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padding-top: 1px } + + .coverpage, .titlepage, + .contents, .foreword, .preface, .introduction, .dedication, .prologue, + .epilogue, .appendix, .glossary, .bibliography, .index, .colophon, + .footnotes, + .cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 1px } + + .vfill { margin-top: 20% } + h2.title { margin-top: 20% } +} +</style> +<style type="text/css"> +.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; } +.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.toc-pageref { float: right } +pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 35600 ***</div> +<div class="document" id="the-woodcraft-girls-in-the-city"> +<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY</h1> +</div> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<div class="container" id="pg-produced-by"> +<p class="noindent pfirst">Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at <a class="reference external" href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>.</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 27%; width: 46%" id="figure-7"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-fpc.jpg" src="images/wood-fpc.jpg" width="100%"/> +<div class="caption italics"> +DECORATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL.</div> +</div> +<!-- - - -File: 003.png --> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost"> +<div class="line"><span class="x-large">The</span></div> +<div class="line"><span class="x-large">Woodcraft Girls</span></div> +<div class="line"><span class="x-large">in the City</span></div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">BY</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">AUTHOR OF</div> +<div class="line"><span class="smaller">THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP,</span></div> +<div class="line"><span class="smaller">LITTLE WOODCRAFTER’S BOOK,</span></div> +<div class="line"><span class="smaller">THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS, Etc.</span></div> +</div> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 46%; width: 7%"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-emb.png" src="images/wood-emb.png" width="100%"/> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost"> +<div class="line">ILLUSTRATED</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">NEW YORK</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">GROSSET & DUNLAP</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">PUBLISHERS</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">COPYRIGHT, 1918,</div> +<div class="line">BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</div> +</div> +<!-- - - -File: 005.png --> +<p class="pfirst">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 <em class="italics">Christian Science Sentinel</em> +for “Items of Interest,” and to other friends who +co-operated to make this book interesting to young +readers.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 007.png --> +<div class="contents level-2 section" id="id1"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">Contents</h2> +<ul class="toc-list"> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-onecamping-in-the-city" id="id2">CHAPTER ONE—CAMPING IN THE CITY</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-twothe-new-members" id="id3">CHAPTER TWO—THE NEW MEMBERS</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-threeheard-in-the-scenic-forest" id="id4">CHAPTER THREE—HEARD IN THE “SCENIC FOREST”</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-fourthe-eskimo-indian-legend" id="id5">CHAPTER FOUR—THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-fivea-prize-chest" id="id6">CHAPTER FIVE—A PRIZE CHEST</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-sixthe-lost-campers" id="id7">CHAPTER SIX—THE LOST CAMPERS</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-sevencamping-sports-of-a-week-end" id="id8">CHAPTER SEVEN—CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-eightquiet-ways-for-sunday" id="id9">CHAPTER EIGHT—QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-ninea-rainy-week-end-camp" id="id10">CHAPTER NINE—A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-tenin-falling-leaf-moon" id="id11">CHAPTER TEN—IN FALLING LEAF MOON</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-elevencamp-at-alpine-falls" id="id12">CHAPTER ELEVEN—CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-twelvea-birthday-council-on-hallow-een" id="id13">CHAPTER TWELVE—A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-thirteenindoor-woodcraft-entertainment" id="id14">CHAPTER THIRTEEN—INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-fourteenwinter-woodcraft-work" id="id15">CHAPTER FOURTEEN—WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-fifteensome-week-end-camps" id="id16">CHAPTER FIFTEEN—SOME WEEK-END CAMPS</a></span></li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-sixteenthe-adirondack-camp" id="id17">CHAPTER SIXTEEN—THE ADIRONDACK CAMP</a></span></li> +</ul> +</div> +<!-- - - -File: 009.png --> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-onecamping-in-the-city"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id2">CHAPTER ONE—CAMPING IN THE CITY</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“Girls—guess what?” exclaimed Zan Baker, a +few days after the return of the Woodcraft +Band from their summer camp on Wickeecheokee +Farm.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Goodness only knows what you have to tell now!” +laughed Jane Hubert, another of the five girls who +founded Wako Tribe.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll illustrate Zan’s books,” quickly added Elena +Marsh, the fifth member of the Woodcrafters.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sort of shine in my reflected glory, eh?” laughed +Zan, good-naturedly, for all the girls enjoyed this +form of badinage.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Girls, girls! This isn’t hearing the ‘wextry’ news +Zan holds cornered! Give her a chance, won’t you?” +begged Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“When is the party?” eagerly questioned her +hearers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller can count on me being there right +on time!” declared Jane, with a determined bob of +her head.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Me too!” added Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It isn’t likely Hilda and I are going to be absent,” +laughed Elena.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 011.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Immediately after the bell rang to announce the +visitors, the door was opened and a cheery voice called, +“Come right in, girls.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I didn’t either. I just gasped all night for some +air,” added Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">coups</em> for sleeping out-of-doors +for the required number of nights,” said the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh do tell us what it is?” cried Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It must take its place in the order of business,” +rejoined Miss Miller; “now let us open Council in +the regular way, girls.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Does the bread-board signify anything?” laughed +Jane, the tease of the group.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 014.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought you wanted us to settle the matter before +the new members join us to-night?” returned +Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And Eleanor Wilbur wants to join us,” said Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mildred Howell told Fiji to tell me not to forget +and propose her,” ventured Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I know that Ethel Clifford wants to belong +to our first Band,” added Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well girls, you each have your new member to +win a <em class="italics">coup</em>, 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 <em class="italics">coup</em>,” +said Hilda, whose mother was a trained nurse, thus +letting most of the care of the home fall upon Hilda’s +shoulders.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She told me that that is why she wants to see +you,” said Jane.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 016.png --> +<p class="pnext">“That is very considerate of May Randall,” commended +Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and it recommends her for membership,” +added Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But there are loads of other girls who want to +join us, Miss Miller,” objected Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How long will we have to wait before we can be +a Tribe?” asked Nita, petulantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If this experiment with the new members turns +out well by Christmas, I should think we might start +the second Band,” replied Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Goodness, can’t we start a Tribe before that?” +cried Jane, impatiently.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, as usual, Miss Miller wins the day! Her +reasons are as sensible as helpful,” commented Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good-by Suwanee, I’ll meet you next year!” +sighed Zan, wafting a kiss with the tips of her fingers +to an imaginary Band.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If a simple little symbolic name like that stumps +you, Miss Miller, what will happen when you join +the Blackfeet Tribe?” laughed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">As Zan explained, the Guide shook her head as if +to admit that it certainly had been buried far beyond +her power to dig.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But it sounds pretty, girls,” said she finally.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mayhap we will have an improvement on that +name before the Band comes into existence, who +knows!” sighed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The sooner we start with the new members, then, +the quicker we will know about the second Band,” +retorted Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Shall we vote now to invite the six girls mentioned?” +asked Elena with Tally Book ready to +inscribe the names.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 019.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Now Miss Miller, if there is nothing else to consider +let us hear about your idea for a camp in the +city,” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller! Do tell us what you did?” exclaimed +the curious girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh!” sounded the surprised five girls.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 020.png --> +<p class="pnext">“You must have slept like a multi-millionaire on +his sea-going yacht,” laughed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I did, and without fear of going to the bottom +by a torpedo from a submarine,” retorted Miss +Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I could use the rear porch that opens from our +dining-room windows,” added Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The others shouted with merriment at the idea of +big muscular Hilda swinging from a fire-escape over +the street.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 021.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Proceed, fair lady, and we will hold our peace,” +said Jane, giggling.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s great!” exclaimed Zan, enthusiastically.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not for me,” grumbled Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Maybe so; Papa said he would do anything on +earth to have me keep up this Woodcraft stunt,” admitted +Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Zan, do you think your father will object if we +send to Bill for those small tents?” now asked Miss +Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The public will think Dr. Baker has opened a +Sanatorium,” laughed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Or a Fresh Air Clinic for Flat-Dwellers!” added +Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">The others laughed provokingly when they saw Zan +flush for they all liked to tease her.</p> +<p class="pnext">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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“One for Nita, one for Elena, and one for me—and +of course Zan wants one,” said Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But Zan, I haven’t a place to camp,” said Hilda, +dolefully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then I s’pose you’ll have to borrow some of my +roof,” returned Zan, in a matter-of-fact voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the way home that evening, however, Eleanor +Wilbur whispered to Frances and Anne Mason who +were walking with her:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But Zan Baker is the Chief of the Band and has +to take the lead in Tribal affairs,” explained Anne.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Miss Miller, I have the loveliest camp-ground!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Better than the fire-escape?” laughed the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“To say nothing of enjoying a continuation of +Woodcraft out-of-doors right in a great city,” added +Jane.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 027.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-twothe-new-members"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id3">CHAPTER TWO—THE NEW MEMBERS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What about those small logs of wood we worked +at so hard to bark and smooth down?” asked Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Aren’t they quite good enough as they are?” said +Eleanor Wilbur, pushing at one of the logs with a +slender foot.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">I</em> say we use +the mats until we have the thick logs ready to present +the Lodge,” explained Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Girls—I have an idea!” cried Elena, the artistic.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hold fast to it or it’ll get away from you,” +taunted Hilda, jokingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“S-sh!” said Zan. “Let her go, Lena.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Couldn’t we place our dish of smoking tinder +inside it and make the artifice still better?” asked +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh I say!” shouted Zan with such emphasis that +everyone jumped, and the speaker laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where’s that red tissue paper we had for Decoration +Day trimming of the school auditorium?” asked +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You’ll find it in the property-room with the other +stuff,” replied Elena, who had charge of decorations +at school.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We’ll line the inside of the logs and when the +fire shines through, make it look like a big blaze, eh?” +asked Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll run and see if the janitor is around. Will he +do it, do you think, Miss Miller?” came from Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think so, he is very obliging, you know,” replied +the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I’ll get the paper,” remarked Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">This done, four candles were placed at the fire—one +at each corner of the square to denote the four +corners of the earth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Everything ready now for Council?” asked Zan, +looking around at the members.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 030.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Everything we can think of,” responded Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">Zan finished reading and looked up to ask: “Is +that all you want me to read, Miss Miller?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘To qualify for a Big Lodge—that is, to enter +as a Wayseeker—one must:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Be over twelve years of age.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Know the twelve Laws and state the advantages +of them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Take one of the initiations.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Be voted in unanimously by other members of +the group.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘The next higher rank is that of Pathfinder,’” +read Zan.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 032.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">As Zan concluded, the experienced Woodcrafters +cried: “How! How!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The new members looked at each other for the +answer and the Guide continued to explain:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish to goodness we girls could have been there +with you,” sighed Anne Mason.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">1. Silence.</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">2. Keep Good-natured.</em> Keep absolutely unruffled +for one day of twelve hours, giving a smiling answer +to all.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">3. Exact Obedience.</em> 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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 035.png --> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article</em>, such as a +basket, a bench, a bed, a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">5. Sleep out</em>, without a built roof overhead, for +three nights consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">The six girls raised six hands and then looked at +each other sheepishly because the word “How” +seemed so meaningless to them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I forgot to explain that this word ‘How’ means +‘yes’ or ‘thanks’ or ‘approval,’” hastily added the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then all said “How!” and the other five girls felt +that their new members were doing fine work.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while +we are at it?” asked Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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—.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with +the meeting.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new +members:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘<em class="italics">1. Be Brave.</em> Courage is the noblest of all gifts.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">2. Be Silent</em>, while your elders are speaking and +otherwise show them deference.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">3. Obey.</em> Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcraft +Girl.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">4. Be Clean.</em> Both yourself and the place you live in.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">5. Understand and respect your body.</em> It is the +temple of the Spirit.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">6. Be a friend of all harmless wild life.</em> Conserve +the woods and flowers, and especially be ready to fight +wild-fire in forest or in town.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">7. Word of Honour is sacred.</em></p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">8. Play Fair.</em> Foul play is treachery.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">9. Be Reverent.</em> Worship the Great Spirit and respect +all worship of Him by others.