When they were gone, and the Brownies went to say good-bye to the lake -and camp-grounds, Mrs. Hubert turned to Mrs. Remington and said: - -"Well, I guess they had a good time at this camp?" - -"They certainly did--a glorious Summer and filled with good work," -replied Mrs. Remington. - -"When I think of Paul over-coming his whining ways, your little Teddy -more considerate of his little friends, Tammy losing his dependence on -others, Betty not half so shy, Billy and Edith eager to help others -instead of enjoying themselves, I say, God bless the Brownies," sighed -Mrs. Hubert, gratefully. - -"But you've said not a word about the Big Lodge! How about Eleanor -Wilbur? Did you ever see such wonderful improvement in anyone? And our -boys, too. Mrs. Baker certainly deserves unlimited thanks for the way -they show camp training. Then there are those new members, and our five -old ones--perhaps you and I show the general uplift the others do, too!" -said Mrs. Remington, smilingly. - -"I may not show it but I feel it," responded Mrs. Hubert. - -"Who can help being 'born again' with the simple life in grand old -forests near a lake of pure water? Nature is the Wonder Worker in -selfish, morbid, erroneous characters, and the marvel grows as each one -rises higher and reaches out for God unconsciously until he arrives at a -resting-place. Then the mist disappears and he catches a glimpse of the -glories of the wide horizon's promised Heaven." - -At the last words, the key clicked in the front door and the two ladies -turned to join the rest of the party who were following Tim toward the -large touring-car waiting at the end of the woodland path. - - - THE END - - - ---- - -*This Isn't All!* - -Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in -this book? - -Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and -experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author? - -On the _reverse side_ of the wrapper which comes with this book, you -will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same -store where you got this book. - -*Don't throw away the Wrapper* - -Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But in -case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete catalog. - - ---- - -GIRL SCOUTS SERIES - -By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - -Author of the "Polly Brewster Books" - -Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated - -Each Volume Complete in Itself. - -Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the Tom -Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are delightful stores -of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful surroundings and are filled with -stirring adventures. - -GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP - -This is a story which centers around the making and the enjoying of a -mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively troop of Girl Scouts. The -charm of living in the woods, of learning woodcraft of all sorts, of -adventuring into the unknown, combine to make a busy and an exciting -summer for the girls. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS - -New scenery, new problems of camping, association with a neighboring -camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip with them through the Fulton -Chain, all in the setting of the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the -girls enlargement of horizon, new development, and new joys. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES - -On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as the Continental -Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails, canoeing through canyons, -shooting rapids, encountering a landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand -storm, wild animals, and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with -unforgettable experiences. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO - -The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona and New -Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe trail, cross the Painted -Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon. Their exciting adventures form a -most interesting story. - -GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS - -The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California and -incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion picture director in -Hollywood to offer to produce a film that stars the Girl Scouts of -America. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP. _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES - -By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY - -Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and -Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips to -various places in the United States, Europe and South America. - - POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT - POLLY AND ELEANOR - POLLY IN NEW YORK - POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD - POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE - POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE - POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA - POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST - POLLY IN ALASKA - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES - -By LAURA LEE HOPE - -Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc. - -Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several -bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE; - Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE; - Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR; - Or, The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP; - Or, Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA; - Or, Wintering in the Sunny South. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW; - Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND; - Or, A Cave and What it Contained. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE; - Or, Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE; - Or, Doing Their Best For the Soldiers. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT; - Or, A Wreck and A Rescue. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE; - Or, The Hermit of Moonlight Falls. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE; - Or, The Girl Miner of Gold Run. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE; - Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains. - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD; - Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock. - - ---- - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS - -By LAURA LEE HOPE - -Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by THELMA GOOCH - -Every Volume Complete in Itself - -The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. -Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while -Margy just out of a business school, obtained a position as a private -secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and businesslike, took what she called -a "job" in a department store. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE; Or, Facing the Great World. - -A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE; Or, The Worth of a Name. - -The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left an unusual -inheritance. This tale continues the struggles of all the girls for -existence. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM; Or, Face to Face With a Crisis. - -Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day faced with -the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery as well as exciting -girlish happenings. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER; Or, The Girl From Bronx Park. - -Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl, whose -real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the girl really -was comes as a tremendous surprise. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION; Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm. - -The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks--and fall -in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings. How they came to -the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a queer mystery, is well -related. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS - -Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed -herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that -Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment, -while still at high school, she took charge of the woman's page for a -city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that -she left school to take entire charge of the woman's page for the -largest daily in an important Eastern city. - -Mrs. Garis turned to girls' books directly after her marriage, and of -these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies them and -depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic. - - BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR'S DAUGHTER - BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE - GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD - GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL - JOAN: JUST GIRL - JOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE - CONNIE LORING'S AMBITION - CONNIE LORING'S DILEMMA - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS - -Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. - -THE MARJORIE BOOKS - -Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of -goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will -see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure. - - MARJORIE'S VACATION - MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS - MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND - MARJORIE IN COMMAND - MARJORIE'S MAYTIME - MARJORIE AT SEACOTE - -THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES - -Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a -little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, -high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes. - - TWO LITTLE WOMEN - TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE - TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY - -THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS - -Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, -their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories -"really true" to young readers. - - DICK AND DOLLY - DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS - -By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE - -Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by WALTER S. -ROGERS - -A new line of fascinating tales for little girls. Honey Bunch is a -dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to take her to your -heart at once. - -HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL - -Happy days at home, helping mamma and the washerlady. And Honey Bunch -helped the house painters too--or thought she did. - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY - -What wonderful sights Honey Bunch saw when she went to visit her cousins -in New York! And she got lost in a big hotel and wandered into a men's -convention! - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM - -Can you remember how the farm looked the first time you visited it? How -big the cows and horses were, and what a roomy place to play in the barn -proved to be? - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE - -Honey Bunch soon got used to the big waves and thought playing in the -sand great fun. And she visited a merry-go-round, and took part in a -sea-side pageant. - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN - -It was great sport to dig and to plant with one's own little garden -tools. But best of all was when Honey Bunch won a prize at the flower -show. - -HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP - -It was a great adventure for Honey Bunch when she journeyed to Camp -Snapdragon. It was wonderful to watch the men erect the tent, and more -wonderful to live in it and have good times on the shore and in the -water. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE RIDDLE CLUB BOOKS - -By ALICE DALE HARDY - -Individual Colored Wrappers. Attractively Illustrated. - -Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -Here is as ingenious a series of books for little folks as has ever -appeared since "Alice in Wonderland." The idea of the Riddle books is a -little group of children--three girls and three boys decide to form a -riddle club. Each book is full of the adventures and doings of these six -youngsters, but as an added attraction each book is filled with a lot of -the best riddles you ever heard. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB AT HOME - -An absorbing tale that all boys and girls will enjoy reading. How the -members of the club fixed up a clubroom in the Larue barn, and how they, -later on, helped solve a most mysterious happening, and how one of the -members won a valuable prize, is told in a manner to please every young -reader. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB IN CAMP - -The club members went into camp on the edge of a beautiful lake. Here -they had rousing good times swimming, boating and around the campfire. -They fell in with a mysterious old man known as The Hermit of Triangle -Island. Nobody knew his real name or where he came from until the -propounding of a riddle solved these perplexing questions. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS - -This volume takes in a great number of winter sports, including skating -and sledding and the building of a huge snowman. It also gives the -particulars of how the club treasurer lost the dues entrusted to his -care and what the melting of the great snowman revealed. - -THE RIDDLE CLUB AT SUNRISE BEACH - -This volume tells how the club journeyed to the seashore and how they -not only kept up their riddles but likewise had good times on the sand -and on the water. Once they got lost in a fog and are marooned on an -island. Here they made a discovery that greatly pleased the folks at -home. - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - ---- - -THE JERRY TODD SERIES - -By LEO EDWARDS - -Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers For Each Story - -Every Volume Complete in Itself - -Detective stories for boys! - -Jerry Todd and his trusty pals solve many a baffling mystery in their -home town, much to the amusement of all who read of their adventures. - -JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY - -Having been duly appointed "Juvenile Jupiter Detectives" Jerry Todd and -his trusty pals little realize how fast things are going to happen. -First comes the amazing adventure in the museum in Tutter College. Did -the mummy actually whisper? And did it later vanish of its own accord? - -JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE-COLORED CAT - -Cats by the dozens; cats by the hundreds; and most important of all, a -mysterious five-hundred dollar rose-colored cat. Then comes the -lamentable accident to Lady Victoria's aristocratic tail; the operation; -the overdose of chloroform; the funeral. There is a laugh on every page. - -JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE - -Jerry Todd and his pals set themselves up in the show business by -transforming a disused clay scow of Mr. Todd's into a floating theatre. -And a very wonderful show it is! Certainly it leads the boys into -exceptional adventures. - -JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN - -That strange hen? Why does it waltz? And what is the secret of the -prowling peril? Then, even as the Hindu had earlier died so quickly and -mysteriously, the boys' old friend disappears. Then comes the final -ludicrous climax. - -JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG - -Jerry Todd and his chums leagued together to help another boy save a -peculiar invention of his father's, a talking frog, from thieving -hands,--wait breathlessly in the lonely brick house where the puzzle -maker had met with such a strange death. Fun and mystery here! - -GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY -*** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35600 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a -registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, -unless you receive specific permission. 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