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">10. Be Kind.</em> Do at least one act of unbargaining +service every day.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">11. Be Helpful.</em> Do your share of the work.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">12. Be Joyful.</em> Seek the joy of being alive.’</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 037.png --> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo +Omnee-chee-yaynee-chopi.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“How! How!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">After this Zan read again from the Manual:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the Lamp of Fortitude are these:</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Be Brave.</em> For fear is the foundation of all ill; unflinchingness +is strength.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Be Silent.</em> It is harder to keep silence than to speak +in hour of trial, but in the end it is stronger.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Obey.</em> For Obedience means self-control, which is the +sum of the law.</p> +<p class="pnext">And these are the Rays from Beauty’s Lamp:</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Be Clean.</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Understand and Respect Your Body.</em> It is the temple +of the Spirit, for without health can neither strength +nor beauty be.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Protect All Harmless Wild-life</em> for the joy its beauty +gives.</p> +<p class="pnext">And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth:</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred.</em> This is the +law of truth, and anyone not bound by this cannot +be bound; and truth is wisdom. +<em class="italics">Play Fair.</em> For fair play is truth and foul play is +treachery.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">And these are the Rays in the Blazing Lamp of +Love:</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Be Kind.</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Be Helpful.</em> Do your share of the work for the glory +that service brings, for the strength one gets in serving.</p> +<p class="pnext"><em class="italics">Be Joyful.</em> 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.’“</p> +<p class="pnext">Zan concluded reading the interesting words of +Woodcraft meaning and the girls murmured “How!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Frances Mason is the first applicant,” said Miss +Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Frances, is it your serious desire to become a +member of this Woodcraft Band?” questioned the +Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is,” replied Frances, trying hard to keep from +crying out as Eleanor pinched her leg.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I s’pose you are doing that to advertise your +club,” remarked Eleanor, unpleasantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why how ridiculous of you to give yourself such +airs, Zan Baker! Anyone would think this was business +and not fun!” jeered Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It <em class="italics">is</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now before we adjourn, is there any request to +be made in behalf of the Band?” asked the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief! I wish to ask a question,” said Nita, +standing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Speak, O Sister!” replied Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not that we need an incentive for that!” laughed +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">The others grinned and Elena frowned momentarily. +“Don’t you think it a good plan?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have you figured out how much this may cost +us, Nita?” asked the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No because I don’t know how large we may +need it. But any cheap cotton goods will do, you +know.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller, we might find out about that,” said +Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The new members can begin first lessons in carpentry, +too,” added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Anyway it will do no harm to get prices on stuff +and the necessary paint,” said Zan, and it was so +decided.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But it will be a ‘corner in wood,’” added Zan, +facetiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Wah! Wah!” instantly sounded from every old +Woodcrafter present. The new members looked about +for an explanation.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘How’ is the term for approval and ‘Wah!’ for +disapproval, or no,” explained the Guide, smiling at +the reception given Zan’s wit.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 045.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Corner or not, that last suggestion is all right!” +declared Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose such common commodities as clothes-pins +would be spurned by Indians,” ventured Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I should say ‘double yes’!” retorted Zan, slangily.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This time it was the fault of Hilda’s clothes-pins,” +laughed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well anyway, clothes-pins are made of forest +stuff and curtain pins are not!” defended Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right, Miss Miller, you do that and we will +attend to the rest,” added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose two white-wash brushes ought to be +better to paint with than camels-hair No. 0,” laughed +Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 047.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-threeheard-in-the-scenic-forest"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id4">CHAPTER THREE—HEARD IN THE “SCENIC FOREST”</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Isn’t that Woodcraft foolishness a perfect +scream?” said Eleanor, jeeringly.</p> +<p class="pnext">May looked at her companion with surprise. “A +scream! Why don’t you think it is splendid?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">May made no reply but she looked at her companion, +and Eleanor, glancing at her as she concluded, read +May’s thoughts.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 049.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which one?” asked Martha Wheaton, curiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why—no! I thought she was enjoying herself +immensely. I’ll go and ask her if she intends to drop +out,” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hey, there, Ella! Wait a minute—I want to see +you!” called Zan, running after the girl who was +making for the doorway.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What do you want? I’m going in to study!” +snapped Eleanor, fearing Zan meant to find fault with +her about May Randall.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 051.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was not the <em class="italics">real</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Of all the people who knew Eleanor well, Miss +Miller was about the only one who studied the girl +and understood the <em class="italics">chemicalisation</em>, 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And did you finish the uprights so we can hang +the duck?” asked Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Everything is back in the corner where we decided +to have our forest,” replied Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You’ve got the trees upside-down!” laughed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No I haven’t! That’s the way Nita painted this +piece,” retorted Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s so! I never thought of that. We will have +to omit one whole side at times, won’t we?” responded +Elena,</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 056.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">The girls all laughed but Nita complained pathetically:</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you girls <em class="italics">knew</em> 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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now you’ve all joshed Nita and me quite enough—let’s +proceed with the Council,” said Elena, looking +beseechingly toward Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">After the Tally of the last meeting had been read +and other business disposed of, Miss Miller said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is there any particular work you girls plan to do +this coming week?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“As this is the last week of September, we haven’t +any too much time, either,” added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Elena, make a note in your Tally that Nita will +find us some new dancing songs before next Council,” +replied Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief!” now spake Hilda. “When we broke +camp for the Summer we were all quite keen to win +<em class="italics">coups</em> 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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 +<em class="italics">coups</em>,” advised Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why can’t you old members wait a little while +and give us new members time to win the flower, star, +and tree <em class="italics">coups</em> such as you earned at Camp this Summer?” +asked Frances Mason.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 060.png --> +<p class="pnext">It read: “Begin some object in carpentry using +own designs and material, suitable to claim a <em class="italics">coup</em> +with all provisions met.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And I happen to know that she received a package +of books from the Smithsonian Institution at Washington,” +added Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How! How!” chorused the other girls, so the +Guide felt called upon to contribute her share to the +Council meeting.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I really had planned something so different from +this, that I must have a moment in which to think,” +murmured the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, at least tell us what your plan was and let +us judge of its merits,” declared Zan, coaxingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 061.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-fourthe-eskimo-indian-legend"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id5">CHAPTER FOUR—THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“This myth is told by the Sea Lion-town People +from Alaska and is called, ‘A Tale of a Red +Feather,’” began Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The latter idea seemed to take hold of the children +and they cried ‘We want it if it fell from the Happy +Hunting Grounds.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 065.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“One day, the eldest lad inquired: ‘Mother, why +lies yonder village so empty?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And the boy asked: ‘Where is the ball, mother?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 +<em class="italics">skîtq! a’-ig. ādAñ</em> in the tree where it grows.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 066.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“And the sister cried: ‘Be a man! Be strong and +I will save you!’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then immediately after it came the nine brothers +who were not hurt for red feather had lost its magic +to hurt any more.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!’”</p> +<p class="pnext">As Miss Miller concluded the story the Woodcrafters +cried “How! How!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What a strange story—it sounds almost like an +allegory with a deep meaning,” said Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller,” came from Zan warningly, “remember—I +too have that book from the Smithsonian!”</p> +<p class="pnext">The Guide laughed. “Well, what if you have?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief! I move that you tell us what evil deed +the Guide has forced upon us!” cried Jane, watching +the two eagerly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ha! the medicine worked quickly, sistern!” +laughed Zan, seating herself.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 071.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Then little sister called upon her mother for help, +and together they made medicine and then called upon +the birds to help.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now little sister took the berry and wherever it +touched ice or sleet or snow, the frozen magic melted +and left off being.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Left alone, the children walked about enjoying +the novel sights, until one of the boys saw a <em class="italics">djo’lgi</em> +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 +<em class="italics">djo’lgi</em> had not done anything to merit this cruelty.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“As they walked, they came to a house where a +woman stood looking anxiously about as if in search +for someone.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The children drew near and she said: ‘Have you +seen my child playing about?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“And they answered: ‘We saw nothing but a +<em class="italics">djo’lgi</em> and it we killed.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But little sister had had nothing to do with the +killing of the <em class="italics">djo’lgi</em> 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 <em class="italics">djo’lgi</em> 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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“The boy did as sister told him, and when he was +outside the smoke-hole he flew about heaven until he +found Blue Jay.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So medicine was rubbed on the <em class="italics">djo’lgi</em> 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?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“And the <em class="italics">djo’lgi</em> answered: ‘It is your <em class="italics">djo’lgi</em>, +mother, let me come in.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“But the grandmother said: ‘How can all these +children crawl through safely when the clouds open +and shut?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll show them how and if they mind they will +get in,’ replied the Blue Jay.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How! How” cried the girls, some clapping their +hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">Eleanor sat and looked scornfully at the girls applauding. +Then she said, “If that isn’t the silliest +nonsense ever! Besides, <em class="italics">I</em> think it is positively sacrilegious +to talk in that way about heaven!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell us the germ of truth you found in that allegory, +Miss Miller,” begged Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the Woodcrafters left the building, Zan called +after them: “Remember to bring a finished product +of your carpentry for the next Council!”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 077.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-fivea-prize-chest"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id6">CHAPTER FIVE—A PRIZE CHEST</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 078.png --> +<p class="pnext">“I think they look great, Mil. Maybe you’ll get +a <em class="italics">coup</em>,” remarked Zan, who looked up from the +elaborate bead-loom she was decorating, having constructed +the entire machine of wood.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I just adore that bead-loom you made, Zan,” now +said May Randall, working industriously at the chest +she was etching in pyrography.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">May laughed in a pleased tone for honest praise +is sweet.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What is Eleanor Wilbur making, girls?” asked +Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I don’t know—she hasn’t been with us yet, you +know,” replied Anne Mason, evasively.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is she doing anything else besides making +trouble?” asked May Randall, in her blunt way.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll thank you to mind your own business, Miss +May Randall,” called a voice from the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, are you, Eleanor?” persisted May, defiantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then there are only five after all,” said Eleanor, +a gleam of pleasure on her face.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pooh!” sounded from Eleanor and Jane banged +her work down loudly upon the floor and said angrily:</p> +<p class="pnext">“For pity’s sake, forget it—you two! We never +had a single scrap like this when we were at Camp!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can’t we put her out, girls! I am getting to hate +her,” cried May, spitefully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s do it! The one to win this Saturday, to +have a suitable prize awarded for the different points +covered,” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It will be for neatness, utility, beauty, and time +taken in the making,” suggested Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wonder if Headquarters ever started contests +with the Woodcrafters for certain requirements well-done?” +wondered Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s have Miss Miller write to find out. Maybe +we can give them a new idea,” commented Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">Silence followed for a few moments after that decision +and Nita began humming a new Hawaiian +air.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That reminds me, Nita, did you find any new +folk songs that we might adapt for dancing?” asked +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, yes, I have a dandy! Want to see me do it +while you take a little rest from work?” cried eager +Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 25%; width: 49%"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-086.jpg" src="images/wood-086.jpg" width="100%"/> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">SUR LE PONT D’AVIGNON</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse;</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse en rond,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Les beaux messieurs font comm’ ga,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Et puis encor comm’ ga:</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse, danse</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse en rond.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse, danse;</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse en rond.</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Les belles dames font comm’ ga,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Et puis encor comm’ ga:</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse, danse</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse en rond.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse, danse;</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse en rond,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Et les capucins font comm’ ga,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Et puis encor comm’ ga,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse, danse</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Sur le pont d’Avignon,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Tout le mondey danse en rond.</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish we could learn that bridge song and dance +it for Miss Miller as a surprise,” suggested Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s do it!” abetted Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We ought to complete our carpentry work first,” +ventured May.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s fine! Who can meet at the Masons’ at eight +to-night?” called Zan, looking about at the Woodcrafters.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We surely will—every one of us,” accepted Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hoh! Anne doesn’t know us yet! Catch a Woodcrafter +being late when there’s any fun going!” +laughed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Some of us could meet to-morrow and practise, +and then all meet Friday,” added Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where do you want to meet Friday—come to my +house,” invited Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“When you finish dancing maybe you’ll come to +the kitchen and help me make some fudge?” hinted +she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We’re all through!” cried Zan, jumping up and +running for the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So we are when there’s fudge on the programme,” +laughed Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mrs. Hubert, you always promised to give us the +recipe for your fudge—it is so good!” exclaimed +Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, I’ll tell you right now, and you can watch +me make it, too,” replied Mrs. Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Lena, write it down to enter in our Tally,” said +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">As Mrs. Hubert itemised the ingredients for Elena +to write down, she measured out the quantities for +the candy.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">The fudge was made and declared the finest ever +tasted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, but you girls say that every time I treat you,” +laughed Mrs. Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s true, and that shows how you improve in +candy-making every time you cook it for us,” retorted +Zan, quickly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Which interpreted means: ‘Be sure and give us +fudge every time we visit you,’” laughed Mrs. +Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You’d hear no kick coming from the Woodcrafters,” +added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Jane! There you go again with your slang! I +thought Miss Miller was curing you girls of that +pernicious habit,” said Mrs. Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Zan’s mouth was too full of fudge to reply but she +nodded her head vigorously to express her feelings +about slang.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Dear, dear, such girls!” sighed Mrs. Hubert, +taking a recipe book from the shelf and turning to +a page of candies.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Girls, shall I show you how to make nougat?” +asked she.</p> +<p class="pnext">Naturally they cried “yes” and Elena prepared to +make another entry in the Tally.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 088.png --> +<p class="pnext">“I always thought that nougat was a dreadfully +hard candy to make, but it is as simple as rolling off +a log,” declared Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I just love it, don’t you?” said Elena, sniffing the +odour that rose from the pan of candy.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You love any kind of candy. Your mother says +you have a ‘sweet tooth,’” laughed Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here, Jane, stone these dates but do not break +them asunder.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And does the key turn easily?” inquired Miss +Miller, lifting the lid of the chest and examining the +key-hole carefully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I haven’t found a key to fit yet!” laughed May.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Does it work, Zan?” queried Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not unless it is supplied with motive-power!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then you must have tried it out with a bit of +your tremendous energy,” retorted the Guide, smiling +at the girl’s bright face.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is a boast indeed! Did you include the +Tribes of other Woodcrafters in that challenge?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come on, May, and pose over by the log scenery +to have your picture taken,” called Elena, starting for +the Council Ring.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh wait, Lena! Don’t let’s have an indoor picture. +It will look so much better if posed out-doors,” +cried Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s fine! And we’ll stand May on some of +our logs and have her look happy while holding her +chest!” exclaimed Anne.</p> +<p class="pnext">“When folks see May holding her chest in the picture, +they’ll think she had a bad cold,” came from +Zan, quickly.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone laughed but Anne added: “Oh, you old +tease, you know what I meant.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right, come on and show us what you +meant!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 092.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Hilda and May are about the same size—why +not run Hilda home to get hers?” suggested Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It won’t take more’n ten minutes, Hilda, if you +jump on a trolley!” added Nita, when Hilda frowned +down the proposition.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If it should be Jack, he could drive Hilda over +for the dress,” replied Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">me</em>; ‘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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Nita laughed for she had confided in the boys and +told them about the new dance scheduled for that +Council Meeting.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You’ll win a <em class="italics">coup</em> on this for ‘first aid,’” said +Jane to Fiji.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Won’t it be fun?” cried Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where will it be, Miss Miller?” asked Nita.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 094.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Why, Fiji says they have found a wonderful +place on the sea-side of Staten Island. ‘The woods +almost meet the beach,’ he said.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, can’t we try that aqua-planing Elizabeth Remington +told us of?” eagerly questioned Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We haven’t any to try with,” replied Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Even so, there wouldn’t be any motive-power +unless Zan supplied some of her boundless energy,” +laughed the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It won’t work in deep water, Miss Miller,” retorted +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If Elizabeth is invited for the plane why not ask +Fred and Billy for their launch?” now suggested +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sure enough! You tell Jack to, will you?” +chorused some of the girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 096.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!</p> +<!-- - - -File: 097.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-sixthe-lost-campers"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id7">CHAPTER SIX—THE LOST CAMPERS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller should have a <em class="italics">coup</em> for spontaneous +poetry,” laughed Nita, well-pleased at the Guide’s +sincere praise.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I never thought of that,” replied Anne.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If only you would wait until we catch up with +you,” sighed May Randall.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 099.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You new girls haven’t made your Tallies yet,” +said Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is one of the things we want you to tell us +about,” said Frances Mason.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I have enough pieces of tanned leather +to give each girl a cover,” now offered Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And we have enough thong and beads to bind the +books and tie the pages,” added Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller, maybe we can try for the degree of +canoeman while we camp near the water,” ventured +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 100.png --> +<p class="pnext">After travelling several miles, he consulted Bob’s +map.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The other two cars came up, and Alfred said: +“Can you make head or tail out of the map, Jim?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I was jus’ sayin’ that Master Bob must have been +dreamin’ about this ‘good woodland road,’” returned +Jim.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s take this road—it looks fine—and see if we +come to a woodland road further on,” suggested Miss +Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now ain’t that funny! It’s the post all right, +but we never came by that woodland road!” declared +Jim.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s be thankful we found one land-mark they +put down for us to follow!” grumbled Alfred, where-upon +everyone laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s hear it, Alfred,” laughed Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It would be all right for us but what about the +boys?” asked Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They have to pass by your site on their way +up the shore and you can hail them,” suggested +Jim.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s growing late, girls, and we have to pitch tents, +get ready to cook supper, and lots of other work,” +warned the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then let’s follow Alfred’s advice and take a chance +on finding the boys,” agreed Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, it can’t be five o’clock yet, Alfred,” cried +Elizabeth, surprised.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is five of five,” replied Miss Miller, consulting +her watch.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good gracious! Where are those boys?” cried +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We surely must be at the wrong site, but we will +remain where we are for to-night, anyway,” added +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Jim, if Fiji ’phones home to ask where we are +try and direct him how to find us, will you?” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Zan, bring the glasses! I’m sure I see the white +launch,” cried she, keeping her eye on the distant spot.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where? I can’t see a thing but some white-caps,” +said Zan, handing the glasses to Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s because you never spent your Summers on +an Island off the Maine coast like I have,” laughed +the girl, focussing the glasses.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s Fred and his crew, all right!” cried Elizabeth, +passing the glasses to Zan.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 103.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Oh yes, I can see them now, but aren’t they going +very slow for a motor launch?” called Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Maybe something broke down and they can’t get +in,” said Eleanor Wilbur, who had been more than +pleasant and obliging all that week.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What are you doing?” asked one of the girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And we might build a smoke-fire,” suggested Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, do that. Then we can signal them that we +are lost,” chuckled Jane, running to gather red pine +bark.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Once on top where he found the Guide and other +girls making camp, he said: “Where are the other +boys? Fishing?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, we never met each other as planned. I think +they are camping at some other spot,” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They’ll hunt us up quick enough when it’s time +for supper. You see we brought the hampers,” +laughed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You don’t think anything could have happened +to them, do you?” cried Zan, anxiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I shouldn’t wonder but what they have been over-turned,” +now added Eleanor, with her pessimistic +propensity.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then they didn’t know how to swim like Fiji and +Jack do. Why, they’re regular water-rats!” replied +Fred, optimistically.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Swimming won’t help much if they have cramps! +That sinks you like lead!” countered Eleanor again.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 105.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will you put these bags of groceries over in the +box that stands in my tent?” asked the Guide, holding +up the paper bags.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why must I play kitchen-mechanic while all the +other girls are having a good time in the woods?” +complained Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the words and tone, the Guide looked up amazed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good gracious, I thought you would prefer to do +this to stooping and collecting old wood,” said she, +vexed at the girl.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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’!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then sit down right where you are!” ordered +Miss Miller with a determined manner that made +Eleanor glance at her in wonderment.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sit down, I said!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why should I obey you?” questioned Eleanor, +stubbornly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 107.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Wh—h—y! You couldn’t do that!” gasped +Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">At this, Eleanor went white and trembled. She +cowered as if she expected a blow, but she refused to +look at the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 108.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And you kept this secret all to yourself this +week?” cried Eleanor, looking at Miss Miller with +a kindlier expression.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And you let me come with the Tribe knowing +this about me?” Eleanor’s gaze dropped to the +ground and she sat thinking.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">am</em> 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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 110.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Then, all I can say, is, that you’re all right!” +declared Eleanor. But in another second she felt +suspicious again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Then: “Miss Miller,” sounded a weak little voice +at her side, “shall I wipe the dishes with a clean +towel?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, dear, I wish you would.”</p> +<p class="pnext">And that was all.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Guess what we found, Miss Miller?” called a +chorus of voices, as the fire-gatherers returned with +armfuls of dry wood.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mushrooms?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Wh—hy, who told you?” cried the girls, looking +about for the messenger.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 112.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone laughed and Jane added: “Yes, mushrooms +but not enough for all. If we only had a steak +they would make a fine sauce.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now we can use the mushrooms!” cried +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Fred, why don’t you cook the fish the way +father taught us on Sunset Island?” asked Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Just as Miss Miller says,” replied Fred, looking +at the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now, how did you know that? We boys said +we wouldn’t let you know it!” cried Bob.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Really, you are uncanny, Miss Miller,” added +Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">A peal of laughter rang out and echoed through the +woods at the sight the three surprised boys made, and +Zan said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Just for that, you have to cook supper while we +take a dip!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Shall we wait supper for Fiji and Jack?” asked +Bob.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 114.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">So the girls ran to their tents to hurry into bathing +suits and take a swim before the call came for supper.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 115.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-sevencamping-sports-of-a-week-end"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id8">CHAPTER SEVEN—CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 116.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Are the fish most done?” asked Elizabeth, sniffing +for an odour of the cooking.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Be ready about the same time the rest of the supper +is,” replied Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s a new kind of a pot-hanger, Miss Miller,” +said Zan, pointing to the sapling Fred had rigged up.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well! If Fred Remington doesn’t know everything!” +sighed Elena, admiringly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish you were a member of our Tribe,” added +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It behooves Wako Tribe to keep on friendly terms +with you, Elizabeth,” remarked the Guide, smiling +at Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, we found that out long ago, Miss Miller,” +retorted the Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, whatever you call it or cook it, it smells +mighty good to me,” said Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ha! You’d make a poor tenderfoot if you were +lost on the mountains with no outfit!” laughed Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What would you do in that case?” asked the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Watch me! May I have a bit of this birch bark +the girls brought back with them from the woods?” +asked Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Help yourself,” replied Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well I never!” ejaculated some of the girls, while +Elena hastily sketched the birch-bark holder and wrote +down the rules for manufacturing it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now girls, lay the cloth and have the dishes ready +for the chowder,” called Elizabeth, tasting the liquid +from the tip of a spoon.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish those two boys were here to enjoy this +scrumptious meal,” said Jane, sighing as she thought +of their loss.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh no, they’re all right,” assured Fred, glancing +at Zan and Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s too dark to see where we’re going,” grumbled +Bob, who had enjoyed the chowder and fish overmuch.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s study the stars while they are gone. Who +can tell us a new story or find the old planets?” suggested +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What did you find out?” cried Jane and Zan, as +they jumped up from the grass to run and meet the +messengers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did they say they would look us up to-night?” +asked Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, thank goodness, we know they are safe and +sound, although I felt sure they were, right along,” +sighed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The tired Woodcrafters then retired and sighed as +they stretched out weary bones on the cots or under +the stars on soft pine beds.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gee! This is the life!” chuckled Bob, as he +bounced up and down on the springy spruce-tip +bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Guess the midgets haven’t reached you yet!” +grumbled Billy, as he slapped viciously at an unseen +plague.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Maybe we’ll get enough for breakfast and dinner, +too!” said Bob.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s Fiji and Jack—I wish we could surprise them +at breakfast,” laughed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll ride the aqua-plane,” offered Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why don’t you let some of the other girls do +that?” asked Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They don’t know how.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, I’d love it!” cried Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So we will, now that we can take turns on the +plane as we go alongshore,” called back Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We’ll have to draw lots for the pleasure—there +are too many here to ride on the way down,” said +Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I must say! A lot of fine friends Jack +and I have!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I must say! You’re a nice host to lead a lot of</p> +<!-- - - -File: 126.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come on, girls, let’s make ’em spurt!” urged +Billy, who was very fond of all sports, fishing included.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 24%; width: 52%" id="figure-8"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-132.jpg" src="images/wood-132.jpg" width="100%"/> +<div class="caption italics"> +A DIP IN THE “BRINY DEEP.”</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Eleanor was gone a long time without having +brought in any wood when Hilda was asked to go in +search of her.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hilda ran off and Zan stood watching her out of +sight. Then she turned to the Guide: “Now what +next?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Um—it’s very filling, I have heard,” commented +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Will there be fish enough to go round?” asked +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, Jack brought up several fine fish that Fiji +and he caught at dawn this morning, so we ought to +fare very well.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I found her stretched out on some moss blinking +up at the blue sky!” reported Hilda, disdainfully.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 130.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Why shouldn’t I rest after working so hard? +Look at the wood I found,” retorted Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wonder if any of you girls stopped to think that +you could start a list for your fish <em class="italics">coups</em> by knowing +and studying the fish caught here. Suppose you all +begin with these three kinds,” suggested Miss Miller, +wisely.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s so, we never thought of it,” cried Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Dear me, why didn’t we try to place those fish +this morning? Did you know them, Miss Miller?” +asked Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">Eleanor was interested in the fish, too, and so another +fatality for the new member was averted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“And that smaller one—if the boys know we will +have three on the list already, won’t we?” said Zan, +eagerly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course the boys know—they seem to imbibe +knowledge of this sort by instinct. Why, a boy never +has to <em class="italics">learn</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">While the Woodcrafters sat eating luncheon, a +peculiar whistle sounded from the woods back of them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sounds like a tramp signalling a pal to come and +enjoy this lunch,” teased Bob.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You seem to forget that we girls won a <em class="italics">coup</em> for +knowing our native birds this Summer. I know what +kind of a bird that is, too. Anyone else here recognise +it?” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don’t tell! Don’t—please. Let us new members +try to place the sound and sight and begin on our +bird <em class="italics">coups</em>,” interrupted Anne Mason.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come on, hurry up! We can wash dishes later,” +added Frances.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You girls go, and I will remain here with the +boys to clear away the dishes and follow after you +later,” offered the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 132.png --> +<p class="pnext">“That’s a kind of bird I know at once!” laughed +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It sounds like the siren on your Dad’s machine,” +ventured Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is. I guess the company have arrived and are +waiting for a welcome,” added Fiji.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, there’s Edith and Baby!” cried Elizabeth, +running to greet her mother and the children.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having saluted the Woodcrafters with great ceremony, +the doctor said: “Some people have been busy +this morning, judging from preparations for dinner.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We just <em class="italics">had</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you admit your appetite is normal now, what +will it be after you have had a dip in the briny?” +laughed Fiji.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 133.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, we know Mose!” laughed Fred, running over +to investigate.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gee! Looka-here boys!” called Billy, as one +goody after another was lifted up and displayed to +the circle of gourmands.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Me for the briny!” called Bob, running to the +boys’ tent.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why?” demanded a chorus of voices.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then he’ll want to stay all night!” complained +Bob.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone laughed, for the tone said as plain as day: +“I hope to goodness he won’t!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is all I’ve been waiting for—an invitation,” +replied the doctor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We can’t tuck you in anywhere. You’ll have to +win a <em class="italics">coup</em> for sleeping out under the stars,” laughed +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then we’d better make the most of the time left +us,” urged the doctor, jumping up ready for anything +proposed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Shall we dance?” asked Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone laughed again at that, for Na-na Bo-jou +is one of the most active of all energetic dances performed +by Woodcrafters.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why not sit quietly about the fire and hear a +story?” suggested Mrs. Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let Mrs. Remington tell it—she is a regular bookful +of legends and Indian lore,” quickly added the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">The idea was heartily endorsed by the others and +Mrs. Remington began:</p> +<p class="pnext">“How the Weasel Got His White Breast.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘My son, here is pipe and tobacco. Let us smoke +awhile.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“Saroki sat down by the wall and smoked. He +smoked so much that soon Waida Dikit could not see +across the wigwam.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘My son,’ said he, taking his own pipe from his +mouth, ‘you are a strong smoker.’</p> +<!-- - - -File: 136.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘You have smoked enough,’ he said to Saroki. +‘Here is a flute. Let me hear you play.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Stop!’ cried both of them. ‘Something will +happen. We know that you are the best player now.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!</p> +<p class="pnext">“His whole breast was white as snow and from +that day to this every weasel has had a white breast.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But do wait and let us have one dance to pay +Mrs. Remington for the story,” cried Nita, springing +up ever ready to perform.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Girls, show our visitors the dance-song of ‘Summertime,’” +suggested the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Band then performed the song to graceful steps +and motions and the audience loudly applauded when +it was finished.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, do allow the child to remain with us. It is +only for one night, you know,” added Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, you seem to have so many already, that +I would not like to add to the care,” responded Mrs. +Remington, doubtfully.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 138.png --> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll be so good, mother, that it will be no care!” +begged Edith.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And we will look after her, mother,” added +Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wanna stay, too!” now demanded the youthful +Theodore Roosevelt Remington, aged four.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No, no, Baby, Mother needs you at home!” +quickly said Edith.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 139.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-eightquiet-ways-for-sunday"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id9">CHAPTER EIGHT—QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">At breakfast the following morning, Miss Miller +said: “This being Sunday, we must find a quiet +form of enjoyment.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That won’t deprive us of a swim, will it?” asked +some of the anxious campers.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“These fish-cakes made of the left-over fish of +yesterday and that steamed brown rice, are the finest +I ever tasted,” remarked Fiji.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wanted the one left,” ventured Jack, teasingly.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 140.png --> +<p class="pnext">“I’m the oldest, Jack, and so I have first choice!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No sooner said than done!” answered Fred, starting +for the woods.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who’s turn is it for a legend?” asked Elena, +after they had found comfortable positions on the +warm sand.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Doesn’t matter whose—we always vote for Miss +Miller,” replied Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">A chorus of “How’s!” approved this suggestion +and the Guide smiled.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let me see! I think I will tell you a Tlingit +Myth. It is called ‘The Wolf Chief’s Son.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 142.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘It is doing great things for you and I too wish +to find food without striving hard for it,’ replied the +man.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘When he kills a sheep, be sure and feed him the +best part. I always do that and the dog knows it.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The man laughed and carted home the sheep, but +the boy looked about quickly and said: ‘Where is +my little dog?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Hoh, it ran away from me when I cut open the +sheep.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then the boy ran to his sister and demanded that +she tell him just what happened on the mountain-side.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She told the boy what her husband had done with +the entrails and how the dog ran up the mountain-side +yelping.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘I am your grandmother, boy, and I will help +you. What do you here all alone?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then the boy told about his little dog and how +he would like to find it again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘How can I get over there?’ asked the boy.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 145.png --> +<p class="pnext">“‘How can I sit in this—it will not carry me?’ +said he.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“The boy took the quill and thanked the Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then the Wolf Chief added: ‘I will also give +you a great treasure as I see you are a grateful lad.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“Again the boy thanked the Chief earnestly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“No such luck! It is war, war, war to the bitter +end, I guess,” added Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And starvation or famine and plagues for the +world!” sighed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">must</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“In the sea?” laughed Eleanor sceptically, as the +others joined the Guide and looked where she did.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and wonderful secrets it holds for us, too. +Come, and I will show you a few.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She isn’t ‘the only pebble on the beach’ for that +weakness,” commented Fred, looking at his elder +sister.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 151.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Chump Mark for Fred—he used slang!” cried +Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The jar filled, Miss Miller filled the remaining +crevices with salt water, then screwed the lid on the +jar.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Aren’t they just lovely! But where under the +sun did you ever hear of these things, Miss Miller?” +cried Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We might fill the empty boxes we were going to +burn up when we cleaned up camp,” suggested Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 152.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you boys wish to do that?” asked she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Cert. Anything you say. We haven’t a thing to +do until church is over, you know,” laughed Jack.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Meaning this Sunday enjoyment? Well, it is a +heap more fun than I would have believed possible,” +declared Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s a good idea. Now, Miss Miller, what else +do you know about shell secrets?” added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“These two ideas will give you many other ideas +where the shells can be used. I should think Elena +could suggest some new ways.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, oh, <em class="italics">OH!</em> Listen to me!” shouted Nita, +jumping up and down frantically, as she waved both +arms about in her excitement.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Goodness sakes! I thought Nita stepped on a sea-serpent!” +laughed the Guide, turning to hear the +great news.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Won’t it be <em class="italics">perfectly grand</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Great! If we only had another day to stop here +and collect the shells,” returned Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller, I bet anything, Nita could win an +honour from Headquarters for an ideal dance and +costume like that!” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O-oh! but it makes your back ache terribly! Mine +is simply broken in two and I can’t stoop another +time!” declared Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh be a sport, Ella! Don’t spoil everything by +your whimperings,” said Zan, expressing disgust in +her voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I just guess if you were as delicate as I am your +bones would ache, too!” retorted Eleanor.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 156.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Thank goodness I’m no hypochondriac!” snapped +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The other girls tittered but the Guide said: “Oh +she’s coming on fine, <em class="italics">I</em> think!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller!” gasped several voices.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You don’t believe me, do you? Wait and see!” +rejoined the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, you always did have a gift for seeing +‘swans where others only saw geese,’” said Zan, +whimsically.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hurry up! Comp’ny!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Land’s sake, who can it be?” cried Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before they reached the cliff they could plainly see +the white sails of a boat that was heading straight +for the site.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If that isn’t Dad I’ll eat these shells!” cried +Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Spare enough for that costume of Nita’s,” laughed +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We girls want to go, too,” declared Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The only way I can pay the debt of hospitality is +to take you in installments. ‘Ladies and children’ +first,” laughed Mr. Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s only your excuse for a far longer sail than +we can have,” pouted Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Same here,” agreed the other Woodcrafters.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 159.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ninea-rainy-week-end-camp"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id10">CHAPTER NINE—A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Don’t you think I carried it out well?” said she, +as she sat in the chair beside the Guide.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 160.png --> +<p class="pnext">“It all depends on what one considers ‘well,’” replied +Miss Miller, earnestly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O-oh—Miss Miller!” gasped Eleanor. “No one +can call a practical joke a theft! You are dreadfully +strict and unfair.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Guide, left alone, sighed and dropped her head +upon her arms that were resting on the desk.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">in</em> 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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll do my part. And Father Spirit, lend me all +aid!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 162.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, this is Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The girls perked up their ears when they heard it +related to their camp hopes.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, oh! How splendid! How good of you to +bother!” the Guide beamed delightedly into the receiver.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 163.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell her it is a heavenly refuge from the storm!”</p> +<p class="pnext">The other girls laughed and Jane added: “Sort +of ‘any harbour for a wreck!’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“When can we start?” asked practical Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“As soon as you like—I am waiting for the word,” +replied the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We can’t walk—I’d better call up Jim on this +’phone and see if he can come over,” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But the disguise is rather damp, just the same,” +added Zan, when Jane mentioned the blessing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Isn’t this just scrumptious?” cried Nita, pivoting +on her toes on the smooth floor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll test the cots and tell you if I agree with you,” +laughed Jane, who dearly loved to sleep late in the +morning.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mother ought to give the servants a night off!” +laughed Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All we need to have a regular Grand Council are +the Baker and Hubert boys with us,” declared Mrs. +Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are there any suggestions for the evening’s entertainment?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief!” replied Miss Miller, standing, “I suggest +that we read the essays prepared for this week-end.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We-ell, I suppose we <em class="italics">might</em> unburden our souls +of that much trouble,” remarked Zan, slowly, causing +a laugh at her words.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 168.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Ha! it seemeth that Jane groweth poetical!” +teased Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief! Who wouldn’t feel that way with the +music of the floods echoing on this tin roof?” retorted +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Last year, about 40,000 forest fires occurred in +the United States and burned over 5,900,000 acres, +causing irretrievable losses.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">smoke</em> in a forest where dry leaves and +tinder ignite very quickly.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 170.png --> +<p class="pnext">“How! How!” approved the Woodcrafters as Mr. +Remington sat down.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The next reader on my list is Nita,” announced +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 171.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How!” responded the girls, and Miss Miller +smiled with gratification at the compliment paid her +girls and herself.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s Jane’s turn now,” said Zan, turning to the +next reader.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 173.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Elena, your turn next,” said Zan, as Fred sat +down.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">As Elena finished reading Zan turned and asked +Anne Mason to read her paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I was given the subject ‘New and Interesting +Manufactures Pertaining to Forest Products.’ And +most interesting it proved to be.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s all I could collect in the short time allotted,” +said Anne, sitting down.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is more than I dreamed anyone could find to +prove so interesting. I like this stunt—don’t you +girls?” commented Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How! How!” came the answer.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 176.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Now May, what did you find for us?” said the +Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">May sat down and Mildred was called upon to read.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 23%; width: 53%" id="figure-9"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-180.jpg" src="images/wood-180.jpg" width="100%"/> +<div class="caption italics"> +A RACE, WHILE “WAKO” SAT ON THE FENCE.</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ha! That’s good news, for I love the plebeian +nut!” laughed Zan, as Mildred sat down.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who’s next to read?” continued the Chief, +glancing at her list.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wrote up a paper about fruit, O Chief!” said +Frances, now standing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good! Let’s hear it.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">This reading was applauded by the audience and +then Zan asked if Eleanor had complied with the +request to write up some item.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“My dear, make a note of this and let us suggest +it at the next National Council,” added Mr. Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How!” cried the girls as their visitor finished +her report.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have we anyone else to contribute?” asked the +Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fred then stood up and cleared his throat—a habit +he had when he felt the least bit embarrassed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I might add that Instructors from the Agricultural +College of the United States gave the Indians +new insight into modern farming methods.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The first course for Indian Farmers in Wisconsin +was held at Kashena, on the Menominee Reservation, +and was attended by scores of Tribes-men.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 182.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Who hasn’t read a paper?” asked Zan, looking +around.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You haven’t!” retorted Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then I make a motion that the Chief be asked to +make that boast good!” cried Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">Amid laughter, the motion was loudly seconded and +carried, and Zan waited for the uproar to quiet down +before she said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 183.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mr. Adams looked it over dubiously and said: +‘Will you please tell me where you found it?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 184.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">between</em> the jaws but +never to become a part of a jaw.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 185.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief, I am not sure whether that essay deserves +a <em class="italics">coup</em> or a Chump Mark.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“You’re not going away, are you?” cried Billy, +as his father walked from the circle.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 187.png --> +<p class="pnext">“It’s long past bed-time and Baby is nodding,” +explained Mrs. Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Guide looked at her wrist watch and then exclaimed: +“Goodness me! It is past eleven o’clock’.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“The parting song and then we say good-night,” +said Zan, and the Woodcrafters all stood to join in +the Indian hymn.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pooh, I know <em class="italics">you</em>, Fiji Baker! You never thought +of a hike until you heard from Dad that <em class="italics">we</em> were here. +I bet anything you called up Fred Remington first and +asked him to invite you over!” declared Zan, nodding +wisely.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Instantly every girl was up in arms and what might +have transpired is not known, for the ever watchful +Guide comprehended, and said joyfully:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh how fine! Then you boys will show us how +to play ‘Hunt the Deer’ or ‘Bear Hunting.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll run to the house for the bear and spears. +Meantime, you can warm up by having some races,” +said Fred Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 189.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-tenin-falling-leaf-moon"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id11">CHAPTER TEN—IN FALLING LEAF MOON</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What’s the matter, Eleanor—you’ve had the same +time and privileges as the others?” asked Zan, impatiently.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Humph! Guess you got out of bed with your +left foot foremost, this morning,” complained Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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. <em class="italics">I</em> for one will not act the hypocrite +for the sake of an automobile drive!” snapped Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Hypocrite! Good gracious! You’re the biggest——”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone flushed and looked uncomfortable but +Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and walked out without +a word to anyone.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let her go—I only hope it’s for good!” grumbled +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Not a sound was heard and the teacher continued:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Proceed.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The motion was seconded by Zan, and carried +unanimously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">No one could and several voices expressed amazement.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 25%; width: 49%" id="figure-10"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-195.jpg" src="images/wood-195.jpg" width="100%"/> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Miss Miller carefully moistened her fingers in the +water and also moistened the edges of the bowls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now listen and tell me what I am playing?” +said she.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Guide lightly passed her moist fingertips around +the rim of the right-hand bowl and produced a clear +sweet tone.</p> +<p class="pnext">“G!” called the girls as she looked for their reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now these?”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now I will play my favourite patriotic song, +‘Our America,’ and after I have played it through +you girls might sing it.”</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 25%; width: 49%" id="figure-11"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-197.jpg" src="images/wood-197.jpg" width="100%"/> +<div class="caption italics"> +OUR AMERICA</div> +</div> +<!-- --> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">1</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">America, America, thou gavest birth</div> +<div class="line">To light that lighteth all the earth.</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">God keep it pure!</div> +</div> +<div class="line">We love that onward leading light;</div> +<div class="line">We will defend it with our might,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">It shall endure!</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="line">2</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">America, America, our love of thee</div> +<div class="line">Is free-men’s love of Liberty,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">The Spirit blest,</div> +</div> +<div class="line">Which holds high happiness in store,</div> +<div class="line">When Right shall reign from shore to shore.</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">From East to West.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="line">3</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">America, America, thy seer-graved seal</div> +<div class="line">Foretells the perfect Commonweal</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Of God-made men;</div> +</div> +<div class="line">Its eagle with unwearied wings</div> +<div class="line">Is symbol of the thought-seen things</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Of prophet’s ken.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="line">4</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">America, America, on-pressing van</div> +<div class="line">Of all the hopes of waking man,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">We love thy flag!—Thy stately flag of steadfast</div> +</div> +<div class="line">stars,</div> +<div class="line">And white, close held to heart-red bars,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Which none shall drag!</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="line">5</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">America, America, in thee is found</div> +<div class="line">Manasseh’s tribe, to Ephraim bound</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">By Israel’s vow,</div> +</div> +<div class="line">Whose destiny is heaven-sealed;</div> +<div class="line">Far spreading vine in fruitful field</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">God’s planting, thou!</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="line">6</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">America, America, faith-shadowed land,</div> +<div class="line">Truth dwells in Thee, and Truth shall stand</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">To guard thy gate.</div> +</div> +<div class="line">Thy planted seed of potent good</div> +<div class="line">Shall grow to world-wide brotherhood,</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Man’s true estate.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="line">7</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">America, America, the God of love</div> +<div class="line">Whose name is ev’ry name above</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Is thy defence.</div> +</div> +<div class="line">’Tis thou must lead the longing world</div> +<div class="line">From phantom fears to Love’s unfurled</div> +<div class="inner line-block"> +<div class="line">Omnipotence.</div> +</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“That was the softest singing I ever thought +possible!”</p> +<p class="pnext">The girls laughed, too, and Zan said: “Try us +again—maybe we can voice more sound.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">She then played several old ballads, the girls humming +the chorus of each as she played it.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Zan flared up but a look from the Guide calmed +her again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“By the way, Eleanor, did you ever complete your +Woodcraft test of carpentry?” now asked Miss Miller, +meaningly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, no—I thought I would leave the Band so +I did not bother to waste my time.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I made this opportunity on purpose, Eleanor, and +I trust you will remember why?” said Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Huh! ‘And gentleness of the dove,’ why don’t +you add?” sneered Eleanor, unkindly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Miss Miller waited but Eleanor made no reply, so +she added:</p> +<p class="pnext">“When do you intend telling May and the others +about the theft?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How dare you say that to me!” cried Eleanor, +trying to be furiously insulted.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Eleanor, do you really mean that?” asked Miss +Miller, her voice quivering with hope and joy.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Um-um, Ooh, ye-e-es! But to-morrow I will be +hard again!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Cry—don’t you think they will fire me out of the +Band?” asked Eleanor, incredulously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Miss Miller, you make everything so good +and easy for a sinner to repent!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Later in the evening the Guide spoke of the many +ways Woodcraft girls had in the city of following +pursuits they little dreamed of.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Very few of the girls could answer correctly to +these vital questions, and the Guide explained, then +continued her talk to them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">coups</em> and grand <em class="italics">coups</em>.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I never thought of that!” declared Zan, thoughtfully.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Neither did I. Can’t we go, too, Miss Miller, and +make up our hundred for grand <em class="italics">coups</em>?” asked +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh girls, can’t we go right soon?” exclaimed +Anne Mason.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gracious! There seems more to do than one +Winter can ever find time for!” sighed Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh Zan, that will be fine! Call it the costume +of the ‘Woodcraft Girls at Camp,’” said Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you mind if we girls make one that way?” +asked Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course not! It isn’t likely that any of you +will work out the same idea in beads as I will,” replied +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think the plan is good and the ceremonial dresses +ought to look beautiful,” approved Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">she</em> 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. <em class="italics">You</em> never +do that!” complained Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">After the meeting at which the girls realised the +many free resorts where Woodcraft <em class="italics">coups</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Dad, isn’t this a peachy set?” asked she when it +was finished and standing on the wide rear porch +for exhibition.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Keep it? Why, in the parlour, of course!” declared +Zan, frowning at the implied meaning in her father’s +question.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We-el-1—I s’pose I <em class="italics">might</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you see any improvement in Eleanor?” asked +Jane, one day.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Funny that you should ask me that. I asked Miss +Miller the same thing this morning,” replied Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What did she say?” from Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Guess it will be a long time, then!” retorted Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 <em class="italics">must</em> have, we will not condemn and +criticise her acts. It is the <em class="italics">human</em> judgment of <em class="italics">things</em> +that makes obstacles in the road of one’s advancement, +she told me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Dear me, I wish I was as good and wise as Miss +Miller,” sighed Jane, gazing skyward.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“We know from your expression that you know +something good!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, that <em class="italics">is</em> good news!” cried Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We sure are indebted to you, Miss Miller, for all +the trouble you take for our enjoyment,” added Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Girls, I have an odd Indian legend founded on the +constellation of ‘Charles Wain.’ Want to hear it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">Naturally every girl cried for the story and they +sat down in a circle to listen.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 212.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-elevencamp-at-alpine-falls"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id12">CHAPTER ELEVEN—CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“This myth comes from the Tlingit Indians of +Alaska and is named ‘The Wain House +People,’” began Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then the villagers declared that he was lost to +them and they wailed and beat the drums for the +hunter who came not back.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“But the young hunter who heard the voice called +back: ‘We must have food. What shall we do without +sheep?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.’</p> +<!-- - - -File: 216.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.’</p> +<!-- - - -File: 217.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 218.png --> +<p class="pnext">“There isn’t much hidden truth in that legend,” +said Zan, who felt disappointed with the story.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I liked it, all right,” said Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s a queer tale—some of those Indian stories +are so impossible as to be ridiculous,” commented +Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is as far as we can safely go.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 219.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, this is awful! I wish I had never come!” +complained Eleanor, stopping every other moment to +gasp and rest.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It isn’t very alluring, I must admit,” said Miss +Miller, as disappointed as the others.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Great Caesar’s ghost! <em class="italics">What</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s in the throes of being transformed into a +Park!” laughed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh no!” called Jane, “this is the evolution of a +dancing floor for Nita.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 220.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Oh! Come here and see the wonderful view!” +shouted she.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone dropped the tiresome luggage and gladly +ran out to join Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ah! This repays us for all the toil and hardships +endured,” exclaimed Miss Miller, with clasped hands, +admiring the view.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I wish we could camp near here,” ventured Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought I heard running water before you joined +me. Maybe we can find a brook or spring,” suggested +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I heard there was a beautiful bit of water here +called Alpine Falls. If we could only find it!” said +Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s separate and scout for it. Leave the baggage +here for the time,” responded Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">But they had not far to search, for Zan <em class="italics">had</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I hope to goodness no one here is a sleep-walker,” +laughed Zan, waving a hand in the direction of the +precipice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No one here guilty of that habit!” replied Miss +Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">So camp was pitched and preparations for supper +well under way before Jane said: “We forgot to +think of a swim.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Early in the morning, Zan turned over in her tiny +cot and yawned. Awake in an instant, she sat up +and sniffed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Who’s baking breakfast gems? They smell fine!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I never! If this isn’t the most ingenious +device!” murmured Zan, chuckling to herself.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, but I was wondering how to give the offside +a chance to brown?” replied Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did we bring apples yesterday?” asked she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Um-m! Should say they did. But tell me, Miss +Miller—did you stay up all night to work like this?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll run in and wash and dress, then I’ll be back +to help,” said Zan, starting off for the tent.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">When Zan and Hilda returned to the camp-fire the +Guide asked Hilda to broil the ham while Zan spread +the breakfast cloth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What can I do?” asked Jane, coming over.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You can get a pail of fresh water from the Falls +and fill the cups at each plate,” returned the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can think of enough ideas right now to keep +you girls busy until Christmas,” rejoined the Guide, +also laughingly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“For instance?” questioned Zan, curious to hear +the items.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s right! I never thought of using birch +bark for such things,” declared Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Make a record of it in the Tally!” teased Zan, +for Elena was acquiring the habit of entering everything +in that book.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 226.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller, do you know of other articles to +make out of wild-wood things?” asked May, with +awe at the Guide’s knowledge.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I waxed some Autumn leaves last year and we +used them over the windows and doors until Christmas +time. Everyone said they looked <em class="italics">so</em> pretty,” said +Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why can’t we gather some of these beautiful leaves +and do the same thing with them, Miss Miller?” asked +Jane, eagerly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No wonder we didn’t see it before,” remarked +Zan, gazing at its dark brown shingled sides and +green roof.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It doesn’t seem occupied. Maybe the people do +not live here,” suggested Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few moments the Band stood reading the sign. +“No trespassing on these grounds under penalty +of the law.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Even as she spoke, a gardener came forward along +a side path, and doffed his cap.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We saw the sign and wondered if we were trespassing +out here?” replied Miss Miller, in a questioning +voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now isn’t this a real adventure?” laughed Miss +Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And we wouldn’t have had it if there wasn’t a +house and a care-taker here to obstruct the trail!” +added Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 230.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ha! Discovered in the act!” laughed Zan, pointing +an accusing finger at the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">Miss Miller laughed also and nodded.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What?” questioned May.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She did that stunt on purpose to make us keen +to learn the trick,” hastily explained Jane, who saw +the nod and guessed rightly.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Then Elena made a suggestion. “I am going to +design and make a Woodcraft article to give our +Chief for a birthday gift.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think that’s great! I’ll do one, too,” added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“So will I,” echoed Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s all make something in Woodcraft for the +party,” said Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Gracious me! It will take a pile of presents and +ages to finish them all,” exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur; +“I can’t do it.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 232.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, that won’t be a gift!” laughed Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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 +<em class="italics">true</em> 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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Eleanor flushed but said nothing. And Zan quickly +said: “Say, girls, we can all win <em class="italics">coups</em> that will +count if we make some Woodcraft things mentioned +in the Manual!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“So we can! And each can choose what she likes,” +abetted Jane.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 234.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-twelvea-birthday-council-on-hallow-een"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id13">CHAPTER TWELVE—A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">coups</em> in Woodcraft.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<blockquote><div> +<p class="pfirst">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The autos will leave our house at four o’clock +Friday afternoon. Please reply at once.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">“Cordially yours,</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">“Frederick Baker, M.D.”</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you know anything of this, Zan?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Cross my heart—not a thing!” declared Zan, +earnestly.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you know, Miss Miller?” questioned several +girls, turning to the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not until Monday, when I was asked over the +’phone what I thought of the plan, and I said it was +splendid.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I s’pose we will accept, eh?” asked Anne Mason, +anxiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Accept! Well I guess yes!” retorted Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Chump Mark for Jenny!” laughed Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Humph! Slang is imperative under such exciting +conditions!” replied Zan, glancing sympathetically at +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Never mind that talk—wasting good time—hurry +up and compose an answer to the doctor’s letter!” +cried Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll take it home and hand it to Dad to save time,” +added Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I suppose Elizabeth will go with us—shall I telephone +Mrs. Remington and find out?” asked the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think your mother has already attended to that. +We will find out,” and Miss Miller took up the receiver.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 240.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now that’s settled we can say ‘yes’ to the invitation,” +said Jane, impatiently.</p> +<p class="pnext">It took but a few moments to write the note to Dr. +Baker and then the girls chattered excitedly again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Got everything ready for the Gift Ceremony?” +asked Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have,” came from many, and “Most done,” +from others.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus warned beforehand, the girls giggled but asked +no questions that would bring down a significant +silence upon them.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Chump Mark for your slang, Bill!” laughed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">And genial Bill, not knowing what a Chump Mark +meant, grinned and replied: “Ya’as, Miss San, it +sure was a fine camp!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now don’t oversleep, girls,” shouted Fiji, as the +boys followed Mrs. Baker away from the Bluff.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you’re not ready to start when we call in the +morning, we’ll just go on without you,” added Fred +Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We want to get bags and <em class="italics">bags</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh say! Don’t talk as if we were the sleepy-heads +that you boys are! Don’t we know <em class="italics">you</em>!” +scorned Jane, as Zan and she exchanged glances which +said as plain as could be: “Trying to pose with their +sisters present!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Fiji had seen some rabbits during the morning, and +the moment he was at the house began:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Mumsie, Fred brought his rifle and we’re going +hunting this afternoon. The other little boys can do +that work for you.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh pshaw, Mum! He knows everything about +a gun! He and I won’t go near anyone else, and you +know you can trust <em class="italics">me</em>!” coaxed Fiji.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 243.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 +<em class="italics">coups</em> awarded to some of the new members and a +few of the old ones of the Band, the feature of the +Council began.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How!” approved the Council members, so the +Chief took up the tomtom.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 245.png --> +<p class="pnext">“We left many empty worthless shells on the battlefield, +but the prisoners shall be roasted at our war-dance +to-night!”</p> +<p class="pnext">As the Guide sat down a chorus of laughing +“How’s!” came from the girls for the extemporaneous +war-talk.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This magic circle now woven and complete may +not be crossed by anyone holding evil intentions,” said +Elizabeth solemnly.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief! If you and Elizabeth will accompany +me to yon cabin I will see that my share of the entertainment +is finished.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Brother Warriors, what can it be?” laughed +Zan, looking at the girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“O Chief, no one but Wakanda can answer that +question!” retorted Jane, creating a general laugh at +her irreverent reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Goodness gracious me!” exclaimed Zan. “How +under the sun did you ever get it so large and to work +so easy?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It makes a great American shade for us,” giggled +Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ought to be labelled ‘Made in America,’” added +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But what I want to know is ‘Why-for and Where-for?’” +said Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">With many hands to help, the packages were soon +in place, and then the Guide said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“We will all stand in a circle about the umbrella +and as I swing it about we sing:</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">“Merrily in this Council Ring,</div> +<div class="line">Dancing gayly as we sing,</div> +<div class="line">What will this umbrella bring</div> +<div class="line">When we change to hippety-hop</div> +<div class="line">And our Chief calls out to stop?”</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">“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 <em class="italics">outside</em>, 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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What an original game!” exclaimed May.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 250.png --> +<p class="pnext">“But so childish!” complained Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Pity we haven’t more of the simple childlike pleasures,” +added Mrs. Baker, who had overheard the +remark.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now then, girls—ready?” called the Guide, ignoring +the criticism from Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes—all ready!” called most of the girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How! How!” followed this agreeable statement, +and the umbrella whirled again.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Change!” shouted Zan at the word, and some of +the girls did change the step correctly while others +were in doubt.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Here—a forfeit from each one of you!” demanded +Zan, and the punishment made the game more +exciting.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Elena Marsh,” read Mrs. Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone looked eagerly at the laden stick opposite +her, and Jane called: “Here it is, in front of me.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Jane removes it and runs about the circle with +Elena after her,” added Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Great interest was shown as Elena opened the package +and showed a small box of French pastels.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh!” sighed she in ecstasy, “I’ve wanted one of +these ever since I was born!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Everyone laughed and Zan added: “I bet you +daubed and designed through many incarnations before +this present one.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Come ahead, girls! I want to see if Miss Miller +gave me a new riding-habit—I want one badly!” +called Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">So with laughing and merriment, the second whirl +began.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, Miss Miller, I’m so much obliged to you!” +exclaimed the delighted little girl, making a quaint +curtsey.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller, I think you’re real mean not to give +us a chance to have something on the umbrella for +you, too.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Right here! It was so heavy it would have broken +down the carefully built up umbrella, so I left it for +the last gift.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a complete set of pyrography tools, a +roll of stencilled Woodcraft designs (made by Elizabeth +Remington), and transfer paper, copying inks, +etc.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Not an item forgotten—even a bottle of alcohol +for the fuel!” cried Miss Miller, too surprised to +remember to thank Mrs. Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">After many apologies and profuse thanks, she +added: “Such a teacher of morals and manners to +these girls!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<!-- - - -File: 254.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Suppose we invite the boys to supper, as we are +going to be their guests to-night at the house?”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Regular Hallow E’en games were played at first, +then Fred called for the Jack Horner Pie he had spied +in the kitchen.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, then, help me carry it in,” laughed Mrs. +Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“That’s a culinary secret!” laughed Mrs. Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell us, so we can enter the recipe in the Tally,” +replied Elena, also laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It must be time for refreshments, Mumsie,” said +Bob, at last.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right, Son, call them all to the feast,” laughed +Mrs. Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell us how you made this lemonade! I never +tasted better.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 257.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 258.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-thirteenindoor-woodcraft-entertainment"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id14">CHAPTER THIRTEEN—INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 27%; width: 46%" id="figure-12"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/wood-260.jpg" src="images/wood-260.jpg" width="100%"/> +<div class="caption italics"> +ZAN’S CEREMONIAL COSTUME.</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">“I’m going to ask Dad to send me to school next +Winter,” declared Jane, who enjoyed the work immensely.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And Elena, Nita, and May ought to go, too,” +added Miss Miller, admiring the dainty work done +by these girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">One afternoon the Guide said: “Girls, have any +of you entered blue prints in your Tally Books?”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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?”</p> +<p class="pnext">No one knew, so the Guide told them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Constant dripping wears the rock away,’” said +Zan, watching him come back again and again to +strike the glass.</p> +<p class="pnext">“He is only playing tag with his nose,” explained +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But why should he always keep his mouth open +half-way, as if he had difficulty in breathing?” asked +Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Maybe he has—that constant bumping on his nose +will cause a swelling and close up the nostrils,” ventured +Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They can camp in the Council House,” said Mrs. +Remington over the telephone, when Miss Miller told +her of the trouble.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, yes, yes!” cried everyone at that.</p> +<p class="pnext">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, +<em class="italics">coup</em>-sticks, and many other fine articles of Indian +costume.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">coup</em>-sticks to create a genuine +Woodcraft atmosphere.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">coup</em>-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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Fred, why don’t you boys invite the girls to dinner +at your camp in the woods?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“How!” eagerly chorused the girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They must have scouted, Mother!” laughed Mr. +Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">And “mother” nodded understandingly and laughed +also.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 267.png --> +<p class="pnext">“There girls, the cookies will hold you together +while we roast potatoes and get the lunch ready,” said +Fred.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Um-m! I want this recipe from someone to put +in our book. These are the best cookies I ever tasted,” +said Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Someone can tell you the recipe right now, Elena. +It happens to be my own that Mrs. Remington tried,” +laughed Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tell us, then, while I write it down,” urged Elena, +with a pencil and scrap of paper ready for use.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Strange, however, that after that dinner not one +of the Woodcrafters felt like dancing an Indian War +Dance to entertain others!</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I say! What’s the matter with having a regular +fight! Build a fort and choose up sides?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Down on the flats by the road-side!” added Billy, +pointing to the low-land that fronted the lawns by the +private road.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Just the thing!” exclaimed Fiji.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 270.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Will you girls help?” asked Jack Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">The girls looked at the Guide for approval, and she, +seeing the gleam of battle shining from those many +eyes, laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“No ice to be packed in the balls, remember!” +warned the Guide, trying to be severe.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Of course not!” agreed Bobby Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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, <em class="italics">cook</em>, <em class="italics">COOK</em> aul the toime an’ +niver a crumb to eat!” declared Maria.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">That evening was spent in quiet ways, as everyone +felt weary and ready for bed the moment it could +reasonably be suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, Miss Miller, it doesn’t seem possible! +Really, can’t you see the improvement?” said the girl.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">In January the Guide suggested that an entirely +new departure be taken up before Spring.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I didn’t think there was anything more on earth +that we could learn,” said May, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Now that we have exhausted all the foolishness, +maybe we will start on something worth while,” said +Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Sufficient unto the day’—then you’ll see what +I have in mind for you.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 276.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-fourteenwinter-woodcraft-work"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id15">CHAPTER FOURTEEN—WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">“Girls, how many are willing to start making +a tent?” said the Guide, at the next meeting +in the gymnasium.</p> +<p class="pnext">“A tent! Good gracious!” exclaimed Zan, while +the other girls echoed their Chief’s amazement.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Easy as hemming a towel, if you know how,” +laughed Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you will try I will order the material to-day +and show you how to begin the work,” urged the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“All right, go ahead! I’m willing to sew my fingers +to the bone if you say so,” sighed Zan, who detested +sewing.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The girls thought earnestly for a time, but no one +seemed to grasp the need of anything else. Finally +the Guide said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“What would happen in case of a heavy rain-storm?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, we must dig a trench about the outside for +rain!” cried Zan, suddenly realising this important +factor in camping.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and a floor must be laid to keep us dry from +the damp ground!” added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Fine! Tell us some more, Elizabeth,” said the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“They also explain how to make tepees, Miss +Miller,” said Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and a tepee is simpler to make than a tent, +but this style tent is much roomier and so serviceable.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">But the tents were completed in time, and very proud +the Woodcrafters felt of the great achievement.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Thus, they visited Edgar Allan Poe’s cottage and +the old Revolutionary Mansions left in certain localities +of New York.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">After preliminaries were disposed of, Mrs. Remington +addressed the Tribe.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">In an aside to Mrs. Remington she whispered: +“Nothing like the responsibility of children to bring +out dormant strength of character in a girl!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly! That is why this plan was adopted for +Big Lodge Girls.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“We have been discussing this novel plan and we +all wish to ask some questions,” now announced the +Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The meeting is open for questions,” said the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Can my brother Paul join?” asked Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sure—we’ll soon teach him to quit his peevish +ways,” replied Zan, frank but thoughtless in her +answer.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hilda turned away but felt ill-treated by her friends. +Then Jane Hubert said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Maybe my little cousin Dot Hubert will join! +Goodness knows she needs this training almost as +much as Paul does.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Some of the girls giggled, for they had noticed +Hilda’s offended manner, but Miss Miller quickly +added:</p> +<p class="pnext">“With the three little Remingtons, that will make +five. We are progressing splendidly, girls.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How old are they?” eagerly asked the girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Let’s hope your enthusiasm keeps up!” grumbled +Eleanor, who had not favoured the new departure +very much.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 286.png --> +<p class="pnext">With the advent of the Brownies and the conversion +of seven active little bundles of mischief into becoming +normal, ambitious, <em class="italics">coup</em>-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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">coups</em> or grand <em class="italics">coups</em>, +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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">coups</em> or +<em class="italics">grand coups</em> attached.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next to the long table stood the book-shelves, +tabourets, benches, stools, bird-houses, and other decorative +or useful articles in carpentry.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were exhibits of <em class="italics">coups</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Immediately following this dance, the Chief said: +“One of our Brownies wishes to win a <em class="italics">coup</em> for storytelling, +so I will introduce Edith Remington to the +audience. She will tell you what happened to her last +Winter.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 290.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?’</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 291.png --> +<p class="pnext">When Edith concluded her story the audience applauded +and Big Chief declared she must have the +<em class="italics">coup</em>, for the story was well told.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">coup</em> presented her.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 292.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-fifteensome-week-end-camps"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id16">CHAPTER FIFTEEN—SOME WEEK-END CAMPS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did you hear what Zan Baker’s gone and done?” +exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur, as soon as she heard about +the proposed camp that Saturday.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“She’s planned a camp and left us out in the cold!”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 293.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Who told you so?” asked some of the loyal girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 294.png --> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are teaching the Brownies to make gifts +for Betty’s birthday party. The little ones are going +to the woods to celebrate.”</p> +<p class="pnext">That same evening, Miss Miller spoke to Zan about +having the other members of the Tribe at the Woodland +Camp.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have you decided on a place for the picnic?” +asked the Guide, changing the subject.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We thought Eagle’s Crest as good as any for just +one day,” replied Zan, relieved that the other disagreeable +topic was dropped.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 295.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">From a picnicker’s point of view, the outing was +a great success and proved an incentive for a longer +camp next time.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the drive back home that afternoon, Zan asked +the other girls when and where they should have the +next camp.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We can revisit Staten Island,” suggested Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’d rather camp nearer a house or store where +we could telephone if we need to,” added +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh do, please, and maybe we can go the first warm +Friday.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the first stop, which was Miss Miller’s home, +Zan said: “Don’t forget that letter, Miss +Miller.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">Miss Miller said good-night to them and left them +wondering at her displeased tone of voice.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What did you do, Zan Baker?” cried Jane, +amazed.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I—I never did a thing to her!” said Zan half-crying +with mortification.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 297.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Little Lodge was well started on flowers, birds, +trees and other <em class="italics">coups</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The evening before the Band broke camp, they were +all seated about the embers of the camp-fire when the +Guide addressed them:</p> +<!-- - - -File: 298.png --> +<p class="pnext">“You girls will not have much time to give the +Little Lodge after this week—you have to study for +Exams. you know.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Dear sakes, that’s so! I tried to forget it,” sighed +Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“This is the last of May and preliminary examinations +start the first week of June this year,” the Guide +reminded.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have to work up some of those last Fall studies, +too,” murmured Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You won’t! Goodness what will we do?” asked +Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, do what I will do—study like mad!” retorted +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 299.png --> +<p class="pnext">“It is sure to—what is it, Miss Miller?” said the +girls.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What a dandy idea! I’ll do it the moment we get +home,” exclaimed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Eleanor was taken by surprise as she had heard +nothing of the transfer. She said nothing more but +changed the subject.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“As a physician would say, ‘with no fatalities to +record!’ and patients all doing well!” laughed Dr. +Baker.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">It seemed a long time since the girls had met and +everyone was present to hear what was the cause of +the call.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, how lovely of the doctor!” cried several +voices.</p> +<p class="pnext">“If only it was for some other time, Miss Miller! +We have company coming to spend the Fourth,” complained +one of the Suwanee members.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And we are going to the seashore next Monday +for a month!” added another girl.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, we’ll go, of course! Who’d think of refusing?” +laughed Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Is that what everyone present thinks? Remember +girls—this is for everyone in the Tribe—not for a +few,” said the Guide very plainly.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The last day in the city, however, Eleanor met Zan +on the street, and said: “Are all the Brownies going +with us?”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 303.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Sure! There aren’t enough to go around as it is—so +we couldn’t spare one, you know.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They are such darlings! I am so glad they will +be with us!” exclaimed Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I thought you detested them. I heard that you +preferred leaving our Tribe if we continued having a +Little Lodge,” said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What! Who dared say that of me? It is false!” +cried Eleanor, furious to find she had been found out.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 304.png --> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And we have a large Council Ring there, and a +ready-made fire-place,” said Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I think I can eat a morsel, if coaxed hard enough,” +said Jane, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I can eat everything in sight—even the grass,” +declared Billy.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You won’t have to stoop to the meek little blades, +Billy, as we brought plenty of sandwiches and cake,” +said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">As they enjoyed the luncheon brought from home, +Miss Miller asked: “Who would like to visit the +gardens after we’re through with refreshments?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, yes; I can’t tell an onion from a gooseberry,” +laughed Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“You ought to if you did your cookery work properly +this winter,” Miss Miller reproved.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What’s this, Billy?” asked Elizabeth.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, that’s a mountain maple.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“What was the grove we came through last night?” +said she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Sugar maples for maple syrup! Don’t I know! +I’ve tapped them enough when out with Fred,” giggled +Billy.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What are they, Miss Miller?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“That is water-cress—would you like to gather it?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Water-cress! Oh, I love it in salad!” cried +May.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then pull off your shoes and stockings and wade in +and gather all you want. We’ll have it instead of lettuce +this noon.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">That afternoon, they began weaving mats on the +looms constructed that morning. As they were working +for <em class="italics">coups</em> they applied themselves carefully to the +work. Even the Little Lodge tried the mat weaving +but soon wearied of it.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It seems so silly to waste time on this stuff when +you really do not need them or want them for anything,” +said she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We’re not weaving a doormat but working for an +honour,” retorted May.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But it is foolish—an empty honour,” laughed +she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I never think anything foolish that creates a desire +to do perfect work, or apply yourself and overcome +impatience,” said Miss Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">“But where’s the honour come in?” insisted +Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It is an honour always to follow the Bible’s +injunction—‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it +with thy might.’”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, you’re talking of religion—this is different,” +argued Eleanor, not to be silenced.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, weaving grass mats won’t count,” scorned +Eleanor, pushing at her badly woven mat impatiently.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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?</p> +<p class="pnext">“In Woodcraft, it is not the grass mat we weave +that counts for the <em class="italics">coup</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">Eleanor lifted her delicate eyebrows with a disdainful +manner and pretended to stifle a yawn as she +gazed away to Pine Nob.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 309.png --> +<p class="pnext">Eleanor noticed the silence after a time and remarked:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Have you girls lost your tongues?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why-hy, no-o! I guess we were thinking.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Thinking—what of?” wondered she.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 310.png --> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The girls expected the visitors about noon, but it +was almost two o’clock before a maddening sound +reached them.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Good gracious! That isn’t <em class="italics">our</em> siren!” cried +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Nor ours—and it isn’t the Remingtons’, either,” +said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 311.png --> +<p class="pnext">“Did you ever see such a crowd?” exclaimed May, +as the visitors jumped out and looked about.</p> +<p class="pnext">“‘Everybody and his uncle’ came, I guess!” +laughed Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And in jitneys! Isn’t it a scream?” added Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 312.png --> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-sixteenthe-adirondack-camp"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id17">CHAPTER SIXTEEN—THE ADIRONDACK CAMP</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Ha! Who knows what this is—don’t tell them, +Billy!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Do you know—it smells like mint of some sort?” +said Nita, sniffing at the green leaves.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s sassafras. The juice of these leaves flavours +the chewing gum Zan told us of in her essay,” said the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then it is used for candy, too,” added Billy.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, and peppermint and birch found in these +woods can be used for flavouring, too,” said Mrs. +Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Did I hear you say we had all the makings of some +candy the first rainy day?” laughed Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Having the flavouring at hand—why not?” retorted +Jane, well knowing the Brownies would take up +the cry.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Run everybody, or we’ll have to swim back!” +cried Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Run for the house—not for the camp! Remember +that sassafras candy!” merrily shouted Jane.</p> +<!-- - - -File: 314.png --> +<p class="pnext">So the first day at Woodchuck Camp ended with a +candy-pull and sticky hands and faces of Wako Tribe +members.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Oh, yes, let’s!” replied the girls who had built the +cabin at Wickeecheokee Camp.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Won’t it be awfully hard work?” queried Anne.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“One can read books in the Winter but who wants +to do it in camp?” scorned Hilda.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Miss Miller heard the conversation and was on guard +at once. “Who is your favourite author, Eleanor?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have so many, I hardly can tell,” said the girl, +not aware of the Guide’s intentions to draw her out.</p> +<p class="pnext">“What style of book do you prefer? Travel, history, +or love stories?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“When that box of books arrives, Eleanor, will you +allow me to look them over first?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Why, how queer you are, Miss Miller! Everyone +says the authors of those stories make fortunes +out of everything written!” Eleanor defended.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">Eleanor smiled ironically and looked at Zan. “Isn’t +she the funniest thing!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">And that is how the name “Boss” began for the +Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Exactly!” replied the Guide, looking about at the +hungry, eager faces of the members.</p> +<p class="pnext">A call for “Boss” from Tim, who was assisting in +the hauling of the logs, interrupted further comment +at that time.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Yes, a cellar must be excavated if only a foot, or +two feet deep. Otherwise the floor will soon be +mouldy and damp.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Didn’t the time fly?” asked May, in surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">“It always does when one is pleasantly employed,” +added Mrs. Hubert, complimenting the Tribe on the +work accomplished.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’d like to tack a few sheets of tar paper on the +outside before stopping work,” ventured Elena.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Where can we find any?” wondered Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll show you in the morning,” replied Miss +Miller.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">This work was great fun and was finished by noon. +Then the question of windows and door came up.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I have two sashes in the garage left over from the +addition built to the house last year,” suggested +Tim.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Then we will have to make real frames?” asked +Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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 <em class="italics">she</em> could do it—it was so easy!</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ll put the box of books in here and you girls +can help yourselves,” said Eleanor, generously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“How about it—did they come?” asked Zan, +curiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Tim said the box was at the station and he is going +to bring it in the morning,” replied Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<p class="pfirst">“Dear Ella:</p> +<p class="pnext">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,“</p> +<p class="attribution">—— Lovingly, +<span class="small-caps">Mother.</span>”</p> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“Are you jesting, Miss Miller?” wondered Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I’ve read most of her books and I never saw anything +bad. They were grand—and full of wonderful +romance!” defended Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<p class="pnext">“But these books are not sex stuff!” cried Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Just as bad. And their influence is the same as +that created by drink or dope.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“If you had sought in the house you would have +found a great bookcase full!” retorted Jane, angry at +implied oversight.</p> +<p class="pnext">“We-el, yes, I saw them afterward. While I was +waiting for my box to come, I read a few,” admitted +Eleanor.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, what was it—did you like ’em?” asked Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Kid story! Well, there are more grown-ups and +parents enjoy those kind of books than kids, let me tell +you!” said Jane.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And you will find many more such books in that +case, too, Eleanor,” added Mrs. Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Miss Miller, we want a Grand Council if they +are all coming here. Why not invite other friends?” +said Zan.</p> +<p class="pnext">“The ride is too expensive by train, and few have +cars, you must remember,” said the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, then, let’s get up some new dances or games, +anyway,” suggested Nita.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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?</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">The entire dance was very well done, and the admiring +audience applauded loudly for an encore, but +Miss Miller said:</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“And let me add: Nita and Zan can claim a coup +for that dancing costume,” said the Guide.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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!</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">“It’s a wonder Mr. Haskins found beds for you +all!” added Mrs. Hubert, chuckling at reminiscences.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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!”</p> +<!-- - - -File: 328.png --> +<p class="pnext">“There’s the lake—don’t draw on the limited supply +of rain-water from the pump!” laughed Mrs. +Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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:</p> +<p class="pnext">“Well, I guess they had a good time at this camp?”</p> +<p class="pnext">“They certainly did—a glorious Summer and filled +with good work,” replied Mrs. Remington.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.</p> +<p class="pnext">“I may not show it but I feel it,” responded Mrs. +Hubert.</p> +<p class="pnext">“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.”</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="center pnext">THE END</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst"><strong class="bold">This Isn’t All!</strong></p> +<p class="pnext">Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have +made in this book?</p> +<p class="pnext">Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures +and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same +author?</p> +<p class="pnext">On the <em class="italics">reverse side</em> 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.</p> +<p class="pnext"><strong class="bold">Don’t throw away the Wrapper</strong></p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">GIRL SCOUTS SERIES</p> +<p class="pnext">By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</p> +<p class="pnext">Author of the “Polly Brewster Books”</p> +<p class="pnext">Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated</p> +<p class="pnext">Each Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GROSSET & DUNLAP. <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES</p> +<p class="pnext">By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</p> +<p class="pnext">Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT</div> +<div class="line">POLLY AND ELEANOR</div> +<div class="line">POLLY IN NEW YORK</div> +<div class="line">POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD</div> +<div class="line">POLLY’S BUSINESS VENTURE</div> +<div class="line">POLLY’S SOUTHERN CRUISE</div> +<div class="line">POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA</div> +<div class="line">POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST</div> +<div class="line">POLLY IN ALASKA</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</p> +<p class="pnext">By LAURA LEE HOPE</p> +<p class="pnext">Author of the “Bobbsey Twins,” “Bunny Brown” Series, Etc.</p> +<p class="pnext">Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">These tales take in the various adventures participated +in by several bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE;</div> +<div class="line">Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE;</div> +<div class="line">Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR;</div> +<div class="line">Or, The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP;</div> +<div class="line">Or, Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA;</div> +<div class="line">Or, Wintering in the Sunny South.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW;</div> +<div class="line">Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND;</div> +<div class="line">Or, A Cave and What it Contained.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE;</div> +<div class="line">Or, Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE;</div> +<div class="line">Or, Doing Their Best For the Soldiers.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT;</div> +<div class="line">Or, A Wreck and A Rescue.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE;</div> +<div class="line">Or, The Hermit of Moonlight Falls.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE;</div> +<div class="line">Or, The Girl Miner of Gold Run.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE;</div> +<div class="line">Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD;</div> +<div class="line">Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock.</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS</p> +<p class="pnext">By LAURA LEE HOPE</p> +<p class="pnext">Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by THELMA GOOCH</p> +<p class="pnext">Every Volume Complete in Itself</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE; Or, Facing the Great World.</p> +<p class="pnext">A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S QUEER INHERITANCE; Or, The Worth of a Name.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE’S GREAT PROBLEM; Or, Face to Face With a Crisis.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN’S STRANGE BOARDER; Or, The Girl From Bronx Park.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION; Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS</p> +<p class="pnext">Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.</p> +<p class="pnext">Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER</div> +<div class="line">BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE</div> +<div class="line">GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD</div> +<div class="line">GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL</div> +<div class="line">JOAN: JUST GIRL</div> +<div class="line">JOAN’S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE</div> +<div class="line">CONNIE LORING’S AMBITION</div> +<div class="line">CONNIE LORING’S DILEMMA</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS</p> +<p class="pnext">Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE MARJORIE BOOKS</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">MARJORIE’S VACATION</div> +<div class="line">MARJORIE’S BUSY DAYS</div> +<div class="line">MARJORIE’S NEW FRIEND</div> +<div class="line">MARJORIE IN COMMAND</div> +<div class="line">MARJORIE’S MAYTIME</div> +<div class="line">MARJORIE AT SEACOTE</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">TWO LITTLE WOMEN</div> +<div class="line">TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE</div> +<div class="line">TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<blockquote><div> +<div class="line-block outermost"> +<div class="line">DICK AND DOLLY</div> +<div class="line">DICK AND DOLLY’S ADVENTURES</div> +</div> +</div></blockquote> +<p class="pfirst">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS</p> +<p class="pnext">By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE</p> +<p class="pnext">Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by +WALTER S. ROGERS</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL</p> +<p class="pnext">Happy days at home, helping mamma and the washerlady. And Honey +Bunch helped the house painters too—or thought she did.</p> +<p class="pnext">HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY</p> +<p class="pnext">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!</p> +<p class="pnext">HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM</p> +<p class="pnext">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?</p> +<p class="pnext">HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">THE RIDDLE CLUB BOOKS</p> +<p class="pnext">By ALICE DALE HARDY</p> +<p class="pnext">Individual Colored Wrappers. Attractively Illustrated.</p> +<p class="pnext">Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE RIDDLE CLUB AT HOME</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE RIDDLE CLUB IN CAMP</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE RIDDLE CLUB THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">THE RIDDLE CLUB AT SUNRISE BEACH</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<hr class="docutils"/> +<p class="pfirst">THE JERRY TODD SERIES</p> +<p class="pnext">By LEO EDWARDS</p> +<p class="pnext">Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers For Each Story</p> +<p class="pnext">Every Volume Complete in Itself</p> +<p class="pnext">Detective stories for boys!</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY</p> +<p class="pnext">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?</p> +<p class="pnext">JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE-COLORED CAT</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN</p> +<p class="pnext">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.</p> +<p class="pnext">JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG</p> +<p class="pnext">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!</p> +<p class="pnext">GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class="small-caps">Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> +<div class="vspace" style="height: 5em"> +</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 35600 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |