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.. meta::  
   :PG.Id: 35600
   :PG.Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City
   :PG.Released: 2011-03-17
   :PG.Rights: Public Domain
   :PG.Producer: Roger Frank
   :PG.Producer: the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
   :DC.Creator: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
   :DC.Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City
   :DC.Language: en
   :DC.Created: 1918
   :coverpage: images/cover.jpg

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THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY
===============================

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   This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
   almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
   re-use it under the terms of the `Project Gutenberg License`_
   included with this eBook or online at
   http://www.gutenberg.org/license.

   

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      Title: The Woodcraft Girls in the City
      
      Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
      
      Release Date: March 17, 2011 [EBook #35600]
      
      Language: English
      
      Character set encoding: UTF-8

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   DECORATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL.

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   | :xl:`The`
   | :xl:`Woodcraft Girls`
   | :xl:`in the City`
   | 
   | BY
   | 
   | LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
   | 
   | AUTHOR OF
   | :sm:`THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP,`
   | :sm:`LITTLE WOODCRAFTER’S BOOK,`
   | :sm:`THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS, Etc.`

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   | ILLUSTRATED
   | 
   | NEW YORK
   | 
   | GROSSET & DUNLAP
   | 
   | PUBLISHERS
   | 
   | COPYRIGHT, 1918,
   | BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
   | 
   | PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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Acknowledgments are made to Mrs. M. F. Hoisington
for the photographs; to G. Shirmer, Music Publishers,
for “Our America”; to W. V. Becker for the legends
from his “Folk-lore Stories”; to *Christian Science Sentinel*
for “Items of Interest,” and to other friends who
co-operated to make this book interesting to young
readers.

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.. contents:: Contents
   :backlinks: entry
   :depth: 2

.. ---File: 009.png

CHAPTER ONE—CAMPING IN THE CITY
===============================

“Girls—guess what?” exclaimed Zan Baker, a
few days after the return of the Woodcraft
Band from their summer camp on Wickeecheokee
Farm.

“Goodness only knows what you have to tell now!”
laughed Jane Hubert, another of the five girls who
founded Wako Tribe.

“Well, I got it direct, so the truth hasn’t been
turned or twisted by any one of you girls before it
was passed along,” retorted Zan, with a gleam of
mischief in her eyes.

“Oh, is that so! Well let me tell you this much:
if I had the rare imagination that you have, Zan, I’d
compete with Jules Verne,” replied Hilda Alvord, the
matter-of-fact member of the Band.

“Judging from the talent Zan has in telling stories
it won’t surprise us very much to hear she is a popular
authoress,” teased Nita Brampton, the social aspirant
of the group.

“I’ll illustrate Zan’s books,” quickly added Elena
Marsh, the fifth member of the Woodcrafters.

“Sort of shine in my reflected glory, eh?” laughed
Zan, good-naturedly, for all the girls enjoyed this
form of badinage.

“Girls, girls! This isn’t hearing the ‘wextry’ news
Zan holds cornered! Give her a chance, won’t you?”
begged Nita.

“It’s this: Miss Miller wants us to have tea with
her, to discuss plans for our Winter Camp and to consider
the advisability of admitting another Band so
we can apply for a Charter of our Wako Tribe,” announced
Zan, with due satisfaction.

“When is the party?” eagerly questioned her
hearers.

“Friday afternoon about four; and she also said
that if we cared to invite some of the other girls who
are crazy to join Woodcraft to meet us in the evening
to hear our Summer Reports read, she thought it might
give them a fine opportunity to really understand what
Woodcraft did for us during the few months we spent
in Camp,” explained Zan.

“Miss Miller can count on me being there right
on time!” declared Jane, with a determined bob of
her head.

“Me too!” added Nita.

“It isn’t likely Hilda and I are going to be absent,”
laughed Elena.

.. ---File: 011.png

Thus it came about that promptly at four o’clock
on Friday afternoon the five happy girls stood waiting
at the door of the apartment occupied by their Woodcraft
Guide. As Miss Miller’s professional business
in life was teaching physical culture to the High School
girls at the gymnasium of Clinton High, the honourary
office as Guide in Woodcraft was more like play
to the efficient instructor.

Immediately after the bell rang to announce the
visitors, the door was opened and a cheery voice called,
“Come right in, girls.”

“Dear me, Miss Miller, isn’t it just too hot for
anything? And after our lovely cool Bluff down at
Wickeecheokee!” sighed Nita, as soon as they were
seated in the front room.

“I will admit that city life certainly is an unpleasant
change from camping in the woods,” replied Miss
Miller, taking the hats from her girls and handing
them each a fan.

“I couldn’t sleep a wink last night in our stuffy
city rooms!” exclaimed Hilda who lived with her
mother and younger brother in the ordinary regulation
flat.

“I didn’t either. I just gasped all night for some
air,” added Elena.

“Well what are we going to do? We can’t move
the Bluff to the City and we live in so-called modern
homes where the only windows open front and back—all
except Jane’s and my house where there is an extra
city lot on the side so we can have light from additional
windows on the sides,” commented Zan,
thoughtfully.

“It is odd that you girls should speak of this matter
the very first thing, because it is one of the things I
wanted to talk over with you before any new members
join our Band. If you all approve of the plan
I thought out it not only will give us air enough at
night but will offer the new Woodcraft members an
opportunity to win their *coups* for sleeping out-of-doors
for the required number of nights,” said the
Guide.

“Oh do tell us what it is?” cried Zan.

“It must take its place in the order of business,”
rejoined Miss Miller; “now let us open Council in
the regular way, girls.”

“It won’t seem much like a Council in the regular
way without a fire and the preliminary lighting of it,”
complained Nita, who was the fault-finder of the
Band but was fast out-growing such tendencies.

“Why I thought you girls all knew how to light
the indoors Council Fire without the slightest danger
of destroying anything about you!” commented Miss
Miller, as she went to a small cabinet in the corner,
where most of her Woodcraft material was
kept.

Taking out a small shallow pan and an earthen
bowl, the Guide displayed a squirrel’s nest and some
wild-wood material in the pan. “I brought this from
the farm for just such an occasion,” said she, smiling,
as she placed the earthen bowl on a bread-board and
handed the pan to Hilda, thus silently authorising
her to help make fire for that Council.

“Does the bread-board signify anything?” laughed
Jane, the tease of the group.

“Not having the logs or imitation fire-place for
the centre of the Council Ring, I thought the next
best thing would be a square of wood upon which
to stand the dish. Then too, the bread-board gave
me a good idea which I will mention later,” said the
Guide.

While she explained, Miss Miller had gone to the
cupboard for the rubbing sticks and the necessary
block and fire-pan of wood. All being ready for the
ceremony, Zan, who was Chief of the Band and
Tribe, began.

The usual call to join in a Council was said and
the girls sat down upon straw mats in a circle about
the fire-board. Miss Miller proceeded to make fire
with the rubbing sticks and as the faint spiral of
smoke was seen to rise from the tiny heap of wood-powder,
the Woodcrafters called “How!”

The smoke thickened and the pungent odour of
balsam permeated the room. When the spark hidden
under the black dust ignited the dry tinder held close
to it and a tiny fork of flame shot up, the girls exclaimed,
“How! How!” which is the Woodcraft
sign of approval.

The fire was now placed in the earthen dish and
as the wild-wood tinder, that was placed on top of
the fire flared up, the dish was placed on the board.

.. ---File: 014.png

“We will now sing the Omaha Tribal Prayer,”
continued the Chief, and the girls stood up to sing
while the fire burned in the centre of their Council
Ring.

Elena Marsh, the artistic member of the Band and
the chosen Tally Keeper, now read the reports and
mentioned a few items of interest that had occurred
since leaving the Camp on the Bluff.

“Now we can hear the Guide’s important plan,”
said Zan, who as Chief of the Tribe, was not compelled
to ask permission to address the Council as
all other members have to do.

“O Chief! Even as our Guide spoke of a plan,
I had a wild idea flash through my mind and I wonder
if it comes anywhere near to being Miss Miller’s
idea,” said Jane.

“Share it with your brethren and if it isn’t too
wild to harness we may train it to do good service
for us,” said Zan.

“Well, you see, there’s Nita and you and me—we
all have goodly sized grass-places back of our
houses. Why couldn’t we raise some tents as long
as the weather is good and camp out there at night?”
said Jane exultantly, for she thought she had anticipated
the Guide’s plan.

“That’s all right, Jane, but maybe Hilda and Elena
and Miss Miller wouldn’t care to trot from their
homes every night to sleep in our back yards,” replied
Zan, ludicrously as usual.

The others laughed at the picture outlined by her
words, and Miss Miller added: “I think we have a
more important problem than camps just now. Let
us decide about the new Band first and discuss the
out-door sleeping question afterward.”

“I thought you wanted us to settle the matter before
the new members join us to-night?” returned
Nita.

“So I do, but let us first find out who the new
members will be, and then we can better judge
whether they will accept this camping-out-doors idea,”
answered the Guide.

“Frances and Anne Mason told me to be sure and
vote them in at this meeting. They are just crazy
to join,” declared Jane Hubert.

“And Eleanor Wilbur wants to join us,” said Nita.

“Mildred Howell told Fiji to tell me not to forget
and propose her,” ventured Zan.

“And I know that Ethel Clifford wants to belong
to our first Band,” added Elena.

“Well girls, you each have your new member to
win a *coup*, but I haven’t much time out of school
to meet the girls, as there is so much work to do at
home. Jack Hubert said this noon that May Randall
was asking for me before I met him. If she will let
me propose her I can keep up with you on this *coup*,”
said Hilda, whose mother was a trained nurse, thus
letting most of the care of the home fall upon Hilda’s
shoulders.

“She told me that that is why she wants to see
you,” said Jane.

.. ---File: 016.png

“That is very considerate of May Randall,” commended
Miss Miller.

“Yes, and it recommends her for membership,”
added Zan.

The other girls agreed with this suggestion, and
the Guide then said: “That will make eleven girls
in all—counting you five. I think that ought to be
enough to work with this Fall,” and Miss Miller began
to write down the names of the six members proposed.

“But there are loads of other girls who want to
join us, Miss Miller,” objected Zan.

“I suppose there are, but better not add too many
new members at one time, Zan; it will tend to divert
your attention from your own progress, and individual
work is most important to you at this period in Woodcraft.
Were you all experienced or old members of
the organisation, I would approve of enlisting the full
number of members required for a Tribe,” explained
the Guide.

“How long will we have to wait before we can be
a Tribe?” asked Nita, petulantly.

“If this experiment with the new members turns
out well by Christmas, I should think we might start
the second Band,” replied Miss Miller.

“Goodness, can’t we start a Tribe before that?”
cried Jane, impatiently.

“I thought the same as Jane—that we would be
Wickeecheokee Band and the new members be
Suwanee Band, and then the two Bands get the
charter for Wako Tribe,” added Zan, in a disappointed
tone.

“Some Woodcrafters have done that and found to
their despair that the new Band knew nothing of the
work or laws and were continually calling upon the
first Band for help, but not being under the old Chief
the first Band had nothing to say about disciplining
or advising them. If the new members are subject
to our Chief, they have to obey orders and can watch
our methods of work for their guidance, and that
will spare us many useless words and much valuable
time.”

“Well, as usual, Miss Miller wins the day! Her
reasons are as sensible as helpful,” commented Jane.

“Good-by Suwanee, I’ll meet you next year!”
sighed Zan, wafting a kiss with the tips of her fingers
to an imaginary Band.

“Girls, wherever did you find that name? I
hunted through an Indian Dictionary of names but
couldn’t find a thing like it,” asked Miss Miller, laughingly.

“If a simple little symbolic name like that stumps
you, Miss Miller, what will happen when you join
the Blackfeet Tribe?” laughed Jane.

“Miss Miller, you know the usual formula given
in charades—they begin thus: ‘My first is part of
a name, you see, my second is also a part, O gee!’
and so on,” explained Zan, while the other girls
laughed.

The Guide puckered her brow for a few moments
and the visitors watched eagerly for her to catch Zan’s
meaning. Then she laughed, too.

“I see! Su—comes from Suzanne, the name of our
Chief, but so seldom used that I forgot she ever had
another handle to it than just ‘Zan.’ I must give
up the rest of the charade, however.”

“Maybe it is buried so deep that the uninitiated
cannot dig it up, but we girls thought it quite simple:
‘Su’ for the Chief, as you said; ‘Wa’ for Wako
Tribe—plain enough; and ‘nee’ for all the other
members who are willing to change their names from
white man’s ways to the Indian’s with its wealth of
meaning and beauty.”

As Zan explained, the Guide shook her head as if
to admit that it certainly had been buried far beyond
her power to dig.

“But it sounds pretty, girls,” said she finally.

“Mayhap we will have an improvement on that
name before the Band comes into existence, who
knows!” sighed Jane.

“The sooner we start with the new members, then,
the quicker we will know about the second Band,”
retorted Zan.

“Shall we vote now to invite the six girls mentioned?”
asked Elena with Tally Book ready to
inscribe the names.

The motion was made and seconded that the names
of the six applicants be written on the roll and that
evening they would be questioned and admitted if
acceptable to the Chief and Guide.

.. ---File: 019.png

“Now Miss Miller, if there is nothing else to consider
let us hear about your idea for a camp in the
city,” said Zan.

“When I came into this apartment yesterday afternoon,
its stuffiness struck me much the same as you
girls said: ‘Close and airless.’ The windows were
all open but that didn’t seem to make any difference.
While still gasping for the cool breezes of Wickeecheokee
I went to my den in the back room and as
I stood by the window that opens out on the roof of
the extension downstairs, I made a discovery! Last
night I slept as comfortably out-of-doors as if on the
Bluff, and this morning the English sparrows woke
me with their chattering under the eaves three stories
above.”

“Miss Miller! Do tell us what you did?” exclaimed
the curious girls.

“Well, first I took a crex rug from the floor and
laid it on the extension roof to protect the tin from
the feet of a cot-bed. Then I carried out a four-fold
screen and with the smaller three-fold screen from
my den, I made suitable protection about the cot. The
camp-cot that I keep in case of an unexpected guest
remaining over-night was small and light, and provided
me a good place to rest. The whole affair,
screens, cot, and mat, took up but half of the small
roof and early this morning I slipped back through
the open window and dressed, having enjoyed a fine
cooling breeze all night.”

“Oh!” sounded the surprised five girls.

.. ---File: 020.png

“You must have slept like a multi-millionaire on
his sea-going yacht,” laughed Zan.

“I did, and without fear of going to the bottom
by a torpedo from a submarine,” retorted Miss
Miller.

“We have a wonderful roof on the back verandah—all
decked and railed in,” remarked Jane, mentally
picturing a row of tents on that desirable camp-site.

“I could use the rear porch that opens from our
dining-room windows,” added Nita.

“We have a box-like porch on the second floor that
has a back-stair going down from it. It is screened
in and can be used for a sleeping-place, I s’pose,”
murmured Elena.

“Our flat-house was built soon after Noah landed
so we have no sleeping-porch, but I might hang a cot
from the fire-escape—until the police make me take
it down,” ventured Hilda, with a thoughtful manner.

The others shouted with merriment at the idea of
big muscular Hilda swinging from a fire-escape over
the street.

“I have my lodging all planned out,” now said
Zan. “I shall utilise that square of side-piazza roof
over the entrance to Dad’s office. It has a two-foot
high coping about it and that makes it perfectly safe
for me in the dark. I can use a screen, too, to hide
the cot from the street.”

“You girls have all caught my last-night’s idea so
suddenly that I haven’t had an opportunity to continue
explaining,” interrupted Miss Miller.

.. ---File: 021.png

“Proceed, fair lady, and we will hold our peace,”
said Jane, giggling.

“As I enjoyed the reviving night-breezes and
thought of you poor girls tossing in warm rooms, I
wondered how we might have an out-door place and
still feel secluded from prying eyes. Then I remembered
the small tents we left with Bill on the farm.
Those of you who have roof-space can erect a tent
just outside your bed-room window. The tent-opening
can be directly opposite the window so that you can
slip in and out without dread of being seen by the
public. What do you think of it?”

“It’s great!” exclaimed Zan, enthusiastically.

“Not for me,” grumbled Hilda.

“Nor for me,” added Nita, “’cause Mama won’t
think of letting me have anything so original as a
camp-tent within a mile of our house—let alone on
the front roof!”

“If I speak to your father, who is so delighted at
the improvement in your health, he may induce her
to look at the plan with different conclusions than
these you fear,” ventured the Guide.

“Maybe so; Papa said he would do anything on
earth to have me keep up this Woodcraft stunt,” admitted
Nita.

“Zan, do you think your father will object if we
send to Bill for those small tents?” now asked Miss
Miller.

“Mercy no! Dad won’t say a word if you pitch
tents all along our entire roof and on the front piazza,
too, just so there’s room between the canvas cots for
his sick patients to find their way to his office-door.”

“The public will think Dr. Baker has opened a
Sanatorium,” laughed Jane.

“Or a Fresh Air Clinic for Flat-Dwellers!” added
Hilda.

The others laughed provokingly when they saw Zan
flush for they all liked to tease her.

Miss Miller saw the sudden gleam of anger flash
from Zan’s eyes and quickly said: “Girls, I am now
going to indite that letter to Bill Sherman for the
tents—what shall I say and who wants one?”

“One for Nita, one for Elena, and one for me—and
of course Zan wants one,” said Jane.

“I can use the same one Fiji and Bob had at the
beach this Summer,” replied Zan, brightening again.
“Jane, why don’t you use Jack’s, then the extras can
go to Miss Miller and Hilda.”

“But Zan, I haven’t a place to camp,” said Hilda,
dolefully.

“Then I s’pose you’ll have to borrow some of my
roof,” returned Zan, in a matter-of-fact voice.

“Oh Zan, really! I won’t mind walking back and
forth every morning and night if you don’t mind my
using the roof!” sighed Hilda with relief so great
that the others laughed.

The letter for Bill Sherman, the farmer at Wickeecheokee,
was given to Zan to mail if her father approved
of the camp-plan, and then the Guide excused
herself and went out to see if the tea was ready to
serve her guests.

That evening the six girls came in and Woodcraft
reports were read; then they were invited to join the
Band and the conditions of membership plainly outlined.
Needless to add, that everyone agreed eagerly
to abide by the rules and regulations read to them.

On the way home that evening, however, Eleanor
Wilbur whispered to Frances and Anne Mason who
were walking with her:

“Of course this Woodcraft fun will be fine when
we haven’t anything better to do, but you don’t intend
losing any other fun or meeting because of it, do
you?”

“Why we are going to go to the regular Councils
and meet with the other girls for work or play,
whether it happens when we have invitations for
other parties or fun, or not,” declared Frances, the
elder of the two sisters.

“Oh!” said Eleanor, a trifle disconcerted by the
reply. Then after a few moments of silence she said
confidentially: “Don’t you think Zan Baker takes
an awful lot for granted from us girls? Just see how
she took the initiative in everything to-night.”

“But Zan Baker is the Chief of the Band and has
to take the lead in Tribal affairs,” explained Anne.

“Oh yes, I know that, but you don’t understand
what I mean. I think she is too domineering in her
office and Miss Miller certainly shows a great partiality
for her. Of course everyone knows that Miss Miller
bows humbly at the Doctor’s shrine just because he
got her the position at High School Gym!” said
Eleanor, significantly.

“Why Ella! It isn’t true! I know for a fact that
Dr. Baker merely suggested to the Board that Miss
Miller had resigned from college where she had
taught for years. Most of us knew what a treasure
she is, and the Board were only too glad to have her
consider our school, because the salary is half what
she was accustomed to receive,” defended Frances.

Eleanor kept silence, but Anne added: “And we
girls feel sorry for Miss Miller because she gave up
that college position when her mother was left alone
and needed her at home!”

The afternoon following the meeting at Miss
Miller’s home, Hilda fairly bounced into the gymnasium
where the Guide could generally be found for
some time after school-hours.

“Oh, Miss Miller, I have the loveliest camp-ground!”

“Better than the fire-escape?” laughed the Guide.

“Better than the roof of a porch! And the funny
thing about it is that the janitor of our building came
up himself and said: ‘Miss Hilda, I feel sorry for
you these hot nights, so you can sleep on the roof if
you like!’

“Miss Miller, I never breathed a word to him about
a tent, but he took me up and showed me where I
could pitch a small tent between the great water-tank
and the square box-like place where the roof-steps
come up. A stone parapet almost three feet high
runs all around the roof, you know, so there isn’t
any danger of my falling off even if I walked in my
sleep—which I never do.”

“I think that is fine for you, Hilda,” smiled Miss
Miller, but she did not add that she had spoken secretly
to the janitor that morning on her way to school.

“Mother has no objections to this if I will take
Paul up with me. Paul thinks the plan a dandy one
so he will be benefited too. I will place a screen about
his cot or mine so that I will have privacy.”

“Or you could hang a curtain from a ring at one
side of the tent to one at the opposite side. Then
Paul could pull or push the muslin to suit himself,
and it would not be ruined by rain,” suggested Miss
Miller.

“I’m so glad that we live on the top floor of the
house, ’cause it will be an easy matter to run up or
down the short flight of stairs going to the roof.
When I told mother about it she laughed and said:
‘You always used to grumble about climbing the four
flights from the street, but I know how much pleasanter
it is to be on top instead of under a noisy family
in a flat.’”

“Your mother is quite right, and then the air is
always better the higher one goes, and the rents are
lower—the last not a mean consideration, either,”
added the Guide.

Jane Hubert came in just then, and her smile signified
good news. “Father never made the slightest
objection to the camp idea but he has a still better
one for me. He says he will erect Jack’s tent on the
lawn under a group of birches that grow near the
high brick wall at the back of our place.”

Then Nita came in. “Miracles will never cease,
Miss Miller. Not only is Mama quite reconciled to
my camping on the first-story extension roof where
there is a concrete flooring and a parapet to three
sides, but she is taking an active part in rearranging
my bed-room so that I can step in and out of the
French windows without falling over cushioned
window-seats and gim-cracks standing about.”

“This is the best news yet, Nita! I felt sure the
other girls would have no trouble gaining permission
to camp out. Now we only have to hear from Elena,
as Zan started in to arrange her tent this noon, I
hear.”

“Oh, Elena told me that she could have her tent
on the roof of the side-verandah as planned instead
of on the boxed-in porch at the back,” hurriedly informed
Jane.

“Thank goodness we will be able to enjoy the
Spirit’s blessing of sweet fresh air that is free for all
mankind,” said Miss Miller, earnestly.

“To say nothing of enjoying a continuation of
Woodcraft out-of-doors right in a great city,” added
Jane.

.. ---File: 027.png

CHAPTER TWO—THE NEW MEMBERS
===========================

Miss Miller had secured permission to use the
gymnasium for the weekly Council Meetings
of the Woodcrafters, so she was already there when
the members of Wickeecheokee Band and the new
members appeared to hold Council.

“Girls, I bought some straw mats at the ten-cent
store that I thought we could use about the Council
Fire,” said the Guide, as the girls all congregated
about her desk.

“What about those small logs of wood we worked
at so hard to bark and smooth down?” asked Nita.

“I thought we might make them presentable and
then cut and paint symbolic totems on them to make
them look like genuine Indian seats,” said Miss Miller.

“Aren’t they quite good enough as they are?” said
Eleanor Wilbur, pushing at one of the logs with a
slender foot.

“I thought they were fine when we barked them
but now that we are at home and a better idea has
been given us I approve of following Miss Miller’s
suggestion,” replied Jane.

“Dad brought home some more of those short fire-place
logs when he came back from the farm yesterday.
He says we may want these thin logs for some
other purpose; and besides, since enrolling our new
members we haven’t enough of these present logs for
all to use. They ought to be uniform so *I* say we use
the mats until we have the thick logs ready to present
the Lodge,” explained Zan.

“Girls—I have an idea!” cried Elena, the artistic.

“Hold fast to it or it’ll get away from you,”
taunted Hilda, jokingly.

“S-sh!” said Zan. “Let her go, Lena.”

“About those thin logs we have on hand: Let’s
build an imitation fire-place for our Council Ring to
make it look as much as possible like one in a woodland
camp!”

“Couldn’t we place our dish of smoking tinder
inside it and make the artifice still better?” asked
Jane.

“Oh I say!” shouted Zan with such emphasis that
everyone jumped, and the speaker laughed.

“Where’s that red tissue paper we had for Decoration
Day trimming of the school auditorium?” asked
Zan.

“You’ll find it in the property-room with the other
stuff,” replied Elena, who had charge of decorations
at school.

“We’ll line the inside of the logs and when the
fire shines through, make it look like a big blaze, eh?”
asked Jane.

“No such thing!” said Zan. “We’ll get the janitor
to change that electric bulb from the chandelier and
drop it, by wire, down to our fire. Then it will shine
as long as we need it.”

“I’ll run and see if the janitor is around. Will he
do it, do you think, Miss Miller?” came from Hilda.

“I think so, he is very obliging, you know,” replied
the Guide.

“And I’ll get the paper,” remarked Elena.

“You won’t need to do that, Lena, because I have
orange crêpe paper in the closet that I bought when
I got the mats. I had much the same idea in mind
for those logs,” said Miss Miller, going to the closet
while one of the girls ran for the janitor.

The care-taker of the building not only changed
the bulb in a short time but assisted Miss Miller in
rolling the logs from the closet to the place where the
Council Ring could be arranged. The girls built up
a square fire-place with a hollow opening in the middle
where the electric bulb soon depended. The paper
was fitted inside the square and when the electric
current was turned on it looked like a glowing fire.

This done, four candles were placed at the fire—one
at each corner of the square to denote the four
corners of the earth.

“I purchased extra long candles so they would burn
two hours, at least. Now that we have the electric
bulb we need not waste the extra candles for fire-light
but save them for some other occasion,” remarked
Miss Miller.

“Everything ready now for Council?” asked Zan,
looking around at the members.

.. ---File: 030.png

“Everything we can think of,” responded Jane.

“Before we open the Council meeting in the usual
manner I would like our Chief to read from the
Woodcraft Manual for Girls on page 10, where it
speaks of initiations and new members,” requested
Miss Miller, handing the book to Zan.

“‘When brought into some new group such as the
school or club, one is naturally anxious to begin by
making a good impression on the others, by showing
what one can do, proving what one is made of, and
by making clear one’s seriousness in asking to be enrolled.
So also those who form the group: they wish
to know whether the new-comer is made of good stuff,
and is likely to be a valuable addition to their number.
The result is what we call initiation trials, the testing
of a new-comer.

“‘The desire to initiate and be initiated is a very
ancient deep-laid impulse. Handled judiciously and
under the direction of a competent adult guide, it
becomes a powerful force for character building, for
inculcating self-control.

“‘In Woodcraft we carefully select for these try-outs
such tests as demonstrate the character and ability
of the new-comer, and the initiation becomes a real
proof of fortitude, so that the new girl is as keen to
face the trial, as the Tribe she would enter is to
give it.’”

Zan finished reading and looked up to ask: “Is
that all you want me to read, Miss Miller?”

“Just a moment, Zan. I now wish to speak a word
to the new members about what is expected of them.
We will leave the paragraph about the initiation trials
for the last, then the girls will not forget what they
are to do. Read now the paragraph that mentions
the new work for members.”

So Zan continued. “‘After the new member has
learned the Laws and taken the initiation tests, the
first thing to claim her attention is that of qualifying
for the rank of Pathfinder and later of Winyan, then
the Achievements, each with its appropriate badge,
which are described on page 327 of the Manual. In
time she will have a Woodcraft suit, but this may
come later.”

“Now Zan,” interrupted the Guide, “turn over to
page 18 and read (the new members) what we expect
a Wayseeker to do and be. A Wayseeker is the
first order of a Big Lodge Girl’s membership.”

“‘To qualify for a Big Lodge—that is, to enter
as a Wayseeker—one must:

“‘Be over twelve years of age.

“‘Know the twelve Laws and state the advantages
of them.

“‘Take one of the initiations.

“‘Be voted in unanimously by other members of
the group.

“‘Having passed this, the candidate becomes a
Wayseeker and receives the Big Lodge Badge of the
lowest rank, that is with two tassels on it.

“‘The next higher rank is that of Pathfinder,’”
read Zan.

.. ---File: 032.png

“So you see, girls, you six will be Wayseekers if
you pass the trials and fulfil the requirements just read
to you,” said the Guide. “Now Zan, will you please
read from page 24—the meaning of a Council Ring?
Better begin at the bottom of the page where I have
marked the sentence for you.”

Zan turned over the pages till she found the place
indicated and read: “‘Why do we sit in a circle
around a fire? That is an old story and a new
one.

“‘Then, too, a circle is the best way of seating a
group. Each has her place and is so seated as to see
everything and be seen by everybody. As a result
each feels a very real part in the proceedings as they
could not feel if there were corners in which one could
hide. The circle is dignified and it is democratic. It
was with this idea that King Arthur abolished the
old-fashioned long table with two levels, one above
the salt for the noble folk and one below for the common
herd, and founded the Round Table. At his
table all who were worthy to come were on the same
level, were brothers, equal in dignity and responsibility,
and each in honour bound to do his share. The
result was a kindlier spirit, a sense of mutual dependence.

“‘These are the thoughts of our Council Ring.
These are among the reasons why our Council is
always in a circle and if possible around the fire. The
memory of those long-gone days is brought back again
with their simple reverent spirit, their sense of brotherhood,
when we sit as our people used to sit about the
fire and smell the wood-smoke of Council.’”

As Zan concluded, the experienced Woodcrafters
cried: “How! How!”

“I suppose the new members know why we called
our Band Wickeecheokee Band of Wako Tribe of
Woodcrafters?” asked Miss Miller, with a slight nod
in the direction of the six girls.

The new members looked at each other for the
answer and the Guide continued to explain:

“Wickeecheokee is an old Indian name discovered
on the ancient records of the County Seat in New
Jersey where the farm owned by Dr. Baker is located.
The English interpretation of the name means, ‘Crystal
Waters.’ Dr. Baker’s farm where we camped last
Summer has this lovely mountain stream falling down
the steep side to the Bluff which is a rocky ledge over-hanging
a pool of about a hundred yards wide, thence
it rushes on to the Big Bridge near the turnpike road.
That is why the doctor named his farm after the
stream—‘Wickeecheokee.’”

“I wish to goodness we girls could have been there
with you,” sighed Anne Mason.

“‘According to the Constitution of Woodcraft, our
purpose is to learn the out-door life for its worth in
the building up of our bodies and the helping and
strengthening of our souls; that we may go forth with
the seeing eye, and the “thinking hand” to learn the
pleasant ways of the woods and of life, that we may
be made in all wise masters of ourselves; facing life
without flinching, ready to take our part among our
fellows in all the problems which arise, rejoicing when
some trial comes, that the Great Spirit finds us the
rulers of strong souls in their worthy tabernacles.’

“Each one of you girls is past twelve years of age,
so that point is covered. Now we will ascertain who
of the new members know the law, who are acceptable
to this Band, and who can prove worthy according to
the initiation tests. You will all begin at the lowest
rank if accepted in the Band—that of Wayseeker.
Now Zan, read aloud the initiation test from page 11
of our Manual.”

The Chief turned back to the page mentioned and
read: “‘The trial should be approved by the Council
and be given to the candidate when her name is proposed
for membership—that is, posted on the Totem
Pole where it remains for seven suns. In camp a
shorter time may be allowed at the discretion of the
leaders.

*1. Silence.* Keep absolute silence for six hours during
the daytime in camp, while mixing freely with the
life of the camp. In the city keep silence from after
school till bedtime.

*2. Keep Good-natured.* Keep absolutely unruffled
for one day of twelve hours, giving a smiling answer
to all.

*3. Exact Obedience.* For one week give prompt,
smiling obedience to parents, teachers, and those who
have authority over you. This must be certified to
by those in question.

.. ---File: 035.png

*4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article*, such as a
basket, a bench, a bed, a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc.

*5. Sleep out*, without a built roof overhead, for
three nights consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.’

“Now that you have heard what the tests are how
many of you believe you can qualify—answer by raising
your right hand and by the word of Woodcraft
approval?”

The six girls raised six hands and then looked at
each other sheepishly because the word “How”
seemed so meaningless to them.

“I forgot to explain that this word ‘How’ means
‘yes’ or ‘thanks’ or ‘approval,’” hastily added the
Guide.

Then all said “How!” and the other five girls felt
that their new members were doing fine work.

“Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while
we are at it?” asked Zan.

The Guide then demonstrated the sign and action,
saying: “The hand sign of the girls is the ‘Sun in
the heart, rising to the Zenith’—given by the right
hand being placed over the heart, the first finger and
the thumb making a circle, then swinging the forearm
so the hand is level with the forehead, thus—.”

Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with
the meeting.

“In case any of you are not familiar with the
Woodcraft Laws I will read them aloud to you. And
Miss Miller, I would suggest right here, that the new
members write to Headquarters at once and order a
Girl’s Manual. They will need it daily, and I can’t
spare mine, you know. We really couldn’t accomplish
much without this printed Guide of rules and instruction
and guides.”

Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new
members:

“‘*1. Be Brave.* Courage is the noblest of all gifts.

*2. Be Silent*, while your elders are speaking and
otherwise show them deference.

*3. Obey.* Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcraft
Girl.

*4. Be Clean.* Both yourself and the place you live in.

*5. Understand and respect your body.* It is the
temple of the Spirit.

*6. Be a friend of all harmless wild life.* Conserve
the woods and flowers, and especially be ready to fight
wild-fire in forest or in town.

*7. Word of Honour is sacred.*

*8. Play Fair.* Foul play is treachery.

*9. Be Reverent.* Worship the Great Spirit and respect
all worship of Him by others.

*10. Be Kind.* Do at least one act of unbargaining
service every day.

*11. Be Helpful.* Do your share of the work.

*12. Be Joyful.* Seek the joy of being alive.’

These are the twelve laws that every good Woodcrafter
tries to live up to. Now if the Fire Maker
will make fire for our Council, I will explain the rays
that shine from each of the four candles—one at each
corner of the earth.”

.. ---File: 037.png

The Chief waited for Jane, who was Fire Maker
for that meeting, to take the rubbing sticks and when
she stood ready to begin the fire-making, Zan said:

“Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo
Omnee-chee-yaynee-chopi.”

The opening words of Council concluded by the
Chief, Jane placed the fire sticks in their proper position
and began to saw back and forth with the bow
until a tiny spiral of smoke rose from the fire-block.

The Guide watching, said, “Now light we the Council
Fire after the manner of the Red man, even also
as the rubbing together of two trees in the storm-winds
brings forth the fire from the forest wood.”

Jane blew gently upon the small pyramid of black
powder in the fire-pan until the smoke grew thicker.
She then waved it slowly back and forth still blowing
gently until a minute spark glowed under the black
dust. At that the girls all cried:

“How! How!”

Then a handful of inflammable wild-wood material
was touched to the spark and as the smoke curled
upward filling the immediate vicinity with an aromatic
pine odour, a tiny flame shot out.

“How! How!” again chorused the Woodcrafters,
and the tinder now burning brightly, was placed in
the earthen dish and the dish set in the enclosure made
by the logs.

With the flame bursting forth, Miss Miller quoted:
“Now know we that Wakanda the Great Spirit hath
been pleased to smile upon His children, hath sent
down the sacred fire. By this we know He will be
present at our Council, that His wisdom will be with
us.”

After this Zan read again from the Manual:

“‘Four candles are there on the Shrine of this our
symbol fire. And from them reach twelve rays—twelve
golden strands of this the Law we hold.

From the Lamp of Fortitude are these:

*Be Brave.* For fear is the foundation of all ill; unflinchingness
is strength.

*Be Silent.* It is harder to keep silence than to speak
in hour of trial, but in the end it is stronger.

*Obey.* For Obedience means self-control, which is the
sum of the law.

And these are the Rays from Beauty’s Lamp:

*Be Clean.* For there is no perfect beauty without
cleanliness of body, soul, and estate. The body is the
sacred temple of the Spirit, therefore reverence your
body. Cleanliness helps first yourself, then those
around you, and those who keep this law are truly in
their country’s loving service.

*Understand and Respect Your Body.* It is the temple
of the Spirit, for without health can neither strength
nor beauty be.

*Protect All Harmless Wild-life* for the joy its beauty
gives.

And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth:

*Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred.* This is the
law of truth, and anyone not bound by this cannot
be bound; and truth is wisdom.
*Play Fair.* For fair play is truth and foul play is
treachery.

Reverence the Great Spirit, and all worship of Him,
for none have all the truth, and all who reverently
worship have claims on our respect.

And these are the Rays in the Blazing Lamp of
Love:

*Be Kind.* Do at least one act of unbargaining service
every day even as ye would enlarge the crevice whence
a spring runs forth to make its blessings more.

*Be Helpful.* Do your share of the work for the glory
that service brings, for the strength one gets in serving.

*Be Joyful.* Seek the joy of being alive—for every
reasonable gladness you can get or give is treasure
that can never be destroyed, and like the spring-time
gladness doubles, every time with others it is
shared.’“

Zan concluded reading the interesting words of
Woodcraft meaning and the girls murmured “How!”

“Now I will propose the name of each applicant
in turn and the Band must second and approve her
admission to this Tribe if that is their pleasure. As
I call out the name will the girl please stand until the
vote is taken?”

“Frances Mason is the first applicant,” said Miss
Miller.

Frances stood and paid earnest attention to the
next rite but Eleanor Wilbur who sat directly back
of Frances as she stood up, kicked at her ankles
and giggled as if the whole procedure were a huge
joke. Although known to the others, the disrespect
was overlooked at the time.

“Frances, is it your serious desire to become a
member of this Woodcraft Band?” questioned the
Chief.

“It is,” replied Frances, trying hard to keep from
crying out as Eleanor pinched her leg.

“Then learn the laws of the League as well as the
laws of our Band. To memorise the meaning of the
Four Lesser Lights that shine from the shrine of the
Great Light, the Sacred Fire. By taking the initiation
tests as read for your benefit and by being acceptable
to every member of Wickeecheokee Band.

“Are there any present who wish to register a
complaint why Frances should not be admitted to
our Band or the League?” asked Zan, as she looked
around the circle.

No one complained, but a stage whisper was heard
from Eleanor saying: “Everyone’s afraid to speak
even if they do know something against Frances.”

The whisper was disconcerting but Eleanor tittered
as if she thought herself very witty, and as Frances
took her seat beside the rude girl, expecting to give
her a piece of her mind, the Guide stood up.

“O Chief! While you were addressing the new
member, I glanced over the Manual to see if we had
omitted any necessary reading, and I find we have all
made a serious blunder. Whereas we have six applicants
for membership in this Band, the Manual clearly
states that no Band shall have more than ten members.
We will be compelled to drop one of the applicants.”

This unexpected news acted like a bucket of cold
water on the girls as no one wished to be dropped.
After a serious debate, the Chief announced a possible
solution.

“We will post the names of the six girls on the
Totem Pole and at the expiration of the period set
for testing, the one who falls short of the mark must
resign or, at least, wait for the second Band which
will form at Christmastime.”

This plan met with approval and each new member
then and there decided not to be the one left out when
the enrollment came. So the six girls were admitted
on probation.

“Now Chief, post the names on the Totem and we
will stand it near the door where everyone coming in
or going out can read who the applicants are,” said
the Guide.

“I s’pose you are doing that to advertise your
club,” remarked Eleanor, unpleasantly.

“Eleanor Wilbur! A Chump Mark against your
credit, for you are on trial now and must not speak
out of order in Council without giving the Chief the
proper salute and respect,” said Zan, sternly.

“Why how ridiculous of you to give yourself such
airs, Zan Baker! Anyone would think this was business
and not fun!” jeered Eleanor.

“It *is* business I’ll have you understand, and if you
wish to regard it as a butt for your insults or disobedience
you can resign this very minute!” declared
Zan, her eyes snapping fire.

But Eleanor had no desire to resign from the only
thing she knew of where sport for the Winter days
could be had. So she shrugged her shoulders and
sulked.

The other girls were duly advised and then the
Chief ordered the Tally Keeper to enter the record in
the book and to print the paper that was to be posted
on the Totem in as artistic a manner as she could
think of.

“Now before we adjourn, is there any request to
be made in behalf of the Band?” asked the Guide.

“O Chief! I wish to ask a question,” said Nita,
standing.

“Speak, O Sister!” replied Zan.

“I talked of a plan while Elena and I were walking
over here, and she thinks it is fine and dandy! It
will help us to remember the woods and look forward
to a camp next Summer.”

“Not that we need an incentive for that!” laughed
Zan.

“No, but in Winter we’ll find it mighty funny to
sit in this Gym and fancy we are Indians out in the
forests. But follow Elena’s instructions and you’ll
believe you’re at Wickeecheokee all Winter,” replied
Nita, suggestively.

Nita sat down and Elena stood up. “O Chief!
Nita and I wish to propose that we imitate the woods
by scenery. We can buy some cheap cotton or canvas
stuff and paint trees and rocks and the stream like
those at our Summer Camp. We can even go so far
as to have birds singing on the boughs and flying in
the blue sky.”

Elena waited a moment to see the effect of her
announcement and Zan said: “The blue sky seems
to be the limit with your offer!”

The others grinned and Elena frowned momentarily.
“Don’t you think it a good plan?”

“Fine plan for a house-painter. But who under
the sun is willing to stay home for weeks and paint
miles of scenery?” retorted Zan.

“Why it won’t be much trouble. Nita and I will
offer to paint the scenes if you girls will make the
uprights to fasten the stuff on when finished,” said
Elena, anxiously.

“Have you figured out how much this may cost
us, Nita?” asked the Guide.

“No because I don’t know how large we may
need it. But any cheap cotton goods will do, you
know.”

“Miss Miller, we might find out about that,” said
Elena.

“The new members can begin first lessons in carpentry,
too,” added Jane.

After discussing the idea, and with Elena’s added
description of how beautiful it would look—to have
Pine Nob showing against the sky in the distance, and
Old Baldy back of Fiji’s cave, the Woodcrafters
unanimously declared that they must have that scenery
or lose all interest in the Winter Camp in the Gymnasium.

Miss Miller shook her head dubiously for she knew
what a tremendous undertaking it would prove to be
to paint nicely all the yards of material needed to
enclose a Council Ring.

“Anyway it will do no harm to get prices on stuff
and the necessary paint,” said Zan, and it was so
decided.

“Nita and I will attend to that part of it if you
girls will get the cost of lumber, etc., for the uprights,”
added Elena.

“O Chief!” said Jane, thinking of a plan to save
costs. “Why not use that side wall of the Gym
and do away with that many uprights and stretchers?”

“O Chief! for that matter, why not use a corner
of this hall and have two sides ready made and substantial,
and use the uprights for the other two sides?
With the scenery stretched on all four sides, who will
ever know there is a solid wall of city plaster back
of two sides?” suggested the Guide.

“But it will be a ‘corner in wood,’” added Zan,
facetiously.

“Wah! Wah!” instantly sounded from every old
Woodcrafter present. The new members looked about
for an explanation.

“‘How’ is the term for approval and ‘Wah!’ for
disapproval, or no,” explained the Guide, smiling at
the reception given Zan’s wit.

.. ---File: 045.png

“Corner or not, that last suggestion is all right!”
declared Hilda.

“And instead of tacking the scenery on top of the
poles and having it sag between each upright, why not
have a wire or rope stretched taut from one pole to
the next, and so on, and hang the scenery by means of
hooks?” continued the Guide.

“I suppose such common commodities as clothes-pins
would be spurned by Indians,” ventured Hilda.

“I should say ‘double yes’!” retorted Zan, slangily.

“It is most apparent that Zan is associating with
the ‘causes’ of her slang again. She said this Summer
that the habit was the fault of hearing her brothers
use it so freely,” remarked Miss Miller.

“This time it was the fault of Hilda’s clothes-pins,”
laughed Zan.

“Well anyway, clothes-pins are made of forest
stuff and curtain pins are not!” defended Hilda.

“I will offer my services to the Band and inquire
of an interior decorator I know, to see what would be
the best hanger,” said the Guide.

“All right, Miss Miller, you do that and we will
attend to the rest,” added Jane.

“I suppose two white-wash brushes ought to be
better to paint with than camels-hair No. 0,” laughed
Elena.

“Use whatever you like but for goodness’ sake,
girls, don’t put your ‘atmosphere’ on too thick! It
will take an age to dry out if you do,” commented Zan.

Then the Council ended with the singing of the
Zuñi Sunset Song and the quenching of the Council
Fire—in this case the electric current was switched
off and the log fire-place taken back to the closet.
When everything was in order, the girls left and went
home, eagerly talking over the beautiful scenery-to-be.

.. ---File: 047.png

CHAPTER THREE—HEARD IN THE “SCENIC FOREST”
==========================================

After leaving the other girls at the corner of
Maple Avenue, May Randall and Eleanor Wilbur
walked on alone. May was large for her age,
but most enthusiastic over Woodcraft as she was a
devotee of gymnastics and all out-door exercises.

“Isn’t that Woodcraft foolishness a perfect
scream?” said Eleanor, jeeringly.

May looked at her companion with surprise. “A
scream! Why don’t you think it is splendid?”

“Oh, it answers well enough when one has nothing
else to do, but you won’t catch me giving my time to
making things or helping work just to boost a League
that wants free advertising,” retorted Eleanor.

“Why Eleanor Wilbur! You know that isn’t true.
Why would the Woodcraft League want advertising?
They should worry whether we girls boost or not.
The cost of keeping this thing going is far beyond
what we pay in. That Manual alone is worth ten
times the price we are charged for it. Then too, each
Band has the free right to make its own individual
laws and work or meet as it likes,” defended May.

“I suppose you are so mesmerised by Zan and Miss
Miller, who are crazy about the thing, that you can’t
see how silly the ideas of Council, or singing, or obeying
laws are! Of course the camping and fun are all
right!”

“If that’s the way you feel about it why not resign
now before your name is posted on the Totem? You
know there is one too many.”

“Why should I resign when I want some fun this
Winter? Resign yourself if there is one too many!
If I had the money Jane Hubert or Zan Baker have
for an allowance, you wouldn’t catch me wasting time
with your old Band. I’d go to a matinee every chance
I’d get, and have other fun, too. But I never get
enough spending-money to buy decent candy, let alone
go to a good show!” complained Eleanor.

May made no reply but she looked at her companion,
and Eleanor, glancing at her as she concluded, read
May’s thoughts.

“I suppose you are such a Pharisee that you couldn’t
think of anything so wicked as a theatre or a little
supper-party,” ventured Eleanor, with a mean sneer.

“I guess I’ll turn down this street and walk home
alone. I prefer it to any such company as you can
offer me,” retorted May. And that sentence caused
all the after trouble.

“Old hypocrite!” muttered Eleanor to herself, as
she went on alone. “She thinks by pandering to the
first Woodcrafters she’ll push herself in. But those
five girls are too clannish to admit outsiders into their
charmed circle, and that sweet pussy-footed Miller is
worst of all!”

.. ---File: 049.png

Hence Eleanor was not in the friendliest of moods
when she met May at school the following morning.
She pretended not to see her and only when May spoke
directly to her, did she reply. May said nothing to
the other girls about the conversation that took place
between them on that walk home the day before,
although Eleanor thought she had.

The names of the six members-to-be were posted
on the Totem Pole which was placed at the entrance
to the gymnasium where every scholar going in or
coming out could read the notice.

At recess-time the Woodcrafters were the centre
of attraction and many eager requests from other
girls to be allowed to join the Tribe, was the result of
the notice on the Totem Pole.

“Just can’t do it, girls! We have one too many
as it is. A Band is only allowed ten members and
we have eleven proposed, so one has to be dropped,”
explained Zan.

“Which one?” asked Martha Wheaton, curiously.

“We won’t know until the time for testing is up.
The one that falls short will have to make a graceful
exit, I s’pose,” replied Jane.

“It ought to be Eleanor Wilbur, then. She’s going
around telling everybody what a farce the whole business
is. She acts as if she had a bone to pick with
you girls. Did anything happen at the Council to
antagonise her?” said Martha.

“Why—no! I thought she was enjoying herself
immensely. I’ll go and ask her if she intends to drop
out,” said Zan.

“But don’t tell who told you! I don’t want to get
in bad with her—you know what a mean tongue she
has!” hurriedly cried Martha, wishing she had kept
quiet about the entire affair.

“Hey, there, Ella! Wait a minute—I want to see
you!” called Zan, running after the girl who was
making for the doorway.

“What do you want? I’m going in to study!”
snapped Eleanor, fearing Zan meant to find fault with
her about May Randall.

“I just heard something about your way of looking
at our Woodcraft work, so you’d better make up your
mind to-day whether you meant what you said or not.
There’re piles of other girls only waiting a chance to
grab what you laugh at!” Zan spoke angrily as she
stood at the foot of the door-steps looking up at
Eleanor.

Eleanor half-turned at the entrance door and
sneered: “I read part of that poky Manual last
night, and I couldn’t find a single thing there that
would authorise a Chief to call down a member of
the Tribe outside of Woodcraft meetings. I can do
or say what I please without your over-bearing dominion
of my rights!”

Zan felt like throwing her Latin book at Eleanor’s
head, but Jane ran up and whispered: “Forget it!
Give her rope enough and she’ll hang herself, all
right!”

.. ---File: 051.png

And as Zan turned away with Jane, Eleanor watched
them and thought to herself: “I’d better not say
anything that’ll get to that Miller’s ears, or she’ll remove
my name from the Totem without as much as
saying ‘By your leave!’ But I’ll have it out on that
May Randall, all right, for tattling what she should
have considered a confidential talk.”

Down in her heart, Eleanor knew she wanted to
be a member of Woodcraft, not for the fun alone,
but because she saw what it had done for the five girls
that Summer. She longed to be a different type of
girl from what she generally was, but so all-powerful
was her human will that it kept her from doing or
saying what she really wished to; and so cowardly
was the trait to make strangers believe her charmingly
perfect, that she generally found herself in trouble
about one friend or another. Even at home, she
praised the maid to her face and then denounced her
to her mother. Had she dared she might have carried
out the same hypocrisy between her mother and father,
but Mr. Wilbur was the one being for whom she had
any fear or respect, so she never misrepresented things
to him.

It was not the *real* Eleanor that scoffed at Woodcraft
and gossiped injuriously about it, but the weak
mortal self that was the wretched counterfeit of the
real and true Eleanor. The girl had not yet discovered
this duality in her nature, but she had felt
a growing dissatisfaction with herself and her environment
since entering High School, and this unhappy state
of mind aggravated her desire to belittle
others or their efforts to climb to a higher plane of
living.

Had Eleanor stopped to diagnose her feelings and
actions she would have realised that the “misunderstandings”
(as she termed the quarrels and trouble
resulting from her poisoned darts of gossip) could
be easily traced to the vindictive and malicious desires
she entertained, while the sweet and pure and altogether
attractive qualities that had been paramount
in her early childhood years were becoming weaker
and weaker through lack of expression. So at fourteen,
at the character-forming time when a girl needs
to be on guard that all undesirable tendencies are carefully
eliminated to keep them from taking root for all
future years, Eleanor, and those she associated with,
were in a constant state of confusion and irritation
created by her stubborn and selfish wilfulness.

During the week following the first Council meeting
of the new members, the Band bought materials
and began work on the forest scenery and wooden
upright stands. Elena, Nita, and May Randall were
given the roll of white duck to paint, while the other
girls measured and sawed and hammered the 2 x 4
timbers to make the uprights necessary to hold the
scenic walls of the woodland camp.

All that week Eleanor had been one of the first
of the Woodcrafters to be on hand, but the moment
the actual carpentry began, she would sigh, and scoff,
and belittle the efforts of the others, or wonder why
anyone spent good time on such foolish ideas!

Miss Miller had heard rumours of Eleanor’s gossip
and she overheard several disturbing criticisms made
during the work on the carpentry, but she said nothing
at the time.

Of all the people who knew Eleanor well, Miss
Miller was about the only one who studied the girl
and understood the *chemicalisation*, so to speak, of
the processes going on within the girl’s consciousness.
The evil desires were fermenting and souring her
nature while the sweetness and purifying elements
were gradually being spoiled so that presently, a Judas-natured
individual would claim the victory over the
true, and the battle would be lost for the side of the
divine and eternal self.

It was with a thrill of gratitude then, that the
Guide recalled her deep perplexities over the waywardness
of Nita, that same Summer on the Farm. How
she had studied every phase of the problem and finally
won out to the ever-growing betterment of the
girl.

“If I can only win the slightest hold on this girl’s
innate goodness and learn how to appeal to her higher
self, I feel sure I can weed out the ‘tares’ even if it
takes a long time. It is well worth the fight for the
‘wheat’ waiting to be garnered,” murmured Miss
Miller as she reached the Gymnasium door. Which
goes to show what the Guide really thought of Woodcraft
and the privileges given her whereby to improve
the morals and manners of the girls entrusted to her
care.

“Everybody waiting for me to-day?” cheerily
called the Guide as she hurried in where the girls
were waiting to hold a Saturday afternoon Council.

“Yes, we’re crazy to pass judgment on the scenery.
Elena makes such a secret of it that not one of us
has seen it since she had it sketched out with charcoal.
It’s back there in that huge roll. The boys brought
it in the car a few minutes ago,” explained Zan.

“And did you finish the uprights so we can hang
the duck?” asked Miss Miller.

“Everything is back in the corner where we decided
to have our forest,” replied Jane.

“Then we can go right to work and place our
trees and seats, and some of you can build the log
fire-place in the centre for a Council,” said the energetic
Guide.

A hubbub of instructions and calls and running to
and fro continued after this for some time. Miss
Miller tried to superintend the raising of the “huge
forest timbers.”

“Say! Won’t one of you girls with nothing to do
help me hook up this side of the trees?” called Elena,
anxiously, as she found the weight of the duck too
heavy to manage alone.

“You’ve got the trees upside-down!” laughed Jane.

“No I haven’t! That’s the way Nita painted this
piece,” retorted Elena.

“Why it looks more like an early settler’s log stockade
than the beautiful woodland hillside back of the
Bluff,” replied surprised Jane, eyeing the painting with
her head on one side.

“S-sh! Nita’ll hear you! She is so proud of it!
She says it is a much better line of trees than my
forest!” whispered Elena, proudly displaying her art
work.

Zan came over to assist in hanging the duck and
smiled behind the painting as she heard Elena explain
the various “scenes” depicted on the great stretch
of cotton.

“This is the flat rock where we sat telling bedtime
stories; here is the swimming pool, and up there is
Fiji’s cave. I tried to get in Bill’s cottage below the
Bluff but my paint gave out,” explained Elena, as the
three girls lifted and stretched the canvas and hung
the hooks over the taut wire.

“But the way you measured and cut the scenery,
we’ll have to unhook the cave and Bluff every time
we need one side open. You made the other three
sides all stockade, you see,” commented Zan.

“That’s so! I never thought of that. We will have
to omit one whole side at times, won’t we?” responded
Elena,

“Still, I think it will be easier to fold down or
hang up a Bluff than to hew through a great row of
giant tree-trunks, Zan,” laughed Jane.

Finding Elena too serious over her painting to
laugh or enjoy a joke about it, the other two girls
called that all was ready for the admiring audience.

.. ---File: 056.png

As the group stood about the Council circle looking
over the woodland scene, some smiled, some sniffed,
and some looked delighted at the result. Miss Miller
saw the disappointment on Nita’s face and remarked:
“We joyfully accept this attempt to paint
the cherished mental picture of Wickeecheokee Camp—a
scene that defies all words or arts to describe.”

“But Miss Miller, you must admit that this scenery
is misleading to new Woodcrafters. We have ranted
of stars, and streams, and the breath of balsam pines;
but where, oh where, is there any such ‘atmosphere’
to be found in this painting!” Zan cried dramatically,
as she posed and threw out both arms towards the
canvas.

“Atmosphere! Good gracious, Zan, can you ask
for more!” laughed Jane, in response to Zan’s call.
“Did you ever smell such an odour of the turpentine
that comes from pine?”

The girls all laughed but Nita complained pathetically:

“If you girls *knew* the job it was to smear all that
paint on the old stuff, you wouldn’t poke fun at the
trees. Why, the duck soaked up my paint as fast as
I put it on, so of course I had to use gallons of turp
to make it spread at all. Even then, it dried before
I could shade any bark on my trees.”

“You all say I am too matter-of-fact a cook to be
an artist, but I bet I could take a handful of the
superfluous paint on those trees and knead it into
something resembling ‘tall timbers’,” now commented
Hilda.

“No one could! Why we had to hang the duck
along the wall of our attic and stand on an old library
table while we painted the tops of the trees! Just try
to make bark or leaves on a tree that has to be painted
with a heavy kalsomine brush. Our arms got so lame
before we painted an hour that we fairly cried with
the ache in the bones,” said Elena, defiantly.

“Yes, and Elena’s attic is so bespattered with raw
umber and ivory black that Mrs. Marsh says she will
have to stain the entire floor now to make it look
decent again,” added Nita.

“Well girls, we are all genuine Woodcrafters, so
we hail with thanksgiving this scenery that fills our
lungs with the pungent odour of the forest. I, for
one, will breathe deeply of this pine product!” laughed
Miss Miller, turning the criticism to fun.

“Well, all I can say is that I feel grateful for these
great stout logs that will protect us from Winter’s icy
winds and the hungry horde of howling wolves—the
menace of pioneers in the forest!” added Zan.

“They’re all right in Winter but how about the
longed for shade in Summer when the fierce rays of
the sun beat upon our unprotected heads? We have
no branches overhead,” remarked May, whimsically.

“Now you’ve all joshed Nita and me quite enough—let’s
proceed with the Council,” said Elena, looking
beseechingly toward Miss Miller.

So the meeting was opened and during the singing
of the Prayer of Invocation, the Guide focussed her
camera and took a snap-shot of the girls standing in
the “Scenic Woodland Council.”

After the Tally of the last meeting had been read
and other business disposed of, Miss Miller said:

“Is there any particular work you girls plan to do
this coming week?”

“O Chief!” said Nita, jumping to salute Zan.
“We really must plan some new dances for this Fall,
especially if we are going to celebrate a big Hallow
E’en Council and invite our friends.”

“As this is the last week of September, we haven’t
any too much time, either,” added Jane.

“Well, let’s commission Nita to dig up some new
and entertaining folk songs that can be acted out in
a dance,” suggested Zan, looking to the Guide for
approval of the idea.

“Elena, make a note in your Tally that Nita will
find us some new dancing songs before next Council,”
replied Miss Miller.

“O Chief!” now spake Hilda. “When we broke
camp for the Summer we were all quite keen to win
*coups* for needle-craft, carpentry, and other work.
Besides, we want to secure degrees for some of the
big stunts like Mrs. Remington’s Tribe have
won.”

“Oh, that reminds me! Elizabeth Remington said
she would gladly help us to learn how to start the
pottery and carpentry work. Then too, she said her
mother thought we ought to plan to have a Little Lodge
attached to our Tribe, as many Big Lodges have,”
cried Zan, eagerly.

“It is very good of Elizabeth to offer her time to
help you girls; as for the Little Lodge, I would not
think of it till your two Bands are filled and the Tribe
is chartered and well under way,” replied the Guide.

“O Chief! Can’t we start the pottery work first
’cause Zan knows a lot about designing since she
started that class-work in school,” suggested Hilda.

“I was not aware that Zan had graduated from the
School of Design so soon. Did you really finish in
two lessons, Zan?” teased the Guide.

“Oh, you know what Hilda means—she thinks that
now I can find out about real designing we all can
profit by it,” explained Zan.

“Instead of pottery which is a step beyond carpentry,
I would suggest that the Band make some objects
in wood according to the Manual rules for winning
*coups*,” advised Miss Miller.

“Why can’t you old members wait a little while
and give us new members time to win the flower, star,
and tree *coups* such as you earned at Camp this Summer?”
asked Frances Mason.

“We can all begin together on carpentry and at
times when we are not together, or you new members
are not in on some of the things we do, you can catch
up on those easy winners,” said Zan.

So the entry was made in the Tally Book directly
after the note reading: “Nita will find new folk
songs for a dance before next Council.”

.. ---File: 060.png

It read: “Begin some object in carpentry using
own designs and material, suitable to claim a *coup*
with all provisions met.”

“Now that that is off our minds let’s have Miss
Miller tell us an Indian myth or story. We haven’t
heard one since that last week on the farm,” petitioned
Jane.

“And I happen to know that she received a package
of books from the Smithsonian Institution at Washington,”
added Zan.

“How! How!” chorused the other girls, so the
Guide felt called upon to contribute her share to the
Council meeting.

“I really had planned something so different from
this, that I must have a moment in which to think,”
murmured the Guide.

“Oh dear me! That’s always the way with us!
We are so impatient to make Miss Miller work for
her honourable position, that we generally manage to
‘cut off our noses to spite our faces,’“ sighed Elena
so plaintively that the others laughed.’”

“My original idea will not spoil by delay, so I will
tell the story now which is really much easier than
the work I planned,” rejoined Miss Miller.

“Well, at least tell us what your plan was and let
us judge of its merits,” declared Zan, coaxingly.

“I never satisfy idle curiosity if I recognise it, but
I will tell you a story of what happened to some
Eskimo Indian children who indulged in this undesirable
inclination to their undoing.

.. ---File: 061.png

CHAPTER FOUR—THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND
=====================================

“This myth is told by the Sea Lion-town People
from Alaska and is called, ‘A Tale of a Red
Feather,’” began Miss Miller.

“A group of children were playing ball with a
woody excrescence which they had found in the bole
of a tree. It had been rubbed down and polished until
it was smooth and shiny as could be.

“As they knocked the ball back and forth, shouting
with glee if one of their band happened to miss it,
a small red feather floated down from the clouds
and blew gently to and fro just over their heads. As
it was wafted about in the eddying breeze, it attracted
the attention of the youngsters who watched it with
eager curiosity.

“It never came nearer the earth than just above
the heads of the children and as they speculated concerning
it, one of the boys declared it must be a magic
feather. Another said it might be a prince bewitched
by an evil spell-binder, and still another said it was
from a Red Eagle that soared from the Happy Hunting
Grounds.

“The latter idea seemed to take hold of the children
and they cried ‘We want it if it fell from the Happy
Hunting Grounds.’

“So most of them jumped up trying to catch it
as it floated over their heads. The tallest boy, making
a high leap, seized it, but instead of bringing it down
to the ground with him, his hand stuck fast as if by
some unseen power. He struggled but could not release
himself and gradually he was drawn up from
the earth.

“He screamed, and his brother seeing the awful
magic working, caught hold of his hand to stay him.
But he, too, was stuck fast to his brother’s hand and
was lifted up against his will.

“Then another boy caught hold on to the second
lad’s feet and he, too, was drawn up unwillingly.
Soon, all the children, then the parents who sought
to save their little ones, next the townspeople, and
lastly the dogs and cats and donkeys, and every living
creature in the town—all but the niece of the Town
Chief were drawn up.

“This girl remained sleeping upon a couch behind
a screen and was quite unaware of what was happening
to her kinsmen and townspeople and the creatures
that had lived in the town.

“The victims of Red Feather were carried up, up,
up, to a great cloud that hung waiting to receive them.
There they were kept until the waters in the cloud
washed them all to bones and then bleached the bones
white. But that comes later.

“The niece, strangely enough, was awakened by the
great stillness. She listened and then sprang out of
bed wondering what kept everyone so silent. No
shouting of children, no braying of donkeys, no fighting
of cats and dogs, no bargaining of townspeople!

“She peered from behind the screen and found no
moving or living being, so she quickly dressed and
ran out to call, but no answer came. She ran through
the houses and found them vacant, and left as if they
had been abandoned in a great hurry. The canoes
were still tied to their posts or lying upon the beach,
so it was quite evident that her people had not gone
by the water-way. The great mountains back of the
village offered no temptation to the villagers and the
maiden knew they had not disappeared that way.

“She went home to think over this strange thing
and as she thought, she feared some evil worker had
succeeded in making magic against her people. Reaching
this conclusion, the maiden ran out and stood near
the spot where her cousins first saw the feather. She,
too, saw a tiny red feather dance about her head but
she was too troubled to account for her friends to
give the temptation another thought.

“Having no curiosity or desire to possess the red
feather gave her the power to see it as it was. As
the feather still fluttered about, the girl was able to
witness the whole sight of her people and every living
creature of the village excepting herself, drawn up
to the black cloud and left dangling there.

“Then she ran back to her tepee and wept. She
wept gallons of salty tears before she became reconciled
to her fate. But the tears relieved her sorrow
and she went forth to seek for a memento of her
brothers and sister. Where the children had been
playing ball she found a shaving her brother had
whittled from the wood from which he was making
a spear just before he was caught up. She next found
a feather from the arrow her cousin had been making.
Then she found a chip of red cedar bark her brother
had held, and a wild crab-apple blossom her little sister
had plucked. Lastly, the maiden saw the footprints
in the mud, of another brother as he had stood catching
at the heels of his cousin. All these relics she
gathered up carefully and placed them in a blanket.

“The blanket was securely bound by the four corners
and the gallons of salty tears poured over it.
Then the girl blew her nose violently to call magic,
and poured the remainder of her tears over the covering
that held the treasures.

“This last rite performed, the maiden carried the
blanket to her couch behind the screen and sat down
to wait. After many days she opened the blanket
again and there she found a babe. It had a small
shaving stuck to its forehead. She took the babe out
and tied the blanket corners together again. Then
she mothered the babe till it grew strong and as fine
as her brother had been before it.

“After a time, she opened the blanket again and
lo! there she found another fine child, but a bit of
cedar bark was stuck to its forehead. The boy was
also mothered and grew to be a fine lad.

.. ---File: 065.png

“The third time the girl opened the blanket she
found a boy with a feather stuck to his forehead. The
fourth child had a clod of mud on the sole of each
foot, and so on, the children came until nine fine lads
had been mothered and reared, and then came a little
girl who carried a crab-apple blossom in her hand.

“The ten children were carefully reared and taught
many wise things that all Indians should know. They
had plenty of food and clothing as every house in the
town was there to take from.

“One day, the eldest lad inquired: ‘Mother, why
lies yonder village so empty?’

“And she replied: ‘My child, it is your uncle’s
town that lies empty because of idle curiosity. And
this is what happened to everyone living in the village.’

“Then she told the children the story as I have
told it to you, even the punishment that comes with
curiosity and the payment demanded from any who
deem they can do what others cannot.

“And the boy asked: ‘Where is the ball, mother?’

“She replied sadly: ‘Ah, my son, I may not show
you the hidden place of that ball for it contains magic
that brings evil to anyone touching it. Better leave
*skîtq! a’-ig. ādAñ* in the tree where it grows.’

“But the boys were overcome with curiosity to see
and try this magic they were warned against. So,
secretly they found the right bole of the tree where
an excrescence grew and it was cut out. They worked
it smooth and round until it was polished enough to
play ball with.

.. ---File: 066.png

“The little sister had not been told of her brothers’
mischief or she would have dissuaded them—or at
least, she would have warned the mother that the
boys had disobeyed her wishes.

“They tossed the ball gleefully back and forth and
soon a tiny red feather floated over their heads but
little sister warned them not to touch it as it was the
same evil magic that had drawn all their kin away
from earth.

“But the oldest lad scoffed at her fears and clutched
at the feather. Instantly, he was turned to mucus,
right before their eyes! And this mucus was waved
violently back and forth till it was stretched out into
a long thread. As it was pulled up to the black cloud
overhead, one end of the mucus still stuck fast to the
ground and the red feather tugged and tugged to tear
it loose.

“The second brother caught hold of the mucus and
was turned to a shaving. But this was whirled around
and around until it spun dizzily and one end of the
shaving reached the cloud but the other still whirled
on the ground.

“The third boy ran up and caught hold of it and
was instantly turned into a strip of cedar bark. After
being rolled and pulled the bark began to stretch and
finally one end was up in the clouds and the other
still remained upon the earth.

“When the boy with the mud soles caught hold
of the red cedar chip, he was turned to mud. As this
was spun out, some of it was carried up to the cloud
while some of it still clung to the earth but a fine
thread of mud stretched between the two mud-lumps.

“But the next boy caught the wild crab-apple blossom
from his sister’s hand and stamped upon the mud
from his brother’s sole that lay upon the ground. As
he stamped he called to his sister: ‘I am strong!
Hurry—make medicine to save us.’

“And the sister cried: ‘Be a man! Be strong and
I will save you!’

“But he was turned to a crab-apple tree right before
her eyes. He was being dragged up to the cloud
but the red feather had great difficulty to tear it away
from the earth, as the roots had quickly grown down
into the ground. One strong root still held in the earth
and red feather was tugging hard to loosen it from
its hold when little sister ran up and jumped upon
this root. She then climbed up the long-drawn-out
crab-apple tree, all the while making strong medicine
and slashing out with a long sharp sword.

“The red feather flew madly about and when, at
a mighty slash of the sword, the evil magic fell to
earth, its power was gone forever!

“Then immediately after it came the nine brothers
who were not hurt for red feather had lost its magic
to hurt any more.

“And on top of the children came down the
whitened bones of the villagers, and last of all crashed
down the remains of the dogs and cats and donkeys
that had lived in the village in the long-ago.

“The wild crab-apple tree had not had its root
pulled from the ground before red feather was slashed
down to earth, so little sister slid down that root and
reached the place where all the brothers, and villagers,
and creatures lay in a heap together.

“She spat medicine upon her brothers and they
each took a natural form again, and were over-joyed
at seeing themselves at home. Then she spat medicine
upon the bones of her kins-people and they all returned
to life. Next the villagers were brought back and then
the dogs, because they are man’s best friends; then
the donkeys, for they help carry the burdens of man;
and lastly the cats for they kill vermin but are in
themselves no other good to man.

“So the people and every creature thanked little
sister for the strong medicine she had made to bring
them all safe back home. Then she told them that
they need never have been dead or kept up in that
cloud had they known themselves and their power
over all evil magic.

“And from that day, the people taught their children
first, above every other knowledge, ‘Know Thyself,’
then the next thing the children were taught was,
‘Know that evil has no power or magic for one who
Knows Himself!’”

As Miss Miller concluded the story the Woodcrafters
cried “How! How!”

“What a strange story—it sounds almost like an
allegory with a deep meaning,” said Jane.

“It is, and has hidden in its fanciful pictures described,
the story of the Adam creation, of the Fall
of Man, the New Birth of a Saviour, and the final
resurrection from the dead when evil has been thrown
to earth. At least, that is what I found in it as I
studied its text and realised how much was buried in
the words,” replied Miss Miller.

“Miss Miller,” came from Zan warningly, “remember—I
too have that book from the Smithsonian!”

The Guide laughed. “Well, what if you have?”

“I fear you will be drawn up to the black cloud by
black magic unless you hasten to make amends for
your deception,” threatened Zan.

“O Chief! I move that you tell us what evil deed
the Guide has forced upon us!” cried Jane, watching
the two eagerly.

“O Brothers—or in this case, I should say ‘O
sistern,’ our hitherto revered Guide wove magic before
your eyes as you did not know that her tale was but
half the story in the book. Now I shall make strong
medicine and you shall see the magic leave her in our
power,” spoke Zan, in a thundering tone, meantime,
weaving a spell in the air with her hands and fingers,
to the amusement of the girls.

Miss Miller, laughing, knew Zan would give her
no peace until she had accomplished her purpose—in
this particular case, the conclusion of the legend.
So she stood up and saluted.

“Ha! the medicine worked quickly, sistern!”
laughed Zan, seating herself.

“The second half of this tale may be applied by
each one here to some profit,” remarked Miss Miller,
as a prelude to her legend.

“The day following the one the people had been
returned to their homes and living, the boys found
the little red feather in the dust where it had fallen
when slashed down from the cloud.

“In great anger and spite they began to tear it to
bits and throw the down hither and thither. When
they could find no further evidence that the evil magic
had once been powerful, they suddenly found themselves
in a snow-storm.

“It snowed and snowed until everything was covered.
It piled up everywhere—on houses, stalls, town,
and trees—all were snowed under and no day-light
could peep in at the air-holes or doorways.

“Then little sister, who had been sleeping a long
time, awoke and got up. She heard the cries of her
people who wanted air and light, and she knew she
must make medicine to help them overcome the evil
they had brought upon themselves through spite and
mistaken punishment.

“So she made strong medicine and gave it to her
brothers to rub on the door-posts. They did and the
snow melted instantly so that they could breathe and
see, but the snow still lay piled up in the streets and
over the other houses. And it also covered the smoke-hole
of their house so that no fire could burn to prepare
the food. Still the snow fell and fell until it
seemed that the doorway would again be blocked
up.

.. ---File: 071.png

“Then little sister called upon her mother for help,
and together they made medicine and then called upon
the birds to help.

“A blue jay soon flew over the smoke-hole of the
house and dropped a ripe elder-berry down through
the opening. As the berry touched the snow, the ice
and sleet melted and soon vanished so that the roof
was clear.

“Now little sister took the berry and wherever it
touched ice or sleet or snow, the frozen magic melted
and left off being.

“The blue jay flew over the other houses and
dropped a berry down each smoke-hole. In many
homes the berry was used as advised and these families
were soon out of the ice and cold. In other places the
people were too busy shoveling snow to bother with
the blue jay’s berry and they remained frozen still.
Some used the berry to melt a way out of the house
and then wasted no more effort so the smoke-hole
never worked right and nourishment was scarce.

“When the bird had dropped a berry down every
smoke-hole it flew back to little sister’s home and said:
‘Now I must be on my way again. Who will come
with me to visit heaven, where I go?’

“Most of the children were eager to go so they
climbed upon the bird’s back or clung to his wings
and feet until he came to the clouds where heaven
was hidden away from earth-dwellers’ sight.

“Once in heaven, the blue jay flapped his wings
and rolled the children off and told them he had to
leave them for a short time to report what he had
done on the earth.

“Left alone, the children walked about enjoying
the novel sights, until one of the boys saw a *djo’lgi*
sniffing about. He threw a rock at the animal and
stunned it, then he ran over and tore it to bits and
scattered the fragments about, although the poor
*djo’lgi* had not done anything to merit this cruelty.

“The children now felt hungry and said they would
go and seek for something to eat, as the blue jay had
failed to return to help them find bread.

“As they walked, they came to a house where a
woman stood looking anxiously about as if in search
for someone.

“The children drew near and she said: ‘Have you
seen my child playing about?’

“And they answered: ‘We saw nothing but a
*djo’lgi* and it we killed.’

“‘Oh, oh! You bad children! You have killed my
child!’ cried the woman. Then she suddenly caught
the children and pushed them in through the open
door and when they were all in she turned and said,
‘Door, bolt yourself.’

“Then the children trembled when they saw the
door shut and bolt itself and they knew they were
again in the power of black magic.

“But little sister had had nothing to do with the
killing of the *djo’lgi* and she now whispered to the
brother who had held a firm root in the earth when
red feather tried to tear the crab-apple tree from the
ground: ‘I will make medicine and smear some on
you. That will turn you into a cinder so that you
can fly up the smoke-hole and get out. Then find
Blue Jay. With the medicine I smear on your head
you can bring the *djo’lgi* back to life and let Blue Jay
bring it home to the old woman. When she finds her
child alive and happy she will let us all go.’

“The boy did as sister told him, and when he was
outside the smoke-hole he flew about heaven until he
found Blue Jay.

“So medicine was rubbed on the *djo’lgi* and he
was brought back to life and carried home. There,
a loud rap on the door made the old woman cry:
‘Who’s there?’

“And the *djo’lgi* answered: ‘It is your *djo’lgi*,
mother, let me come in.’

“She ran and unbolted the door and was so happy
to have her child back in her arms that she forgot to
bolt the door again. Then the Blue Jay led the children
forth and they all went to the big house on the
Cliff where Blue Jay’s grandmother lived. Here a
fine feast was spread for the visitors and after they
had had all the juicy venison they could eat, Blue Jay
said: ‘Come now, let us go to heaven.’

“But the grandmother said: ‘How can all these
children crawl through safely when the clouds open
and shut?’

“I’ll show them how and if they mind they will
get in,’ replied the Blue Jay.

“Then they said good-by to the grandmother and
followed after Blue Jay to the place where they had
to creep in under the clouds if they wished to see
the great Bill-of-Heaven who was known everywhere
as the Power-of-the-shining-clouds.

“When they came to the edge of the blue sky where
the clouds open and shut continually, Blue Jay dipped
his feathers in the blue to make them brighter and
meantime, some of the boys tried to run under the
cloud and so get into heaven first. But the cloud came
down and caught them, so they were turned into rain
and poured down to help the earth blossom.

“Then some of the other children tried to rush
through, and of these two were caught under the edge
of the cloud and were turned to thunder, and the
others who only got a glimpse of heaven were turned
to lightning from the brightness of the glory they
saw.

“Blue Jay came back after a time and was sorry
to hear some of the children had not followed his
advice but risked their happiness by being rude and
disobedient. Then he turned to the remaining children
and said: ‘I will watch for the time when you must
rush in. I will call “Fly!” then all must fly back and
forth along the edge of the cloud till a little rift of
blue where a cloud lifts is seen. Dart through that
but never try it unless you see the rift of blue.’

“The little sister was told to follow with Blue Jay
as he would see her through. Then cinder brother
and a few of the others waited and watched, flying
back and forth until they saw a rift break through a
thick cloud, and quickly they rushed through and found
the glory of the sun and lived happy in heaven ever
after.”

“How! How” cried the girls, some clapping their
hands.

Eleanor sat and looked scornfully at the girls applauding.
Then she said, “If that isn’t the silliest
nonsense ever! Besides, *I* think it is positively sacrilegious
to talk in that way about heaven!”

“Sacrilegious! Why should it be? It is the simple
ancient beliefs of the Indians who had no Bible as
we have, and handed down these legends from one
generation to another to teach their children respect
and obedience to the Great Spirit,” replied Zan.

“You certainly can’t say that calling the Power
above by the name of ‘Bill-of-Heaven’ is respect!
I almost shivered when I heard Miss Miller use such
blasphemy!” retorted Eleanor.

“Why Eleanor, you are mistaken! The name is
interpreted from the original language where the
Indians never even heard the name of ‘Bill,’ so they
could not use it in disrespect. In their tongue the
term ‘Bill’ means an entirely different thing than in
our English, so we must not condemn a thing because
we are ignorant of its uses,” said the Guide, calmly.

“Tell us the germ of truth you found in that allegory,
Miss Miller,” begged Jane.

“I told you before I began that you each must
apply it for yourselves. I can sit down and find a
suitable lesson in it for the short-comings of each one
present,” laughed Miss Miller, rising to close the
Council Meeting.

As the Woodcrafters left the building, Zan called
after them: “Remember to bring a finished product
of your carpentry for the next Council!”

.. ---File: 077.png

CHAPTER FIVE—A PRIZE CHEST
==========================

The following week, every member of Wickeecheokee
Band was busy after school, working
hard on their carpentry. Some had decided to make
wooden toys for the little ones, some preferred odd
pieces of furniture, such as a foot-stool, a tabouret,
a waste-paper-basket, etc. The older Woodcrafters
were busy making more difficult things as they had
had some practise in the handling of tools and wood.
May Randall, not to be outdone by the older members,
wanted to manufacture a Woodcraft Chest to
hold the papers, beads, and other things she would
collect in her Woodcraft work as time went on.

“I never dreamed this work could be so tedious,”
sighed Ethel Clifford, whittling away at a bit of wood
that had to dove-tail into the other section. She was
making a set of fire-boards.

“One never realises how long a time hand-made
articles take. That is why they always cost more than
machine made objects,” added Anne Mason.

“I hope my tilting stools will look like the picture
given in the Manual,” now said Mildred Howell. “If
they don’t work I shall give up in despair.”

.. ---File: 078.png

“I think they look great, Mil. Maybe you’ll get
a *coup*,” remarked Zan, who looked up from the
elaborate bead-loom she was decorating, having constructed
the entire machine of wood.

“I just adore that bead-loom you made, Zan,” now
said May Randall, working industriously at the chest
she was etching in pyrography.

“I’ll tell you what, May! If the bead-loom you
expect to make turns out half as fine as that chest,
it will be better than mine,” praised Zan. “I never
saw a girl handle tools as naturally and deftly as you
do—for a greenhorn, too!”

May laughed in a pleased tone for honest praise
is sweet.

“What is Eleanor Wilbur making, girls?” asked
Hilda.

“I don’t know—she hasn’t been with us yet, you
know,” replied Anne Mason, evasively.

“Is she doing anything else besides making
trouble?” asked May Randall, in her blunt way.

“I’ll thank you to mind your own business, Miss
May Randall,” called a voice from the door.

The girls flushed guiltily as they looked up and
found Eleanor herself trembling with anger. She
had stopped at Zan’s house to leave a borrowed book
and the maid told her the girls were on the back-porch
working. So she happened there unannounced.

“Well, are you, Eleanor?” persisted May, defiantly.

“I’ll tell you what’s troubling you, all right—you
dog-in-the-manger, you! You’re afraid I’ll win out
ahead of you in the test for membership, so you go
to work in an underhanded way to prejudice the others
against me,” declared Eleanor.

“Hardly, Miss Wilbur, for Zan just told us that
Ethel handed her a letter to be read at the weekly
Council. She is to go to California next month to
be gone all Winter so she has withdrawn her application
till Spring,” snapped May, with satisfaction.

“Then there are only five after all,” said Eleanor,
a gleam of pleasure on her face.

“There may be only four—if one of the new members
keeps on the undesirable pathway she has trodden
since applying for membership!” taunted May, who
had a sharp tongue at times.

“Pooh!” sounded from Eleanor and Jane banged
her work down loudly upon the floor and said angrily:

“For pity’s sake, forget it—you two! We never
had a single scrap like this when we were at Camp!”

“I’m not scrapping a bit,” defended Eleanor. “It
is that hateful old thing over there. But as I am going
now anyway, don’t bother to shut her up. I’m on my
way to visit Miss Miller, so I will just mention the
fact that Miss Randall is running the Tribe now, and
she as old Guide can resign gracefully or be ousted
by the new Guide!” sneered Eleanor, slamming the
door as she left the porch.

“Can’t we put her out, girls! I am getting to hate
her,” cried May, spitefully.

“You’re letting your anger get the best of you,
May. It has already made you lose out in one test—same
as Eleanor has. Besides, Eleanor may need
Woodcraft more than any of us, because the work
isn’t a matter of pastime as much as for improvement,”
said Zan, who had had a private talk with
the Guide and to her questions about ousting Eleanor,
had been told some truths that made her think of Nita
and the impatience the girls felt at her in Camp that
Summer.

“Girls, since Zan spoke of May’s Woodcraft box
I have been thinking—why can’t we have contests in
work and give a prize to the one having the best
product to show with the others at the exhibit?” said
Elena, trying to change their current of thought.

“Let’s do it! The one to win this Saturday, to
have a suitable prize awarded for the different points
covered,” said Zan.

“It will be for neatness, utility, beauty, and time
taken in the making,” suggested Jane.

“I wonder if Headquarters ever started contests
with the Woodcrafters for certain requirements well-done?”
wondered Nita.

“Let’s have Miss Miller write to find out. Maybe
we can give them a new idea,” commented Hilda.

Silence followed for a few moments after that decision
and Nita began humming a new Hawaiian
air.

“That reminds me, Nita, did you find any new
folk songs that we might adapt for dancing?” asked
Jane.

“Oh, yes, I have a dandy! Want to see me do it
while you take a little rest from work?” cried eager
Nita.

Nita never lost an opportunity to dance, and it was
her greatest delight to show her friends any new steps
or figures she had improvised for a Woodcraft Folk
Song or Dance, which really is true dancing from
over-flowing joy in the heart—but not the so-called
wanton dances in vogue at the present time.

The girls always enjoyed watching the graceful
form as it bent low or whirled around in the Indian
Acting Songs, so to-day they approved the suggestion
to rest and be entertained by Nita.

“I shall have to sing the words in French as Miss
Miller and I haven’t translated them yet. The air is
familiar to most of you and you must hum it with
me. Now I will sing and slowly step the bars while
you try to study the action and practise it at home,”
announced Nita.

.. image:: images/wood-086.jpg
   :align: center

SUR LE PONT D’AVIGNON

   | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |   Tout le mondey danse;
   |     Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |       Tout le mondey danse en rond,
   |         Les beaux messieurs font comm’ ga,
   |           Et puis encor comm’ ga:
   |             Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |               Tout le mondey danse, danse
   |                 Sur le pont d’Avignon
   |                   Tout le mondey danse en rond.
   |
   | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |   Tout le mondey danse, danse;
   |     Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |       Tout le mondey danse en rond.
   |         Les belles dames font comm’ ga,
   |           Et puis encor comm’ ga:
   |             Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |               Tout le mondey danse, danse
   |                 Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |                   Tout le mondey danse en rond.
   |
   | Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |   Tout le mondey danse, danse;
   |     Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |       Tout le mondey danse en rond,
   |         Et les capucins font comm’ ga,
   |           Et puis encor comm’ ga,
   |             Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |               Tout le mondey danse, danse
   |                 Sur le pont d’Avignon,
   |                   Tout le mondey danse en rond.

----

Thereupon Nita danced The Bridge song to
the satisfaction of her audience. They applauded and
encored until she laughingly consented to treat them
to their favourite dances. Many of these were steps
invented by Nita to improve upon the old folk dances.
When the girl, breathless, finally sat down, the other
girls complimented her to her heart’s content.

“I wish we could learn that bridge song and dance
it for Miss Miller as a surprise,” suggested Zan.

“Let’s do it!” abetted Elena.

“We ought to complete our carpentry work first,”
ventured May.

“We haven’t any extra class studies at home this
week so we might carpenter in the afternoons and
dance at night,” eagerly said Nita.

“Why not come over to my house at eight and I
will have the rugs and furniture moved out of the
living-room. Anne and I will be all alone this evening
as the others are going out,” added Frances
Mason.

“That’s fine! Who can meet at the Masons’ at eight
to-night?” called Zan, looking about at the Woodcrafters.

“We surely will—every one of us,” accepted Hilda.

“Well, don’t waste our time making us wait for
you. If someone can’t come let her telephone before
meeting-time,” advised Anne Mason.

“Hoh! Anne doesn’t know us yet! Catch a Woodcrafter
being late when there’s any fun going!”
laughed Jane.

Every member was there before eight that night,
Eleanor having been notified over the telephone. A
merry evening was enjoyed with dancing and singing
and most of the girls were sure the French Folk Song
could be mastered for a private exhibition on Saturday
if they had one more evening’s practise.

“To-morrow is Thursday and some of us are booked
to go to those Burton-Holmes Lectures, but we might
all meet again on Friday night?” suggested Zan.

“Some of us could meet to-morrow and practise,
and then all meet Friday,” added Hilda.

“Where do you want to meet Friday—come to my
house,” invited Jane.

As the Huberts had a large house with a splendid
living-room, it offered excellent facilities for dancing,
so the girls gladly accepted the invitation.

Shortly after nine o’clock Friday night, while the
Woodcrafters were cooling off and talking about their
successful dancing lesson of the French song, Mrs.
Hubert opened the door and peeped in.

“When you finish dancing maybe you’ll come to
the kitchen and help me make some fudge?” hinted
she.

“We’re all through!” cried Zan, jumping up and
running for the door.

“So we are when there’s fudge on the programme,”
laughed Elena.

But fudge was not the only candy made that night.
As Saturday morning was a “lazy day” for school-girls,
they could sleep an hour later than usual. So
there was no haste to get home and to bed that
night.

“Mrs. Hubert, you always promised to give us the
recipe for your fudge—it is so good!” exclaimed
Elena.

“Why, I’ll tell you right now, and you can watch
me make it, too,” replied Mrs. Hubert.

“Lena, write it down to enter in our Tally,” said
Zan.

As Mrs. Hubert itemised the ingredients for Elena
to write down, she measured out the quantities for
the candy.

“One cup of granulated sugar, one cup of powdered
sugar, one and a half cakes of Baker’s chocolate, a
lump of butter about the size of a walnut, two-thirds
of a cup of milk, and any flavour desired. I shall use
vanilla to-night as most girls like that.

“Now I boil the milk and sugar, stirring all the
time from when it is first placed over the fire. When
it fairly hardens so as to form a ball when dropped
in cold water, I remove it from the stove and add
the chocolate which must be shaved very fine, or even
grated as it is to-night.

“Next I add the vanilla, and the butter last. Quickly
then, I beat it until it thickens but it must not sugar.
Pour it in buttered tins and when it is partly hardened
we can cut it into squares.

“In case any of you do not have powdered sugar
in the house you can use granulated but the powdered
sugar makes it creamy and there is less danger of
crystallising while beating.”

The fudge was made and declared the finest ever
tasted.

“Oh, but you girls say that every time I treat you,”
laughed Mrs. Hubert.

“It’s true, and that shows how you improve in
candy-making every time you cook it for us,” retorted
Zan, quickly.

“Which interpreted means: ‘Be sure and give us
fudge every time we visit you,’” laughed Mrs.
Hubert.

“You’d hear no kick coming from the Woodcrafters,”
added Jane.

“Jane! There you go again with your slang! I
thought Miss Miller was curing you girls of that
pernicious habit,” said Mrs. Hubert.

“We were cured, Mother, but you see our brothers
were still ill with the despised complaint and we caught
it again, didn’t we Zan?” said Jane, appealing to her
competitor in slang.

Zan’s mouth was too full of fudge to reply but she
nodded her head vigorously to express her feelings
about slang.

“Dear, dear, such girls!” sighed Mrs. Hubert,
taking a recipe book from the shelf and turning to
a page of candies.

“Girls, shall I show you how to make nougat?”
asked she.

Naturally they cried “yes” and Elena prepared to
make another entry in the Tally.

“Always blanch the almonds or other nuts to be
used. I generally keep some on hand so we won’t
have to take time for that work to-night. Now some
of you girls skin these nuts and some of you can chop
them very fine.

“For the nougat, I melt some powdered sugar, using
a dessert-spoonful of lemon juice to every pound of
sugar. It takes double the weight of sugar in almonds.
We have a pound of sugar, so I use two pounds of
chopped nuts. They must be hot before dropping
them into the sugar-syrup.

“We ought to have regular nougat moulds like confectioners
use, but not having them, I have to take
the flat tin we use for ginger-bread. That is why
I had you chop the nuts very fine—so that the nougat
when it is spread in the tin, can be cut with a knife.

“Into this buttered tin, I press the nougat with the
lemon skin until it is all smoothed out flat. Then I
quickly cut the bars so they can be broken apart when
it is cold. If we had regular moulds we could use the
nuts in much larger pieces.”

.. ---File: 088.png

“I always thought that nougat was a dreadfully
hard candy to make, but it is as simple as rolling off
a log,” declared Hilda.

“I just love it, don’t you?” said Elena, sniffing the
odour that rose from the pan of candy.

“You love any kind of candy. Your mother says
you have a ‘sweet tooth,’” laughed Nita.

“I’ll show you how to make one other kind of candy
and then it will be time for you to go home. It is ten
o’clock now,” said Mrs. Hubert.

“Put a cupful of powdered sugar in a bowl and
add about a quarter of a teaspoonful of cream, or at
least enough to stir the spoon about in the mixture
easily. Be careful not to use too much cream, though,
as that will make it run and not cream itself. Now
add a teaspoonful of lemon or vanilla. We will use
the latter for this cream. Next stir the mixture well
until all lumps are worked smooth like a paste.

“Here, Jane, stone these dates but do not break
them asunder.

“Now girls, as the dates are stoned, you take
enough cream to fill the opening made by the stone.
Then you stick the edges of the date together again
and roll in powdered sugar. They are then placed
on an oiled paper to keep from sticking while drying.”

The creamed dates were soon made and tasted.
Some of the Woodcrafters said they needed a much
larger taste than a single date offered, and Mrs.
Hubert laughed. While the girls were away from the
kitchen to find their hats and coats, the hostess divided
the candy left and gave each amateur confectioner a
package to take home with her.

Saturday with its weekly Council found each girl,
except Eleanor, more than elated with the finished
article of carpentry work to exhibit at the meeting.
Of the entire collection the bead-loom, tabouret, and
chest were considered the best.

“I declare, girls, it is marvelous how neatly you
have fitted the corners and finished the edges of the
work. May’s chest is as pretty and well-made as any
I have ever seen. The hinges and clasp are original
and hand-made, too, I see. Did you originate the
design alone, May?” said the Guide, after admiring
the objects placed in a row on the table.

“Yes, and the copper hinges and clasp are cut and
hammered out of an old sauce-pan mother threw away
a long time ago,” replied pleased May.

“And does the key turn easily?” inquired Miss
Miller, lifting the lid of the chest and examining the
key-hole carefully.

“I haven’t found a key to fit yet!” laughed May.

Then the Guide’s attention was given to an investigation
of the elaborate bead-loom made and decorated
by Zan as her contribution to the contest.

“Does it work, Zan?” queried Miss Miller.

“Not unless it is supplied with motive-power!”

“Then you must have tried it out with a bit of
your tremendous energy,” retorted the Guide, smiling
at the girl’s bright face.

“Not only tried it but finished a strip of bead banding
that takes the cake! I have decided to make
enough trimming to decorate a new ceremonial costume
that will turn every Woodcraft girl green with
envy,” bragged Zan.

“That is a boast indeed! Did you include the
Tribes of other Woodcrafters in that challenge?”

“Yep, everybody but Elizabeth Remington. She
certainly has the loveliest beading I ever saw, but then
she has had two years’ designing at the School of
Art,” replied Zan.

After many comparisons and due deliberation, it
was decided to present May Randall with the prize
for that contest. As May was a beginner and the
chest was her first piece of work, it won a point above
Zan’s loom, which also was a fine piece of work. Both
of these objects were excellent bits of cabinet-work
and so neatly finished and beautifully decorated that
it was a draw. May flushed with happiness when she
heard that Zan awarded the prize to her.

“I think the plan of awarding prizes for best work
is a good one but we should decide upon the prize
before the contest is started each week. What have
you for May to-day?” said Miss Miller.

“Well, this week we were going to present the
winner a solid gold loving cup but our Wampum
Keeper reported a state of bankruptcy so we had to
sacrifice our wishes to conform with the exchequer,”
said Zan, solemnly, while the girls giggled.

“I suggested that we take a picture of May, so I
brought my camera. It can be pasted in the Tally
Book and mentioned as the winner of the carpentry
contest,” said Elena.

“And I thought the film could be enlarged to a
size that will correspond with our cash on hand, and
present it to May,” added Hilda.

“If we make a picture each week of the prize-winner
and article made it will add greatly to the beauty and
interest of the Tally,” ventured the Guide.

“Come on, May, and pose over by the log scenery
to have your picture taken,” called Elena, starting for
the Council Ring.

“Oh wait, Lena! Don’t let’s have an indoor picture.
It will look so much better if posed out-doors,”
cried Nita.

“Let’s go over to the fence-corner next to our
back yard where the group of pines will make a pretty
back-ground,” suggested Frances Mason.

“That’s fine! And we’ll stand May on some of
our logs and have her look happy while holding her
chest!” exclaimed Anne.

“When folks see May holding her chest in the picture,
they’ll think she had a bad cold,” came from
Zan, quickly.

Everyone laughed but Anne added: “Oh, you old
tease, you know what I meant.”

“All right, come on and show us what you
meant!”

“I wish to goodness we had a ceremonial costume
here to dress May and do the picture up in a truly
artistic manner,” sighed Elena.

.. ---File: 092.png

“Hilda and May are about the same size—why
not run Hilda home to get hers?” suggested Jane.

“It won’t take more’n ten minutes, Hilda, if you
jump on a trolley!” added Nita, when Hilda frowned
down the proposition.

A honking from an automobile horn was heard
just then, and Zan jumped up to run to the door,
saying: “Sounds like your machine, Jenny!”

“If it should be Jack, he could drive Hilda over
for the dress,” replied Jane.

Before Zan reached the door of the gymnasium,
however, the tousled head of Fiji Baker appeared at
the opening and he called out ingratiatingly: “Don’t
stop the show for *me*; ‘let joy be unconfined’ as I
just dropped in for a second to see Miss Miller. Jack
is out front tying the bouquets we wish to throw at
the famous dancer!”

Nita laughed for she had confided in the boys and
told them about the new dance scheduled for that
Council Meeting.

“Oh, Fiji, you came in answer to our prayers, I’m
sure. We need someone to hustle Hilda over home
for a most important package she forgot, and now
Jack can fly while you talk with Miss Miller,” explained
Zan, pushing Hilda towards the door as she
spoke.

“You’ll win a *coup* on this for ‘first aid,’” said
Jane to Fiji.

But Fiji paid no attention as he was deeply concerned
over some secret he was whispering to the
Guide. Meantime Hilda was urged to order Jack
to drive as fast as he dared so she could be back with
the costume before the sun went down.

Before Fiji and Miss Miller had finished their engrossing
conversation, Hilda returned and the girls
adjourned to the scenic-screen-room to dress the prize-winner
in a befitting costume.

May was posed first in one attitude, then in another,
till everyone had satisfied her artistic sense of the
picture to be, and perhaps they would all have had
another trial had not May sighed, and cried:

“I’ll be so glad when you really click that trigger!
This box grows heavier and heavier every minute.
I’m sure it weighs a ton by this time.”

Several snap-shots were taken and May placed the
“ton” prize-winner on the ground and stretched her
arms. Then the Woodcrafters filed back to the gymnasium,
where Miss Miller explained the reason of
Fiji’s visit.

“Doctor Baker invites the Band to join the boys
in a week-end camp near-by the city. Fiji said he
and the other boys have been scouting about for some
days trying to find just the right kind of a site where
girls would be comfortable.” Miss Miller paused here
to allow the announcement to sink in.

“Huh! I guess Dad wants our Band to act as sort
of a brake on those boys’ speed,” commented Zan,
nevertheless pleased at the invitation.

“Won’t it be fun?” cried Jane.

“Where will it be, Miss Miller?” asked Nita.

.. ---File: 094.png

“Why, Fiji says they have found a wonderful
place on the sea-side of Staten Island. ‘The woods
almost meet the beach,’ he said.”

“Oh, can’t we try that aqua-planing Elizabeth Remington
told us of?” eagerly questioned Zan.

“We haven’t any to try with,” replied Jane.

“Fred Remington told Fiji the other day that it
was the easiest thing to make. Just one, two, three!
and it is done!” declared Zan, snapping her fingers
with each count.

“I have it! Let’s invite Elizabeth to join us in
camp and then add, as an after-thought, how nice it
would be if she brought her plane,” exclaimed Nita,
showing that there were still some undestroyed self-motives
in her character.

“Even so, there wouldn’t be any motive-power
unless Zan supplied some of her boundless energy,”
laughed the Guide.

“It won’t work in deep water, Miss Miller,” retorted
Zan.

“If Elizabeth is invited for the plane why not ask
Fred and Billy for their launch?” now suggested
Jane.

“Sure enough! You tell Jack to, will you?”
chorused some of the girls.

After a lively Council Meeting, the Woodcrafters
started eagerly homeward for they were anticipating
the camp and wanted to hear what the boys had to
say about the plane and launch.

But it happened that Fiji and Jack had already
thought of the launch and had invited Fred and his
younger brother before the girls spoke of it. The
plane was another matter and they agreed to see
Elizabeth about joining them.

The campers intended starting for the trip immediately
after school on Friday afternoon. Three automobiles—the
Bakers’, Huberts’, and Remingtons’—would
carry them and their luggage to the place selected.
Fred, Billy, and Bob Baker would go in the
launch, while Fiji and Jack planned to paddle their
canoe around the Island to the beach where the camp
was to be.

The canoe owned by the two boys was kept on the
lake in Branch Brook Park when the boys were in
the city, but during their vacations they usually took
it with them. It now had to be transported across
the city to the Passaic River. Here the boys arranged
to meet the express-man and sail it from that point to
Staten Island Sound, thence to the sea-beach-shore of
the Island.

Fred Remington planned to sail the launch along
the same route but he would start later in the day.
The canoemen would start in the morning if clear.
The girls in the cars would leave directly after school
in the afternoon, and all expected to meet about the
same time on the woodland site chosen by the boys.

The days preceding Friday afternoon were an
anxious time for the Woodcrafters for they feared it
might rain yet hoped that the weather would be
glorious.

.. ---File: 096.png

The camera picture of May and the chest was developed
and printed and proved to be a great success.
It was named “The Prize-winner,” and the film was
sent away to be enlarged. Meantime, the Woodcraft
Chest had been left on Miss Miller’s table in the gymnasium
as she wished to show it to the scholars who
were becoming interested in Woodcraft.

Tuesday afternoon, when she wished to lock the
chest in her private closet, it was not to be found. She
sought everywhere, asked the janitor, and telephoned
the girls, but no one had seen or heard a thing about it.

Miss Miller worried herself ill over the loss, not
so much because of the value of the chest but because
it proved there was a dishonest scholar in that school!
May was heart-broken too, as it was her first accomplishment
in Woodcraft and she was so proud of it,
that she had invited all her friends to be sure and call
to see it as soon as it was home in her possession.
And now it might never be heard from again!

.. ---File: 097.png

CHAPTER SIX—THE LOST CAMPERS
============================

In spite of pessimistic prognostications about the
weather, Friday came and it was a perfect
Autumn day. Fiji Baker and Jack Hubert were up
at day-break as their express-man carted the canoe
from the Park that early so it would not interfere
with his regular calls and cartage for the day.

Fred and his crew started at noon in their launch,
and at three o’clock the merry Woodcrafters stood
about the gymnasium door waiting for the three automobiles
which would have the luggage and other equipment
packed in them before stopping for the girls.

While waiting, Nita showed the girls a new Flower
and Butterfly dance she had invented. It was most
graceful and the girls applauded heartily. Miss Miller
smiled as she said:

“Nita, there is no use in trying to train you for
aught else than a dancing flower in a wandering breeze,
or a charming little humming-bird that lightly caresses
every blossom in passing.”

“Miss Miller should have a *coup* for spontaneous
poetry,” laughed Nita, well-pleased at the Guide’s
sincere praise.

“Yes, the Tribe must hand it to its Guide for finding
something religious or poetical in any prosaic thing
she finds. Not that Nita is prosaic by any means, but
there have been times when Miss Miller’s muse has
been inspired with nothing more to base its flight upon
than an ordinary dust-cloth or common potato!”
laughed Zan.

The sound of approaching automobiles caused poesy
and dancing to end and soon the girls were gayly
seated in the cars. Such chattering and laughter as
sounded from the passengers as the machines sped
swiftly cross-town and reached the ferry where they
had to take the boat to reach Staten Island!

“Miss Miller,” asked Anne Mason, as they waited
for a ferry-boat to dock, “can we new members start
to collect flowers and do some tree lessons, or birds
and star knowing, to catch up with your five founders
of the Band?”

“Yes, you can, but why not leave those studies and
do them at odd times when the older members have
other things to do? We might all work together at
this camp to find many interesting things to start new
collections. For instance, the shells and other marine
objects.”

“I never thought of that,” replied Anne.

“The new members are so anxious to have individual
Tally Books, you see, Miss Miller,” explained
Zan, “and they haven’t any pressed flowers or blue
prints or other things to record as we have in ours.”

“If only you would wait until we catch up with
you,” sighed May Randall.

.. ---File: 099.png

“You can soon do that, girls, by using every spare
moment when not otherwise engaged, to learn about
the stars, find flowers and insects, and study trees and
Nature in the Park. Then we can witness and sign
your honour claims at a Council,” added the
Guide.

“You new girls haven’t made your Tallies yet,”
said Hilda.

“That is one of the things we want you to tell us
about,” said Frances Mason.

“I think I have enough pieces of tanned leather
to give each girl a cover,” now offered Zan.

“And we have enough thong and beads to bind the
books and tie the pages,” added Elena.

“Then the girls ought to buy the page paper and
make their Tallies at once, so everything can be entered
in proper order,” advised the Guide.

“Miss Miller, maybe we can try for the degree of
canoeman while we camp near the water,” ventured
Jane.

Miss Miller said nothing to this but smiled and
shook her head. She wondered if the girls understood
the experience necessary before winning a degree of
that kind.

Jim, the Bakers’ chauffeur, and Alfred, the Remingtons’
chauffeur, had each been given concise directions
how to find the camp-site. Bob had drawn a
road-map for Jim, and Fred had sketched a rough
plan of where to turn. So Jim led the three cars as
they left the ferry.

.. ---File: 100.png

After travelling several miles, he consulted Bob’s
map.

“I don’t seem to quite get this clear! Master Bob’s
got here ‘Good woodland road,’ but all I can find
is this swamp and that wood-cutters’ trail on the far
side!” said Jim.

The other two cars came up, and Alfred said:
“Can you make head or tail out of the map, Jim?”

“I was jus’ sayin’ that Master Bob must have been
dreamin’ about this ‘good woodland road,’” returned
Jim.

“Let’s take this road—it looks fine—and see if we
come to a woodland road further on,” suggested Miss
Miller.

So the opposite direction was taken, hoping they
might find the good road mentioned on the map.
After riding for twenty minutes more, the chauffeurs
suddenly found the sign-post marked on both
maps.

“Now ain’t that funny! It’s the post all right,
but we never came by that woodland road!” declared
Jim.

“Let’s be thankful we found one land-mark they
put down for us to follow!” grumbled Alfred, where-upon
everyone laughed.

In vain did they seek for other land-marks or objects
to correspond to those marked on the maps. They
found good roads but nothing to lead them to believe
they were following directions. Finally, as they all
halted for another conference, Alfred stood up and
looked about. He scratched his head back of the ear
as if in a quandary.

“Let’s hear it, Alfred,” laughed Elizabeth.

“Well, I was thinkin’! Your maw came this very
road last Spring when she camped her Tribe on
Decoration Day. Why not go this way and trust to
luck to bring us to the boys’ camp?”

“It would be all right for us but what about the
boys?” asked Zan.

“They have to pass by your site on their way
up the shore and you can hail them,” suggested
Jim.

“It’s growing late, girls, and we have to pitch tents,
get ready to cook supper, and lots of other work,”
warned the Guide.

“Then let’s follow Alfred’s advice and take a chance
on finding the boys,” agreed Elizabeth.

As they started again to cross the Island to find the
camping place Mrs. Remington had used that Spring
Elizabeth told them what a Paradise it was. Woods,
beach, cliff for diving, spring of fine water, and
everything a Woodcrafter could wish for.

Finally Alfred turned in on the hard sandy beach
and in a short time stopped by a small promontory
of sand that ran out like a finger into the sea. On
top of this cliff and as far back as one could see, were
the woods, with a clearing in the foreground that
Alfred said had been used for the tents when Mrs.
Remington camped there.

The Woodcrafters exclaimed in surprise at the place
that seemed made to order for them, and Zan added:
“Fiji’s discovery can’t be better than this!”

The chauffeurs helped carry the outfits to the clearing
on top of the cliff, and when all was done, Alfred
said: “I ought to be goin’, Miss ’Lizabeth, ’cause
your father comes in on that six o’clock train, you
know, and it takes a full hour to get there from here!”

“Oh, it can’t be five o’clock yet, Alfred,” cried
Elizabeth, surprised.

“It is five of five,” replied Miss Miller, consulting
her watch.

“Good gracious! Where are those boys?” cried
Zan.

“We surely must be at the wrong site, but we will
remain where we are for to-night, anyway,” added
Jane.

“Jim, if Fiji ’phones home to ask where we are
try and direct him how to find us, will you?” said Zan.

Shortly after the automobiles left, Elizabeth spied
a fleck of white out on the water, and with her experienced
eye saw it bob up and down.

“Zan, bring the glasses! I’m sure I see the white
launch,” cried she, keeping her eye on the distant spot.

“Where? I can’t see a thing but some white-caps,”
said Zan, handing the glasses to Elizabeth.

“That’s because you never spent your Summers on
an Island off the Maine coast like I have,” laughed
the girl, focussing the glasses.

“It’s Fred and his crew, all right!” cried Elizabeth,
passing the glasses to Zan.

.. ---File: 103.png

“Oh yes, I can see them now, but aren’t they going
very slow for a motor launch?” called Zan.

“Maybe something broke down and they can’t get
in,” said Eleanor Wilbur, who had been more than
pleasant and obliging all that week.

“No, they are labouring against wind and tides,
I guess,” remarked Elizabeth, who was busy with a
long strip of linen which happened to be packed with
the stores when Mrs. Remington made up the hamper.

“What are you doing?” asked one of the girls.

“I’m using this linen Mother sent for bandages
if we had to use them, for a signal flag. I’ll stick it
out on that dead pine tree on the cliff and Fred will
surely see it.”

“And we might build a smoke-fire,” suggested Zan.

“Yes, do that. Then we can signal them that we
are lost,” chuckled Jane, running to gather red pine
bark.

Finally, the steam whistle on the launch signalled
that the boys had seen the smoke and flag, and later
the launch beached where it made a good landing-place.

The girls helped the sailors transport their luggage
from the launch to the clearing on the cliff, and Zan
remarked: “I see you brought the aqua-plane.”

“Bet your life! Betsy would have sent us back
for it had we forgotten to bring it,” laughed Fred,
as he climbed the sandy side of the cliff.

Once on top where he found the Guide and other
girls making camp, he said: “Where are the other
boys? Fishing?”

“No, we never met each other as planned. I think
they are camping at some other spot,” said Zan.

“They’ll hunt us up quick enough when it’s time
for supper. You see we brought the hampers,”
laughed Jane.

Fred looked serious, however. “We had a dreadful
time rounding the Island where the sea sweeps in
through the Narrows. It was all we could do to stem
the current. Even as it was, we had to go way out
of our road to avoid the swift tide.”

“You don’t think anything could have happened
to them, do you?” cried Zan, anxiously.

“I shouldn’t wonder but what they have been over-turned,”
now added Eleanor, with her pessimistic
propensity.

“Not that at all, girls, only they may have been
swept so far out of their course that paddles couldn’t
help them along very fast. Then they may have to
camp wherever they are,” said Fred.

“All the same, you know as well as I do, that lots
of folks are drowned off this shore—’specially boys.
You can read about a death that way every day!”
persisted Eleanor.

“Then they didn’t know how to swim like Fiji and
Jack do. Why, they’re regular water-rats!” replied
Fred, optimistically.

“Swimming won’t help much if they have cramps!
That sinks you like lead!” countered Eleanor again.

.. ---File: 105.png

Miss Miller heard the whole conversation and also
saw Zan and Jane turn pale when they first thought
of danger to their brothers. Until this time they
thought it a great joke that they had found such a fine
site and were camping with all the foodstuff.

At Eleanor’s first exclamation the Guide had
frowned, for her religion was one of practical common
sense and cheerful optimism. She looked about
for something to interest the girls and, at the same
time, stop Eleanor from talking, so when she heard
the last rejoinder to Fred’s attempts at encouraging
Zan and Jane, she called to Eleanor:

“Will you help me unpack these hampers, while the
other girls gather fire-wood? Zan, suppose Jane and
you keep the signal fires burning on that cliff’s edge.
The boys will see the smoke if they are near here.”

Eleanor walked slowly over to Miss Miller, frowning
as she went. But the Guide failed to notice it
as she was busy with the camp dishes and pans.

“Will you put these bags of groceries over in the
box that stands in my tent?” asked the Guide, holding
up the paper bags.

“Why must I play kitchen-mechanic while all the
other girls are having a good time in the woods?”
complained Eleanor.

At the words and tone, the Guide looked up amazed.

“Good gracious, I thought you would prefer to do
this to stooping and collecting old wood,” said she,
vexed at the girl.

“You take particular pains to make me do the unpleasant
things, I notice. Now, when I was trying
to prepare Zan and Jane for the worst, you called me
to get me away from them. Don’t I know?” sneered
Eleanor, loftily.

“Woodcrafters never prepare for the worst! It is
our rule to always wait for the best and let the worst
take care of itself!” declared Miss Miller, wondering
what under the sun she was to do with this undesirable
character.

“Oh! you are so preachy! One never takes a turn
but you have a lecture ready—generally on this Woodcraft!”
cried Eleanor impatiently. “The other girls
flatter you by calling it ‘poesy’ and artistic temperament,
but I call ‘a spade a spade’!”

“Do you?” queried Miss Miller, suddenly making
up her mind what to do. “Then you won’t object
if I ‘take the bull by the horns’—another old saying!”

“You may take anything by his horns if you choose,
it won’t concern me in the least!” said Eleanor, disdainfully,
as well as significantly.

“Then sit down right where you are!” ordered
Miss Miller with a determined manner that made
Eleanor glance at her in wonderment.

“Sit down, I said!”

“Why should I obey you?” questioned Eleanor,
stubbornly.

“Because I am in command of this camp and what
I say goes without questioning. Either do as I bid
you or take your bag and start for home at once!”

.. ---File: 107.png

“Wh—h—y! You couldn’t do that!” gasped
Eleanor.

“We can oust you from camp and send you away
but it is up to you whether you return home or hang
about the woods.”

Eleanor had never camped before and it was a new
experience she had looked forward to because of the
joys claimed by the other Woodcrafters. But to
wander in the woods alone in the dark was quite a
foreign plan to the one she had anticipated. She was
hungry, too, and being sent away at once meant going
without supper. She glanced from the corners of her
eyes to see just how far Miss Miller might carry out
her threat, but the Guide was watching her with a
stern expression.

Eleanor, not knowing what to do at the moment,
sat down to gain time. Miss Miller, who feared she
might weaken in her sudden and unprecedented manner
of severity, immediately spoke.

“I have watched you most carefully for the past
two weeks and I have seen things you never dreamed
of! Now, I am going to have it out with you!”

At this, Eleanor went white and trembled. She
cowered as if she expected a blow, but she refused to
look at the Guide.

“You will remember a threat you made to May
Randall the day you stopped to see how the girls were
progressing with their work?” asked Miss Miller,
referring to the lack of interest the girl displayed in
carpentry and the unkind words she used to May.

.. ---File: 108.png

“Oh for goodness’ sake don’t say a word about
that old chest! I wish to goodness I had never seen
May Randall and her Woodcraft box!” cried Eleanor,
as if driven to desperation.

Miss Miller was as surprised now as the girl had
been a few moments before, but she rallied much
quicker than the guilty one. The truth flashed over
her quick mind and she changed her query accordingly.

“It is a pity that you ever gave in to temptation.
You certainly can’t blame your covert acts on May
or any other being. The evil we do is absolutely our
own fault, for every man is a free agent to choose
what he will do. Sometimes it is fear or cowardice
that drives one to do an evil deed but it is the downright
criminal that obeys an evil idea or plan, knowing
he is doing a thing that condemns him to the world
and in his own estimation, too.”

“Well, what do you want to do about it? Did
you call me over here to tell me what you thought of
me? Why didn’t you do it before to-day, then I
wouldn’t have come?” cried Eleanor, still defiantly.

“I hadn’t the least idea of speaking to you about
May’s chest until you brought it upon yourself. I
was going to mention something entirely different
until you compelled me to say what I did just now.”

“And you kept this secret all to yourself this
week?” cried Eleanor, looking at Miss Miller with
a kindlier expression.

“Eleanor,” said the Guide, catching at that tiny
hope of softening the stubborn girl, “I do not think
another member in the Band dreams that you had
anything to do with the missing chest, and I do not
think anyone but you and I suspects the truth.”

“And you let me come with the Tribe knowing
this about me?” Eleanor’s gaze dropped to the
ground and she sat thinking.

According to Miss Miller’s code, when one began
to think earnestly over anything, or tried introspection
of one’s self, it was a symptom of recovery, even
though there might be a long siege of diseased conditions
before perfect health was attained. So she remained
silent waiting for Eleanor to think some
more.

“You’re either mighty fair to me or you’re keeping
this thing quiet for fear others will hear of it and so
belittle your influence with the girls,” finally declared
Eleanor.

“Don’t you think you are judging unfairly, after
you just said ‘I was fair’? Why should I hesitate
to make you resign from our Tribe for doing a dastardly
trick with May’s box? No one but you and I
would ever know the truth about it, and I’m sure you
wouldn’t mention it to anyone, because you are heartily
ashamed of the deed. If I was afraid of others’
opinions about my Band of Girls, I would make you
resign before any other tricks were perpetrated by
you. But I *am* fair and I want to see you make good,
now that you have this Woodcraft opportunity, hence
I am talking to you instead of sending you away.”

.. ---File: 110.png

“Then, all I can say, is, that you’re all right!”
declared Eleanor. But in another second she felt
suspicious again.

“I suppose, now that I’ve admitted the deed, you’ll
have me up for a public reprimand. It goes with a
teacher’s ideals of training!”

The Guide could not but admire the girl’s quick
mental powers and thought what a wonderful woman
she would make if her character and mind were but
trained properly instead of along the lines of this
present example.

“I thought we might arrange it this way, if I had
your word of honour that you would work hard to
destroy the ‘little foxes that destroy the vines’; you
can replace the chest by leaving it at my home, or
send it by messenger to the gymnasium Monday noon.
I will put it in the closet and send a note to May saying
that the box was found but the conditions for
return were that no questions were to be asked. At
the same time I expect you to volunteer the information,
thus clearing the school children.”

Eleanor sat glowering at the Guide for full three
minutes as if to read her true reasons for this leniency,
but Miss Miller understood enough of psychology to
realise that this was the great crisis. In that interchange
of heart-readings, Eleanor saw only truth and
loving sympathy shine from the woman’s eyes, and
Miss Miller saw the adamant of wilfulness break ever
so little.

The Guide knew that just so much love and forbearance
as she really felt in her innermost heart for
this misled girl, just so much could she influence and
lift her at this crucial time. So she prayed, oh, so
fervently, to the Great Spirit for help and light to
do exactly the right thing. And that silent prayer
must have been the glorified light that shone from her
eyes for it led Eleanor to melt as she had never melted
before. She leaned her head over on the grass and
wept bitterly.

Miss Miller rose and left the repentant girl alone,
while she noisily busied herself with the pots and pans.
She knew that not words or pity but silent calling
upon Omnipotence for strength and faith would be
the balm that would help and heal this weak reed
swayed by evil’s suggestions.

As the Guide washed some potatoes she said to herself
in a low murmur: “Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil—for Thine is the
Power!”

Then: “Miss Miller,” sounded a weak little voice
at her side, “shall I wipe the dishes with a clean
towel?”

“Yes, dear, I wish you would.”

And that was all.

“Guess what we found, Miss Miller?” called a
chorus of voices, as the fire-gatherers returned with
armfuls of dry wood.

“Mushrooms?”

“Wh—hy, who told you?” cried the girls, looking
about for the messenger.

.. ---File: 112.png

“That little bird just flew by and whispered it in
my ear,” laughed Miss Miller, pointing to a great
sea-gull that hovered over their heads.

Everyone laughed and Jane added: “Yes, mushrooms
but not enough for all. If we only had a steak
they would make a fine sauce.”

“Oh gee! That reminds me I forgot my donation
to the party!” cried Bob Baker, springing up from
the grass where he had thrown himself, and running
down to the launch.

“Bob trawled all the way and caught some pretty
good sized fish. I thought all decent sized fish were
driven out of these waters by the traffic and pollution
from sewers, but I was mistaken,” explained Fred,
watching Bob run back with his catch.

“Now we can use the mushrooms!” cried
Zan.

“Fred, why don’t you cook the fish the way
father taught us on Sunset Island?” asked Elizabeth.

“Just as Miss Miller says,” replied Fred, looking
at the Guide.

“Miss Miller says cook the whole supper if you
like, then we can take a swim. You boys have had
your dip, you know,” laughed she.

“Now, how did you know that? We boys said
we wouldn’t let you know it!” cried Bob.

“Really, you are uncanny, Miss Miller,” added
Fred.

“Anyone could tell Bob had been in, from his damp
curly pate, and Billy still has the brine sticking up
about his scalp. If I should need any further evidence
I might say that one of the younger boys put on Fred’s
socks by mistake, or else he made a blunder when he
mentioned his size to the clerk who sold them,” said
the Guide, smiling.

Everyone glanced at Billy’s feet, and lo! the socks
were hanging loosely down over his shoes, several sizes
too large for him, while Fred’s turned-up white
trousers showed socks so tight that they stopped the
circulation at the top, but the tops only reached to the
place where his shoes ended.

A peal of laughter rang out and echoed through the
woods at the sight the three surprised boys made, and
Zan said:

“Just for that, you have to cook supper while we
take a dip!”

“We’re game. Not because we took a swim before
we got here, but because you’ve got such an all-round
fine clairvoyant!” laughed Fred, looking at Miss
Miller with admiration.

“Shall we wait supper for Fiji and Jack?” asked
Bob.

“They’ll be given something should they come
straggling in late, but I firmly believe they went to
their own camp-site and are now pitying us for not
having found them,” said Miss Miller.

“And you can leave it to Jack to have something
to eat! He never takes a chance on going without
a square meal!” added Jane.

.. ---File: 114.png

“We’ll keep the signal-fire going all night and when
it is dark they can see it and get their bearings for us
in the morning,” suggested Fred.

So the girls ran to their tents to hurry into bathing
suits and take a swim before the call came for supper.

.. ---File: 115.png

CHAPTER SEVEN—CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END
==========================================

“Come ahead, boys, clean the fish and get them
ready for me to cook,” called Fred, starting
to dig a hole in the ground about twice the size of
the fish. This he thickly lined with large sized shore
pebbles which had been well washed. On top of these
stones he built a good fire until it thoroughly heated
the stones to a white heat.

Meantime Bob and Billy cleaned and washed the
fish, then placed a thick strip of bacon inside each
one. They salted, peppered, and floured the fish ready
to cook.

When the fire-pit was ready, Fred raked out the
cinders and put a layer of clean grass on top of the
red-hot stones. He laid out the fish on this and covered
them with a layer of the grass, and on top of
this he spread a thin layer of sand. Then he piled
in the glowing cinders and kept the fire burning fiercely
on top of Nature’s sauce-pan.

The Guide returned from her bath while the fish
were cooking and expressed deep interest in the new
method of cooking she saw demonstrated before her.
Fred explained how he built the oven and a note was
made to enter the splendid idea in the Tribe’s Tally.

.. ---File: 116.png

“Are the fish most done?” asked Elizabeth, sniffing
for an odour of the cooking.

“Be ready about the same time the rest of the supper
is,” replied Fred.

“That’s a new kind of a pot-hanger, Miss Miller,”
said Zan, pointing to the sapling Fred had rigged up.

“I’ll tell you girls just how I made this fire-place,”
offered he. “Large stones are so plentiful about
here, so I took some flat ones and built the fire inside
the narrow aperture made by laying the stones in two
rows parallel to each other. The sauce-pans stand
close over the fire and are quite firm on these flat
stones, and the building does not take as long to complete
as a log fire-place.

“These two green logs were found by Billy, and
you can see for yourselves that the angle they make
as placed, provides a resting place for various sized
pots—small to large—the large ones setting on the
widest opening of the angle. The fire built between
the logs is easily kept clean by raking out the dead ash
from the widest opening.

“Now this is a good form of pot-hanger where
you want a kettle to hang directly over a fire. I found
a good sapling that had a well-defined notch made by
two branches. These I cut down to about three inches
in length. The bottom of the sapling I trimmed to
a point to drive into the ground the right distance I
wanted.

“Then I trimmed another forked sapling similar
to the first but much longer. This I fitted into the
crotch of the upright stick, with the forked end
directly over the fire, and the opposite end held firmly
to the ground by means of a stump or flat stone. You
see, this forked device of the end over the fire keeps
the handle of the pot from slipping off, and the long
end held to the ground by a weight gives the kettle
enough swing to resist any extra contents.

“While you’re all here seeing me do it, let me tell
you a fine stunt if the weather is bad and tents are
damp, or cots cold and uncomfortable,” added Fred,
as he concluded his talk on pot-hangers. “When you
are through cooking dinner, you can take these red-hot
fire-stones by means of a stout stick and a dishpan,
and carry them to the tent. In a short time, the heat
rising from the stones will dry the atmosphere. If
the cots are damp and cold, place the pan of hot
stones under the bed and they will soon dry and be
warm as toast all night. If you want the temperature
of the tent to keep warm all night, place a layer of
moss or grass over the stones. The rock will retain
its heat for hours after removing it from the fire.”

“Well! If Fred Remington doesn’t know everything!”
sighed Elena, admiringly.

“I wish you were a member of our Tribe,” added
Zan.

“Who wouldn’t be an expert Woodcrafter with
such a mother! Why, she was an enthusiastic worker
in the plan long before a regular League started. Besides,
we spend our Summers on the Island in Maine,
and what we don’t know from camping at home we
ferret out from the farmers and fishermen on the
Coast. My uncles own the neighbouring islands to
ours and they enjoy out-door life, too. So we all
have a good time experimenting with new ideas and
remembering the good ones for future use,” explained
Fred, eagerly.

“Fred knows so much about camping and cooking
because he won a degree for Camp Cook. Besides,
he and his Tribe go hiking and camping every Saturday
and Fred has charge of the party. I am working
for the degree this year, and I’m sure I shall win it,”
said Elizabeth, who was cooking a concoction she
wished to try out.

“It behooves Wako Tribe to keep on friendly terms
with you, Elizabeth,” remarked the Guide, smiling
at Zan.

“Oh, we found that out long ago, Miss Miller,”
retorted the Chief.

“What is that stuff you are fixing, Betsy? It
smells awful good,” asked Hilda, sniffing at the steam
that rose from the pot Elizabeth was using for her
brew.

“I call it ‘hastychowder’ and it is made this way,
in case you girls want to try it sometime: To one
can of corn, take four cups of potatoes cut into small
dice, two ounces of salt pork, also cut fine, a small
onion, and about four ounces of crackers. Fry the
pork and onions brown and then add the corn and
potatoes. Cover this with water and cook until the
vegetables are soft. Then add the milk and some salt,
and lastly the crackers. If the crackers are soaked
in milk for a time before using, I think it makes the
chowder better.”

“Well, whatever you call it or cook it, it smells
mighty good to me,” said Jane.

“Girls, I wanted to have plain cooked rice with the
fish, but how can I cook it when every pot and place
is in use?” asked the Guide, looking at the array of
pans and pots all holding food.

“Ha! You’d make a poor tenderfoot if you were
lost on the mountains with no outfit!” laughed Fred.

“What would you do in that case?” asked the
Guide.

“Watch me! May I have a bit of this birch bark
the girls brought back with them from the woods?”
asked Fred.

“Help yourself,” replied Zan.

Fred quickly selected a strip of bark about ten
inches wide. This he folded end to end to form a
round tube. The edges were stitched with wire-grass.
Then he sewed a bottom on one end and it represented
a bark pail. Next he plastered clay on the outside
seams, and rubbed some gum from a wild cherry tree
on the seams of the inside, saying: “If we had time
to let the clay dry I wouldn’t use the gum on the inside,
but now I need to make it water-proof.”

Then he filled this vessel with water and selected
two red-hot stones of a smaller size than the others,
and dropped them in the water. Instantly, the water
began boiling and the rice, which Miss Miller had
washed, was poured into the vessel and a cover placed
over the top.

“When our dinner is ready, the rice will be steamed,
too,” said Fred, placing the bark vessel on a flat stone
near the fire-place.

“Well I never!” ejaculated some of the girls, while
Elena hastily sketched the birch-bark holder and wrote
down the rules for manufacturing it.

“Now girls, lay the cloth and have the dishes ready
for the chowder,” called Elizabeth, tasting the liquid
from the tip of a spoon.

“I wish those two boys were here to enjoy this
scrumptious meal,” said Jane, sighing as she thought
of their loss.

The chowder was dished up and eaten with sounds
of many smacks and “Ahs!” Then the fish were removed
from the oven and as the aroma of the flaky
and sweet meat reached the nostrils of the Woodcrafters,
a chorus of “Um’s!” echoed about the camp-circle.

Every morsel of that supper vanished like ice in the
July sunshine and was declared the best ever tasted
by the campers. The gray of evening crept over sky
and sea and earth as the Woodcrafters sat about the
dying embers of the camp-fire hoping for a call or
signal from the two boys, which would warn them of
their approach. But in spite of the torch Fred kept
burning on the Cliff, nothing was heard or seen from
the wanderers.

Eleanor had been very quiet and meek since her
confession to the Guide, but old ingrained habits are
not thrown off in one moment of repentance. When
Fred returned from the Cliff with the report that he
saw no sign of a fire or signal, she remarked:

“Well, you said the current was dreadfully strong
just around the end of the Island. Maybe they
couldn’t make it and are being carried out to sea in
the canoe.”

“Oh no, they’re all right,” assured Fred, glancing
at Zan and Jane.

“But they may have lost the paddles, or a dozen
of any many things may have happened. Boys are
always careless with an open boat,” persisted Eleanor.

“Miss Miller, we’ll put an end to this dread by
going to the nearest telephone station. If the boys
think we’re lost they will ’phone home sometime before
morning, and then they can tell them where we
are. If they have already ’phoned we will find out
and rest easier for the news,” said Fred, pulling Bob
up from his lounge by the fire.

“It’s too dark to see where we’re going,” grumbled
Bob, who had enjoyed the chowder and fish overmuch.

“Not when my lanterns are ready. Watch me,”
said Fred, picking up the two empty tins left from
the corn, and slitting a hole in the side of each. The
lid-ends were bent back and a candle fitted in the
openings, then the jagged ends were pressed back
into the tallow. The one end of the can was cut out
entirely and the opposite end which had been cut open
to remove the corn was bent back on the small piece
of tin uncut and used as a handle for the impromptu
lanterns.

Enough light reflected from the shiny tin of the
inside cans to show the boys where to walk, and they
started off on the hazard of finding a house or village
where they could use a telephone.

“Let’s study the stars while they are gone. Who
can tell us a new story or find the old planets?” suggested
Zan.

So the time passed quickly until the campers heard
a whoop from the woods and saw the flickering of
the two lights as the boys approached the fire.

“What did you find out?” cried Jane and Zan, as
they jumped up from the grass to run and meet the
messengers.

“Good joke on Jack and Fiji! They just telephoned
a few minutes before we did. They were
wondering what had happened to you girls. They
said that Bob knew well enough where to go as he
saw the tree blazed as a sign for you,” said
Fred.

“So I did, but the day we came over to hunt up a
site, we were in the auto and to-day I came by boat,
so it looked very different. Besides, both places look
alike as far as woods and beach and sandy cliff go,”
responded Bob.

“Did they say they would look us up to-night?”
asked Zan.

“They haven’t the slightest idea where to find us
in the dark, so they will remain at the camp where
they are and pick us up in the morning,” explained
Fred.

“Well, thank goodness, we know they are safe and
sound, although I felt sure they were, right along,”
sighed Jane.

“Yes, indeed, two athletic boys like Fiji and Jack
would be all right,” added Eleanor, really believing
her own words—such is the changeableness of a dual
nature.

The tired Woodcrafters then retired and sighed as
they stretched out weary bones on the cots or under
the stars on soft pine beds.

“Gee! This is the life!” chuckled Bob, as he
bounced up and down on the springy spruce-tip
bed.

“Guess the midgets haven’t reached you yet!”
grumbled Billy, as he slapped viciously at an unseen
plague.

Then Fred began slapping and whipping the air,
and finally Bob felt the mosquitoes and midgets bite,
until all three boys jumped up again and began building
a smudge fire.

“Oh boys! If you would only come over to our
camp and help us build a smoke like yours! We can’t
sleep a wink!” cried Zan.

Fred and his helpers soon had a number of small
smudge fires burning about the tents and the girls
thanked them sincerely as they felt relief from the
pesky insects that make camping a trial.

The gay carolling of a few late birds woke the
campers, and Miss Miller was soon out ready to start
breakfast. The others all declared for a morning
dip, and were soon splashing and playing in the surf.
The boys preferred to go in later, however, and take
the morning hour before breakfast to catch some
fish.

“Maybe we’ll get enough for breakfast and dinner,
too!” said Bob.

By the time the girls were dressed, the boys returned
to land with three goodly sized fish and the
news that they had spied a smoke rising from a campfire
some two miles down the shore.

“It’s Fiji and Jack—I wish we could surprise them
at breakfast,” laughed Zan.

“I have an idea!” ventured Bob. “Right after
breakfast, let’s take as many as can get in the launch
and start down the coast; the others can hike through
the woods and meet us there. On the way back we
will make the others ride home and the first batch
walk.”

“I’ll ride the aqua-plane,” offered Elizabeth.

“Why don’t you let some of the other girls do
that?” asked Fred.

“They don’t know how.”

“But it isn’t hard to learn. I can show them how
to balance in a few trials. Do you want to try after
breakfast, Zan?” returned Fred.

“Oh, I’d love it!” cried Zan.

So breakfast was quickly disposed of because the
girls anticipated great sport with the plane. Billy was
detailed to steer the launch while Fred showed the
girls how to balance and guide the ropes to make the
aqua-plane skim lightly over the waves.

After many upsets and great shouting and excitement,
the girls could manage the plane quite well.
Then as the young engineer increased the speed of
the launch and the plane fairly flew over the water,
the riders felt as if they were aviators, the sense of
the rest for their feet disappearing in the dizzy pace
with which they sped over the surf.

“I thought you folks wanted to hunt up the lost
boys?” called Miss Miller, when she thought the girls
had had enough of the drenching sport for that
morning.

“So we will, now that we can take turns on the
plane as we go alongshore,” called back Zan.

“We’ll have to draw lots for the pleasure—there
are too many here to ride on the way down,” said
Fred.

The lot was chosen by having each girl draw a blade
of grass from the Guide’s hand. The shortest piece
would win. It fell to Elizabeth, and the other girls
all said it was a reward for her sacrifice of enjoying
the fun while the others were practising.

The girls who were to hike were just ready to start
out when a canoe shot around the point of the promontory
and a voice bawled out:

“Well, I must say! A lot of fine friends Jack
and I have!”

“I must say! You’re a nice host to lead a lot of

.. ---File: 126.png

“Don’t tell me you never knew that! Why, everyone
knows that a clam swims in with the tide and burrows
down in the wet sand to sleep. If you walk
over its little mound it spurts water up like a geyser,”
returned Zan.

“Come on, girls, let’s make ’em spurt!” urged
Billy, who was very fond of all sports, fishing included.

The launch and aqua-plane were drawn up on the
beach and soon sixteen busy clam-diggers were bending
over, laughing, and calling to each other, at every
clam discovered. It was great fun.

After half an hour of this pastime, the Guide asked
Zan and Hilda to go with her and build a fire and
prepare the kettle for the chowder. But they had
scarcely completed the laying of the fire-wood when
Eleanor joined them.

“Oh, my back aches so! I think clamming is dreadfully
hard work. How you folks can find sport in
everything you do is beyond me. Now I would much
rather help fix the fire and let one of you two girls
take my place clamming,” remarked Eleanor.

“The fire’s all ready, and Miss Miller is going to
start the chowder. But you can help collect more
wood from that grove so we will have a pile on
hand,” said Zan, with a frown.

Eleanor ran away and Zan looked at the Guide,
but her face expressed nothing that would encourage
the girl to criticise the indolent member of the
Band.

.. figure:: images/wood-132.jpg
   :align: center

   A DIP IN THE “BRINY DEEP.”

Eleanor was gone a long time without having
brought in any wood when Hilda was asked to go in
search of her.

“Good gracious me! Not only does Eleanor make
a burden of herself for the Band but now she needs
a nurse to watch and keep her from mischief!” declared
Hilda, impatiently.

Hilda ran off and Zan stood watching her out of
sight. Then she turned to the Guide: “Now what
next?”

“I have just been thinking that we might have
potatoes with fish for lunch and save that chowder
for supper when the visitors are here.”

“Um—it’s very filling, I have heard,” commented
Zan.

Miss Miller laughed. “Yes, and it needs a long
time for cooking well. Besides, we won’t need to
waste any good time over an elaborate meal with that
chowder to found on.”

“Will there be fish enough to go round?” asked
Zan.

“Yes, Jack brought up several fine fish that Fiji
and he caught at dawn this morning, so we ought to
fare very well.”

Hilda now came back with Eleanor strolling after
her—Hilda carrying the heavy load of wood, and
Eleanor whipping the heads from some late goldenrod
with a switch.

“I found her stretched out on some moss blinking
up at the blue sky!” reported Hilda, disdainfully.

.. ---File: 130.png

“Why shouldn’t I rest after working so hard?
Look at the wood I found,” retorted Eleanor.

“Why didn’t you lug it into camp? There’s no
credit due you for finding a few sticks if you don’t
carry out the task to fulfilment,” scorned Zan.

“Miss Miller, I’m sick of this business! I never
was so hard worked in my life, and to think how
everyone finds fault with me for not doing more,”
said Eleanor, testily.

“I wonder if any of you girls stopped to think that
you could start a list for your fish *coups* by knowing
and studying the fish caught here. Suppose you all
begin with these three kinds,” suggested Miss Miller,
wisely.

“That’s so, we never thought of it,” cried Hilda.

“Dear me, why didn’t we try to place those fish
this morning? Did you know them, Miss Miller?”
asked Zan.

Eleanor was interested in the fish, too, and so another
fatality for the new member was averted.

“I knew the white fish we had this morning, and
I see here is another. That other fish I believe to be
a sea-trout but we will have to verify that by asking
the boys. They will know.”

“And that smaller one—if the boys know we will
have three on the list already, won’t we?” said Zan,
eagerly.

“Of course the boys know—they seem to imbibe
knowledge of this sort by instinct. Why, a boy never
has to *learn* to swim, he just flops in the water and
sails along like a frog, while we timid females try and
try again before we can get the stroke,” declared Hilda.

The clam-diggers came up with a large reward for
their aching backs and sun-burn, and the plan of starting
a list of fish was proposed by the Chief. Thereafter,
more interest was shown in the three kinds of
fish on exhibit than any of the girls could ever remember
before.

While the Woodcrafters sat eating luncheon, a
peculiar whistle sounded from the woods back of them.

“Sounds like a tramp signalling a pal to come and
enjoy this lunch,” teased Bob.

“You seem to forget that we girls won a *coup* for
knowing our native birds this Summer. I know what
kind of a bird that is, too. Anyone else here recognise
it?” said Zan.

“Don’t tell! Don’t—please. Let us new members
try to place the sound and sight and begin on our
bird *coups*\ ,” interrupted Anne Mason.

“Come on, hurry up! We can wash dishes later,”
added Frances.

“You girls go, and I will remain here with the
boys to clear away the dishes and follow after you
later,” offered the Guide.

So the Band ran away and shortly after Miss Miller
and her helpers finished the chores and went into the
woods also. About an hour was spent in interesting
study and pursuit of Nature’s lore, when a sound
coming from the direction of the camp reached the
crowd.

.. ---File: 132.png

“That’s a kind of bird I know at once!” laughed
Zan.

“It sounds like the siren on your Dad’s machine,”
ventured Jane.

“It is. I guess the company have arrived and are
waiting for a welcome,” added Fiji.

At that, the Guide turned and the Band trailed after
her to the camp-site where they found the doctor impolitely
prying into the state of the larder, and two
ladies with two children laughing at his remarks when
he discovered the fragrant chowder.

“Oh, there’s Edith and Baby!” cried Elizabeth,
running to greet her mother and the children.

Having saluted the Woodcrafters with great ceremony,
the doctor said: “Some people have been busy
this morning, judging from preparations for dinner.”

“We just *had* to dig to provide enough for you—when
we heard you had invited yourself to dinner
with us,” retorted Zan, who always enjoyed a wordy
combat with her father.

“Well, I must confess, I brought my normal appetite
with me, so it will be fortunate if the others
have anything to eat,” replied Dr. Baker.

“If you admit your appetite is normal now, what
will it be after you have had a dip in the briny?”
laughed Fiji.

“To insure ourselves against emergencies I had
Moses pack some of his unexcelled southern cake and
pies,” answered Mrs. Remington, pointing to a huge
hamper that had escaped notice.

.. ---File: 133.png

“Oh, we know Mose!” laughed Fred, running over
to investigate.

“Gee! Looka-here boys!” called Billy, as one
goody after another was lifted up and displayed to
the circle of gourmands.

“Come, come, Bill! Leave them in the hamper so
they won’t dry or be covered with ants,” advised his
mother, going over to assist him in obedience.

“Who’s ready for a sea-fight? In these days of
deep-sea warfare we should have practise to be ready
to swim after a U-boat, if necessary,” called the doctor,
seeing the hamper once more left in order and
safety.

“Me for the briny!” called Bob, running to the
boys’ tent.

That morning, Fiji had discovered a deep pool
directly under the sandy point of the promontory,
and this offered an excellent spot for diving. While
the more timid jumped about or swam nearer the
beach, the older and more experienced of the party
enjoyed the dives and deep water. Teddy and Edith
found an impromptu pier made of drift-wood where
the launch was anchored, and here they played store,
having tin cans and shells for receptacles to hold sea-sand
flour and sugar.

Long before the merry bathers were ready to come
out, the Guide and Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Remington
went to the tents and dressed. Then they began
preparations for the supper-party.

The doctor always provided fun and laughter
wherever he went, so the evening meal was a jolly
affair that night. After the young folks declared they
could laugh no more, Mrs. Baker said without a smile,
“You all are most gullible.”

“Why?” demanded a chorus of voices.

“Why? Why to sit here and laugh while the
doctor is making away with that chowder. I haven’t
seen him pause a moment between spoonfuls while
he had you all laughing too heartily to eat.”

“Then he’ll want to stay all night!” complained
Bob.

Everyone laughed, for the tone said as plain as day:
“I hope to goodness he won’t!”

“That is all I’ve been waiting for—an invitation,”
replied the doctor.

“We can’t tuck you in anywhere. You’ll have to
win a *coup* for sleeping out under the stars,” laughed
Zan.

“Don’t worry, friends! Doctor is only teasing.
He has to be back in the city at nine to-night to meet
a physician and consult over a case,” explained Mrs.
Baker.

“Then we’d better make the most of the time left
us,” urged the doctor, jumping up ready for anything
proposed.

“Shall we dance?” asked Nita.

“Oh, be considerate! Remember I enjoyed the
chowder more than was reasonable and I am not in
a mood to play Na-na Bo-jou!” warned the doctor.

Everyone laughed again at that, for Na-na Bo-jou
is one of the most active of all energetic dances performed
by Woodcrafters.

“Why not sit quietly about the fire and hear a
story?” suggested Mrs. Baker.

“Let Mrs. Remington tell it—she is a regular bookful
of legends and Indian lore,” quickly added the
Guide.

The idea was heartily endorsed by the others and
Mrs. Remington began:

“How the Weasel Got His White Breast.

“A long time ago, before there were any Indians,
the world was inhabited by spirits. These spirits were
the souls of all the animals and plants and things we
see to-day. One of them was called Kanhlalas, the
Weasel. He was little and brown and lived in a field.
One day a strange thing happened to him. Listen,
I will tell you about it.

“Near the field where the Weasel had his home
there was a mountain. On top of the mountain lived
an old man called Waida Dikit, the Speckled Trout.
He felt lonely up there, so he sent for Saroki Sakahl,
the Green Snake. When Saroki came Waida Dikit
took him to his wigwam and said:

“‘My son, here is pipe and tobacco. Let us smoke
awhile.’

“Saroki sat down by the wall and smoked. He
smoked so much that soon Waida Dikit could not see
across the wigwam.

“‘My son,’ said he, taking his own pipe from his
mouth, ‘you are a strong smoker.’

.. ---File: 136.png

“Saroki did not answer. After a time Waida Dikit
stuck his head from the wigwam and saw that the
whole world was covered with the smoke from Saroki’s
pipe. Waida Dikit was frightened. He felt about
on the floor for his flute.

“‘You have smoked enough,’ he said to Saroki.
‘Here is a flute. Let me hear you play.’

“Saroki took the flute and played for three days
and three nights without stopping. By the end of
the first day Waida Dikit could see through the smoke
which was fast thinning, and he could see the other
side of the wigwam.

“By the end of the third day the smoke was all
gone and the blue sky could be seen once more. Then
Saroki stopped playing.

“‘You are a good player,’ said Waida Dikit, ‘but
I know a better one. He is Kanhlalas, the Weasel
that lives down there in the field. I will send for
him.’

“In a little while Kanhlalas came, bringing his own
flute. When he was comfortably seated in the middle
of the wigwam, Waida Dikit said to him:
‘Saroki Sakahl thinks he is a fine player. If you
play he will know what a good player really
is.’

“Kanhlalas took his flute, swelled out his chest,
and began playing. He played all day and all night
without stopping. By morning he was so out of breath
that there appeared a white stripe down the middle
of his breast. He merely swelled out his chest a little
more and went on playing. Waida Dikit and Saroki
Sakahl became frightened.

“‘Stop!’ cried both of them. ‘Something will
happen. We know that you are the best player now.’

“But Kanhlalas would not listen nor would he
stop playing. He only played harder and harder. By
the end of the third day his breath was entirely gone
and he had to stop. But it was too late!

“His whole breast was white as snow and from
that day to this every weasel has had a white breast.”

As Mrs. Remington concluded the story the campers
signified their disapproval of such a short tale by demanding
another, but Dr. Baker declared it was time
they started for home.

“But do wait and let us have one dance to pay
Mrs. Remington for the story,” cried Nita, springing
up ever ready to perform.

“Girls, show our visitors the dance-song of ‘Summertime,’”
suggested the Guide.

The Band then performed the song to graceful steps
and motions and the audience loudly applauded when
it was finished.

“Mother, why can’t I stay over-night with Elizabeth
and the other, girls—Zan says they can find lots
of room for a little girl like me,” pleaded Edith.

“Yes, do allow the child to remain with us. It is
only for one night, you know,” added Miss Miller.

“Why, you seem to have so many already, that
I would not like to add to the care,” responded Mrs.
Remington, doubtfully.

.. ---File: 138.png

“I’ll be so good, mother, that it will be no care!”
begged Edith.

“And we will look after her, mother,” added
Elizabeth.

“I wanna stay, too!” now demanded the youthful
Theodore Roosevelt Remington, aged four.

“No, no, Baby, Mother needs you at home!”
quickly said Edith.

To the little girl’s delight, she was permitted to
remain and the others started for home, leaving the
weary hostesses to seek tents and cots where all were
soon fast asleep, despite the mosquitoes.

.. ---File: 139.png

CHAPTER EIGHT—QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY
===================================

At breakfast the following morning, Miss Miller
said: “This being Sunday, we must find a quiet
form of enjoyment.”

“That won’t deprive us of a swim, will it?” asked
some of the anxious campers.

“Why no, but I do not think we ought to shout or
dance or do the noisy or boisterous things that are
permissible on a week-day.”

“Let’s discuss it later. I am having such a fine
time with this breakfast at present,” said Zan, munching
a mouthful of delicious camp-biscuit.

“So say we all of us,” laughed Jane, eyeing the
platter that was in Fiji’s hands. It held two fish-cakes
and she was keen for one of them.

“These fish-cakes made of the left-over fish of
yesterday and that steamed brown rice, are the finest
I ever tasted,” remarked Fiji.

“Well, for pity’s sake take one and pass the other
this way,” ordered Jane, losing patience as she saw
Fiji compare the two to help himself to the larger
one.

“I wanted the one left,” ventured Jack, teasingly.

.. ---File: 140.png

“I’m the oldest, Jack, and so I have first choice!”

Everyone laughed at the twins as they generally
argued this point of the hour’s difference in age, when
it was a question of one obeying the other.

“You may be oldest but I am handsomest, and
besides I have always been delicate. The doctor told
Mom to give me more fish!” retorted Jack.

“Hem—yes! They claim that fish is food for the
brain, and goodness knows, you need something to
develop that atrophied grey matter!” taunted Jane,
reaching for the platter.

“Children! As Chief of this Tribe I cannot have
such talk, hence I will eat the fish-cake myself!” declared
Zan, taking the platter Fiji passed, and helping
herself to the last bit.

Everyone laughed at the outcome of the argument,
and Jane sighed while Jack smacked his lips as he
watched the Chief make a great to-do over the final
crumb of fish.

“While we wash dishes and clear camp the boys
can go and bring in fire-wood for this noon. Then
we can have a story, if you like, until it is time to
have a dip,” said the Guide, as they all got up from
the grass.

“No sooner said than done!” answered Fred, starting
for the woods.

When the chores were done, the campers gathered
about the Guide who proposed that they go to the
cliff and sit on the sand to hear the tale.

“Who’s turn is it for a legend?” asked Elena,
after they had found comfortable positions on the
warm sand.

“Doesn’t matter whose—we always vote for Miss
Miller,” replied Hilda.

A chorus of “How’s!” approved this suggestion
and the Guide smiled.

“Let me see! I think I will tell you a Tlingit
Myth. It is called ‘The Wolf Chief’s Son.’

“Famine visited a certain place in Alaska one time
and many people died of starvation. But there was
a young boy who always went to the forest with bow
and arrow to hunt food for his family and friends
and was never selfish about giving it to others.

“One day, as he was hunting, he found a little
animal that looked like a puppy dog. This he placed
under his blanket and carried home. When he washed
it carefully and took it to his mother to see, she knew
it was a wild forest dog.

“The boy then painted the dog’s face and feet with
some red paint left him by an uncle and when he again
went to the forest to hunt he took the dog with him.
There the little animal ran about and brought his
master grouse, birds, and other game, so the boy could
carry home more food than ever before. And this
was cooked in a basket-pot by his mother.

“The next day, the boy again put red paint on
the feet and nose of the dog, that he might trace the
little fellow as he ran through the woods. That day
the game caught by the dog kept all the boy’s friends
from starving.

.. ---File: 142.png

“One day, after the boy had traced the red trail
made by the dog a long way into the forest, he found
the little animal had found and killed a mountain
sheep. This was taken home and the fat part given
to the dog as a reward. The rest of the sheep kept
the boy’s kindred alive that week.

“The next time the boy and his wild dog went
hunting, they found a large flock of mountain sheep.
The dog ran in and killed every one for his master.
The best one was cut open and the dog was fed the
tenderest part and the other sheep were enough to
keep most of the villagers from starving.

“Then the boy’s brother-in-law grew jealous of the
many kind things the villagers said of the boy who
hunted and brought in so much food. He went to
the boy and said: ‘I wish to hunt and want to borrow,
your dog.’

“The boy did not like to loan to another the little
wild forest companion he had become attached to,
so he asked: ‘What do you want of my dog?’

“‘It is doing great things for you and I too wish
to find food without striving hard for it,’ replied the
man.

“The boy sighed but his sister implored him to
do as her husband asked, so the boy brought his little
dog and carefully painted his feet and face. Then
he turned to his brother-in-law and said:

“‘When he kills a sheep, be sure and feed him the
best part. I always do that and the dog knows it.’

“The man took the dog and they went to the mountain
where a flock of sheep was grazing. The dog
ran in and soon killed every one of them, but the
hunter cut open an old ram and threw the entrails in
the dog’s expectant face, saying, ‘Dogs eat the insides
when a man needs the tidbits and outside flesh of an
animal.’

“The little dog stood motionless for a moment,
then, instead of eating the entrails as ordered, ran
straight up the mountain-side yelping and crying pitifully,
for the gall smarted as it ran into his eyes.

“The man laughed and carted home the sheep, but
the boy looked about quickly and said: ‘Where is
my little dog?’

“‘Hoh, it ran away from me when I cut open the
sheep.’

“Then the boy ran to his sister and demanded that
she tell him just what happened on the mountain-side.

“She told the boy what her husband had done with
the entrails and how the dog ran up the mountain-side
yelping.

“‘I wish I had not loaned my dog! I did not
want to, but you coaxed me to it. This shows what
folks do with borrowed property that they have not
worked to make perfect. They use the good of it
and throw away what is left. Now I demand that
your husband show me the way the dog went,’ cried
the boy, in great distress.

“The sister told her husband he must show the boy
the place where the dog ran away from him. Once
on the mountain-side, the boy saw the red tracks made
by his dog and these he followed until he came to a
large lake.

“Now the forest dog was really the Wolf Chief’s
Son and because the boy had painted the dog’s face
and feet with red paint a wolf has red on its feet and
around its snout to this day.

“Standing at the lake-side, the boy wondered how
he could cross it to reach a town he saw on the opposite
side of the water. As he wished he might get
across, a curl of smoke rose from the ground at his
feet.

“He jumped back in time to see the square of
earth where he had been standing open outward like
a door on hinges. Then a woman’s voice quavered
forth: ‘Come in, come in, my son.’

“The boy entered and saw an old woman sitting
by the roots of a forest tree, crooning over a pot of
broth she was stirring.

“‘I am your grandmother, boy, and I will help
you. What do you here all alone?’

“Then the boy told about his little dog and how
he would like to find it again.

“‘His people live on the other side of the lake.
He is the Wolf Chief’s Son, grandchild—he is not
a common dog,’ said the woman.

“‘How can I get over there?’ asked the boy.

“‘I have a little canoe—you may use that. Here
it is,’ replied the grandame as she picked up a
shrivelled leaf and handed it to the astonished boy.

.. ---File: 145.png

“‘How can I sit in this—it will not carry me?’
said he.

“‘When you reach the lake-side just shake it open
and it will swell large in the water. Step in, stretch
yourself out in the bottom of the canoe and wish yourself
across. Do not paddle it. When you are on the
other shore wish the canoe back to me and it will
come.’

“The boy did as directed and reached the opposite
side of the lake, but instead of wishing the canoe back
again he wished it a leaf and this he placed in his
pocket for future use.

“At the Wolf Chief’s village he found some boys
playing tug-of-war with the ends of the rainbow. He
stood watching for a moment but he came for his
little dog so he inquired the way to the Wolf Chief’s
wigwam. It was at the end of the village. Here he
found the people sitting about an evening fire and the
little dog was playing in front of Wolf Chief.

“The boy watched and called joyfully to the dog,
but the Wolf Chief growled forth: ‘A human is
near us. Clear a way before him.’

“At that the little dog ran up and sniffed the
stranger. He knew him at once and caught his garments
between his teeth and dragged the visitor over
to his father, Wolf Chief. Here he barked out the
story of the boy’s kindness to him when he was down
in the valley.

“Then the Wolf Chief welcomed the boy, saying:
‘I sent my son to help you hunt when I heard how
you were helping the people to keep from starving.
Because you were grateful to your dog I will show
you more kindness. My boy shall not go back with
you, but this is what I will give you: This fish-hawk’s
quill to hunt with. Whenever you meet a bear or
sheep, hold the quill straight out and it will fly from
your hand to lodge in the animal’s heart. Then remove
the quill and clean it well to keep for another
trial.’

“The boy took the quill and thanked the Chief.

“Then the Wolf Chief added: ‘I will also give
you a great treasure as I see you are a grateful lad.’

“He removed a blanket from a tripod and handed
it to the boy. ‘Use this for sickness or death. If a
friend is ill cover him with this blanket and he will
immediately recover again.’

“Again the boy thanked the Chief earnestly.

“Then the Wolf Chief placed something in the
boy’s mouth, saying: ‘Swallow this as you have a
long journey before reaching your home again. This
will keep you from being hungry or weary.’

“Then the little dog and the boy wept over each
other, for they had been fond companions, and the
boy started homeward, being very careful of the quill
and medicine blanket.

“As the boy came down the mountain-side near the
village he met a bear that stood in the trail and growled
at him. He held the quill straight at the beast and it
flew right into the bear’s heart. Then the boy took
the quill and cleaned it well. Next he cut some bearsteaks
for immediate use and covered over the remainder.

“The boy reached his village from which he thought
he had been absent only two days and nights, but he
found he had been gone two years—so swiftly had
the time passed while he had been at the Wolf Chief’s
village by the lake-side.

“As he entered the village he found it had been
totally destroyed and everyone was dead. He felt
dreadfully sad at this discovery but he remembered
the medicine blanket, and this he placed over every
member of his family and they immediately came to
life. Then he placed it over everyone in the village
and brought them all back to life—even the brother-in-law
who had been so ungrateful.

“When all were alive once more they needed food
so the boy ran to the mountain and found a great
flock of wild sheep. With the quill he soon killed
them and ordered the people to carry them home.

“The villagers were so astonished when they saw
him kill wild beasts with a quill that they agreed to
have him hunt for the entire village and promised to
pay him with skins and weapons for the meat.

“When the villagers were nourished they told the
boy that while he was absent every tribe of people
were killed by the famine and the plagues. The boy
then decided to visit the nations and revive the people
by means of the medicine blanket. This he did, but
he only brought the good and beautiful back to life,
leaving the cruel and vicious, and deformed ones,
dead. And this he did for every creature on the
earth. The bad and worthless were killed off with
the quill but the good and faithful creatures were kept
alive with the blanket. Thus it happened that the
earth became a beautiful spot to live in, for all men
were as brothers, and all creatures walked in the trails
of man without fear or desire to kill. And to this
day, the boy feeds his people and everyone is happy
and at peace.”

As the Guide finished her story the Woodcrafters
cried “How! How!” but Fiji said: “I wish we had
that blanket and quill at this present time!”

“No such luck! It is war, war, war to the bitter
end, I guess,” added Fred.

“And starvation or famine and plagues for the
world!” sighed Zan.

“I’m not so sure but that the Hunter with the
Medicine Blanket of Life is again on earth to revive
all the good and true people to everlasting joy and
peace,” ventured the Guide, quietly.

“Why, just think, if Fred or Fiji were two years
older they would have to go to France and be killed,”
cried Zan, fervently. “Some day in the future maybe,
Miss Miller, but no one can say there is joy or peace
with all this misery brought about by war.”

“No, my dear, not in the future—right now! I
firmly believe that the world will awaken to realise this
wonderful state of existence shortly. And if we believe
any part of the Scriptures we *must* believe the
prophecies of many writers of that Book. There is
no room for doubt that this is the time that is spoken
of as ‘The Day of the Lord.’ But let us consider
other things now, even though Sunday is a good day
to discuss the heavenly conditions that will prevail
the moment the ‘dragon’ is over-powered. You see,
I become so tremendously interested in this warfare
of Michael and Gabriel, the Two Angels that war
against the Dragon and the Beast, that I dare not
pursue the subject further. You would oust me from
the Tribe if I talked of nothing but the New Jerusalem.
You are here to talk of Woodcraft instead,”
said Miss Miller, springing up and looking brightly
around for a new form of entertainment.

“I wonder how many of you ever gave a thought
to the Woodcraft work secrets contained in the sea?”
said Miss Miller, gazing down from the plateau to
the stretch of glistening beach where the tide was
nearing its highest mark.

“In the sea?” laughed Eleanor sceptically, as the
others joined the Guide and looked where she did.

“Yes, and wonderful secrets it holds for us, too.
Come, and I will show you a few.”

Miss Miller picked up a glass fruit jar which had
held some preserves from home, and advising the
others to find receptacles for the collection she would
show them, started down the sand-bank.

“First, I would suggest that each girl find five or
ten smooth round sea pebbles as near a size as possible.
These we will ask the boys to carry in their pockets
for us. I will show you what wonderful jack-stones
they make. In fact, the game originally was played
with smooth stones. It was only in later years that
the iron imitations were manufactured and placed
upon the market.

“Then let me tell you, that a collection of large
oval light-coloured stones make the prettiest sort of
a marker to line off a flower-bed or pathway. If they
are well set in sand they will not roll or become muddy
from the rain that falls upon the soil of the garden.
The sand holds them in place and keeps them clean.

“Another suggestion for Hand-craft for a Woodcrafter,
is this: find a large flat oval stone washed
smooth by the sea and upon one side you can paint
a marine picture or, if you cannot paint, a conventional
design can be used to decorate it. This makes
a lovely paper-weight for a friend, or for your own
desk.

“For Edith and her little brother, we can hunt for
pebbles that resemble fruits and vegetables. Then the
Little Brownies can play store to their heart’s content.”

“That will be fine, Miss Miller, and I’ll help the
girls find what I need for a store,” declared Edith,
accepting the suggestion for the deed.

“Let’s hurry then, as Edith will want us to collect
every pebble on the beach—I know her aspirations
when a new game is mentioned,” laughed Elizabeth.

“She isn’t ‘the only pebble on the beach’ for that
weakness,” commented Fred, looking at his elder
sister.

.. ---File: 151.png

“Chump Mark for Fred—he used slang!” cried
Elizabeth.

But Zan was busy watching the Guide fill her glass
jar with certain pebbles, and the hint to bestow a
Chump Mark was passed by.

The jar filled, Miss Miller filled the remaining
crevices with salt water, then screwed the lid on the
jar.

“Now, look at this—isn’t it pretty? Do you think
a bottle of these beautifully coloured and veined sea
pebbles will elicit an interest if sent to a sick friend
or a bed-ridden child in a Home?” asked the Guide,
holding the jar at arm’s length that all could see the
varied hued pebbles which were enhanced by the salt
water.

“Aren’t they just lovely! But where under the
sun did you ever hear of these things, Miss Miller?”
cried Jane.

“I wish we had baskets to hold a bushel of these
pebbles and we could fill lots of wide-mouthed bottles
from Dad’s office to present to his little patients at
the Children’s Hospital,” said Zan.

“We might fill the empty boxes we were going to
burn up when we cleaned up camp,” suggested Hilda.

“Boys, you run up to the camp and bring us the
boxes while we collect the prettiest stones we can
find,” said Zan, leading the way along the beach.

The boys did as ordered and, the tide running out
fast by this time, the girls soon found marvelously
figured and coloured pebbles left on the sand.

.. ---File: 152.png

“Now that we are at this collecting work I may
as well add the secrets of the shells. If you place
various shapes and kinds of shells with the pebbles
the bottle will look even prettier than if filled with
stones alone,” suggested Miss Miller.

“Elena, do you see these deep white scallop shells?
They make splendid paint-cups for water-colours. I
always use them in preference to china dishes,” said
the Guide, turning to the artist.

“Girls, let us gather as many as you think we will
need this winter for our art-work!” exclaimed Zan,
and thereupon, the girls busied themselves with the
new diversion.

“Here we are, Miss Miller, what shall we do with
the boxes we were sent for?” called Fiji, sliding down
the steep incline of the sand-dune.

“Oh—let the boys find the pebbles and fill the boxes
for us while we collect the shells,” cried Jane, looking
at the Guide for approval.

“Do you boys wish to do that?” asked she.

“Cert. Anything you say. We haven’t a thing to
do until church is over, you know,” laughed Jack.

“Meaning this Sunday enjoyment? Well, it is a
heap more fun than I would have believed possible,”
declared Zan.

“As long as the boys are doing that work I can
show you girls some other secrets,” said Miss Miller,
looking for deep large-sized clam shells cleansed as
only the sea can wash a shell.

“This kind of shell make the nicest kind of ramekins
for baked fish, or tarts, and other small side-dishes.
They also can be used for bone-dishes or small side-plates
when camping.

“Now see these yellow opalescent shells? Well,
they make pretty salt and pepper dishes. Even for a
city table, they are unique and artistic. I have often
grouped three in some glue on a round wooden disk
and decorated the wood with pyrography and then
used the small sea-snail shells to glue under the three
centre pieces. It looked too pretty for anything when
completed and ready to send to a friend for a gift.

“I also have made pin-cushions of two fitted scallop
shells. The hollow is filled with saw-dust, and
a strip of satin or velvet covering the slight aperture
made by the opened shells is glued inside the shells.
A ribbon sewed to the hinge of the shell is used to
hang the cushion on the side of the dressing-table
mirror.”

“Oh dear me, Miss Miller, wait a minute till we
get time to take it all in,” laughed Elena, eager to note
everything the Guide said.

“Girls, let’s collect the shells necessary for the
things Miss Miller explains about, and then we can
have her teach us how to make the things some day
at the Gym,” suggested Zan.

“That’s a good idea. Now, Miss Miller, what else
do you know about shell secrets?” added Jane.

“I have made beautiful portières of these golden
paper shells. Most of them have a small hole in the
end—see there? And some haven’t the tiny perforation—these
I burn in with a red-hot hatpin so that
each shell may be threaded on a strong length of
Japanese cord. This cord is finer and stronger than
any made in this country, and is used for bead-curtains
and reed portières.

“After threading a shell you must tie the cord once
in and out the hole to keep the shell from slipping
down and crowding the others that are threaded on
the same cord.

“I have also trimmed decorative scarfs with this
kind of shell fringe, but fancy scarfs are not in vogue
now as much as they used to be.

“These two ideas will give you many other ideas
where the shells can be used. I should think Elena
could suggest some new ways.”

“Oh, oh, *OH!* Listen to me!” shouted Nita,
jumping up and down frantically, as she waved both
arms about in her excitement.

“Goodness sakes! I thought Nita stepped on a sea-serpent!”
laughed the Guide, turning to hear the
great news.

“Won’t it be *perfectly grand* to have a costume
covered with these sea-shells, and fringes of them
hanging down from the skirt and sleeves, so they will
rattle when I dance? I will invent a sea-dance to
go with the costume. What about it, eh?” cried
Nita.

“Great! If we only had another day to stop here
and collect the shells,” returned Jane.

“Miss Miller, I bet anything, Nita could win an
honour from Headquarters for an ideal dance and
costume like that!” said Zan.

“Girls, you go on and get whatever you want for
shell-work and just leave that dress to me. I’ll dig
and pick all day till it’s time to start for home, but
I’ll have that shell dress or die!” promised Nita,
eagerly.

“We may as well help Nita with her work as we
can use any left-over shells for our fancy work. I
was only going to add, that work-boxes hinged with
a strip of glued muslin on one edge of the lid and
decorated with sea-shells glued on the outside, are
very pretty gifts for friends.

“I have also made lovely picture frames, and mirror
frames of wood covered with different kinds of
shells. In fact, there are endless ways of using these
pretty little trifles cast up for us by the bountiful
sea.”

“While you talk, Miss Miller, we will collect, as
the surf is leaving more and more shells on the sand
as the tide recedes,” said Hilda, eagerly picking up
everything she saw.

“O-oh! but it makes your back ache terribly! Mine
is simply broken in two and I can’t stoop another
time!” declared Eleanor.

“Oh be a sport, Ella! Don’t spoil everything by
your whimperings,” said Zan, expressing disgust in
her voice.

“I just guess if you were as delicate as I am your
bones would ache, too!” retorted Eleanor.

.. ---File: 156.png

“Thank goodness I’m no hypochondriac!” snapped
Zan.

Eleanor was not sure what that word meant, so she
hesitated to publish her ignorance. She was quite
sure, however, that it was Latin for some illness
known only to a doctor or his immediate family. The
fact that she could not reply made her more peevish,
and she turned without another word and walked back
to camp.

“Well I never! If she isn’t the poorest kind of a
Woodcrafter a Tribe ever had the bad luck to have
hang on to its wings!” exclaimed Zan, watching the
girl saunter away from her companions.

The other girls tittered but the Guide said: “Oh
she’s coming on fine, *I* think!”

“Miss Miller!” gasped several voices.

“You don’t believe me, do you? Wait and see!”
rejoined the Guide.

“Well, you always did have a gift for seeing
‘swans where others only saw geese,’” said Zan,
whimsically.

The boys now were heard shouting and the girls
turned to see them making signs. They said they
were going to the camp and start dinner. The Guide
signalled that it would be all right as far as she was
concerned, so the girls kept on gathering shells until
the call came for dinner.

Before they reached the camp, however, they saw
the boys standing on the end of the promontory gazing
through the glasses out at the Sound. When they
were near enough, they heard Fiji shout through a
megaphone made with his hands:

“Hurry up! Comp’ny!”

“Land’s sake, who can it be?” cried Zan.

Before they reached the cliff they could plainly see
the white sails of a boat that was heading straight
for the site.

“If that isn’t Dad I’ll eat these shells!” cried
Elizabeth.

“Spare enough for that costume of Nita’s,” laughed
Jane.

“She won’t have to crack any teeth on that wager
’cause it is Mr. Remington,” now said Zan, as the
sail-boat tacked ever nearer to the crude pier off the
point of land.

To witness the reception accorded the visitor one
would think Mr. Remington was the long lost Robinson
Crusoe. But the moment dinner was over the
boys began to tease for a sail in the boat.

“We girls want to go, too,” declared Elizabeth.

“The only way I can pay the debt of hospitality is
to take you in installments. ‘Ladies and children’
first,” laughed Mr. Remington.

“All right, give the girls a little sail and then take
us boys for a trip to catch fish for supper. We ought
to get a fine mess with a boat like this,” suggested
Fiji.

“That’s only your excuse for a far longer sail than
we can have,” pouted Jane.

“Now it isn’t at all, Jenny! But there isn’t a crumb
of anything but dessert for supper, you know,” said
Jack, very ingratiatingly.

“Miss Miller, I can testify to there being an abundance
for another meal to-day, as I left a hamper of
good things to eat at the temporary refrigerator you
built near the camp-kitchen,” laughed Mr. Remington,
motioning for the first installment of girls to get in
the boat.

The entire afternoon was given to sailing and watching
the others sail, as turn and turn about was taken.
Then supper-time came, and before this was over the
automobiles sounded their horns as they came through
the woodland road to take the campers back to the
city.

“Do you know, it seems as if we have been at camp
for a month—so much has been crowded into these
two days,” declared Zan.

“Same here,” agreed the other Woodcrafters.

.. ---File: 159.png

CHAPTER NINE—A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP
==================================

Early Monday morning a messenger boy brought
May Randall’s Woodcraft chest to the gymnasium
and handed Miss Miller a note. The letter was
type-written on plain paper so no clue was given to
the sender or writer. Just a few lines saying how
sorry the writer was that the disappearance of the box
had caused the trouble it had.

The note was not signed and many conjectures were
made as to who could possibly have sent it, or where
the chest could have been all this time. Even Eleanor
seemed as anxious as any other girl to find out who
sent the note or took the box away only to return it.

To every query as to who the culprit might be, Miss
Miller shook her head and maintained a strict silence.
But she was greatly disappointed in Eleanor, for she
had no idea the girl could act the part of a hypocrite
as perfectly as she was doing in this case.

That afternoon, when the other girls had gone to
Zan’s house to work on the bead bands, Eleanor
stopped in at the gymnasium to see Miss Miller.

“Don’t you think I carried it out well?” said she,
as she sat in the chair beside the Guide.

.. ---File: 160.png

“It all depends on what one considers ‘well,’” replied
Miss Miller, earnestly.

“I mean—I got away with the note and return of
the box without anyone dreaming who it was,” explained
Eleanor, evidently eager to have the teacher
commend her sagacity.

“I am sorry you have such a short-sighted view of
right and wrong. The last deception you played is
even worse than the first, for you were informed of
your mistake and ought to make full amends. As you
have left it now, every innocent boy or girl in school
may be wrongly thought the thief!”

Miss Miller purposely used the hard term “thief”
to try and rouse the girl to a sense of her obligation.
It seemed to bite in.

“O-oh—Miss Miller!” gasped Eleanor. “No one
can call a practical joke a theft! You are dreadfully
strict and unfair.”

“As I said before, there is only one thing left for
you, in honour bound, to do. And that is to tell May
all about the trick—as you name it—and let her tell
the other girls if she likes,” replied Miss Miller.

“I just guess not! I’m not so stuck on this silly
old Band as to obey your fanatical advice. I’ll get
out of Woodcraft first!” snipped Eleanor, as she got
up and hurriedly left the room.

The Guide, left alone, sighed and dropped her head
upon her arms that were resting on the desk.

“I am not so sure but someone else will do better
in my place as Guide. The other girls are so good
and lovable that I can work wonders with them, but
it was not the lambs *in* the fold that our Saviour
sought to save—they were perfectly safe already. It
was the disobedient, wandering lamb on the mountain-steeps.
And He saved it. This lamb seems beyond
my call or power to reach.”

Then suddenly came the brightening flash of Nita
and the wonderful reformation worked in the girl
when all seemed lost. And the temporarily discouraged
Guide stood up and smiled.

“I’ll do my part. And Father Spirit, lend me all
aid!”

During that week, plans were made for another
camp to be enjoyed from Friday afternoon to Sunday
evening. This time the girls decided to climb the
Orange Mountains to seek an inland site. For this
outing, the Guide had asked the girls to write up short
essays or comments on various subjects that would be
of interest to an out-door student.

One request was for facts on forestry movements.
Another required the girl to find something interesting
about the fishing industry. Another mentioned
items on agriculture, and still others spoke of news
on manufactures, music, art, flowers, and Nature
crafts.

The work necessary to find the facts to these questions
kept the girls well occupied during the evenings
of that week, as they had to seek in the public library
as well as in magazines, papers, and encyclopedias
at home.

.. ---File: 162.png

After all the hard work and eager preparations,
when all were ready to start that Friday afternoon,
the Woodcrafters were doomed to deep disappointment.
It began to drizzle shortly after school opened
in the morning and the weather grew constantly worse
until the rain was pouring by recess time. By noon
the out-of-doors proved a veritable “wet blanket”
on the spirits of the Woodcrafters and they gathered
disconsolately in the gymnasium at three o’clock, wishing
they lived in Egypt at the dry season of the year.

Even as Hilda tried in vain to console the others
that perhaps the rain would clear off before evening
so they could start early Saturday morning, the telephone
bell rang. Miss Miller took up the receiver
and answered the call.

“Yes, this is Miss Miller.

“They are here now, bemoaning the Fates that
sent the rain to spoil their week-end camp,” said the
Guide, to someone’s query on the other end of the
wire.

The girls perked up their ears when they heard it
related to their camp hopes.

“Oh, oh! How splendid! How good of you to
bother!” the Guide beamed delightedly into the receiver.

“Will we care to come! Oh Mrs. Remington wait
till I tell the girls so you can hear the Babel of sound
that will crack the telephone instrument,” laughed Miss
Miller, holding the instrument away from her face as
she turned to address the Band.

.. ---File: 163.png

“Mrs. Remington fears it will rain all night and to-morrow,
and knowing of your plans for a mountain
camp, she is as sorry as we are about the weather.
But she offers us the use of the Council House at
Mossy Crest for the camp. It is the great barn turned
into one large room and all laid out for Woodcraft
Councils. When Mr. Remington built the new barn
and garage, he had this one renovated. A splendid
floor for dancing and games is laid on top of the other
heavy oak floor and the side-walls are all covered with
burlap and decorated—but wait till you see it for
yourself.”

The shout that rose in acceptance of the camp offer
was distinctly heard by Mrs. Remington who laughed
to herself. Miss Miller turned to accept the invitation
when Zan cried:

“Tell her it is a heavenly refuge from the storm!”

The other girls laughed and Jane added: “Sort
of ‘any harbour for a wreck!’”

“Oh won’t we have a glorious time practising new
steps. Besides, girls, I invented a sea-shell dance
that’s perfectly adorable,” cried Nita, glad of the camp
with a good dancing floor.

“When can we start?” asked practical Hilda.

“As soon as you like—I am waiting for the word,”
replied the Guide.

“We can’t walk—I’d better call up Jim on this
’phone and see if he can come over,” said Zan.

“And call up Mom too, Zan, and have her send
over our machine. I guess we can all crowd in the
two as there won’t be any tents or equipment to cart,”
added Jane.

After a short period of waiting that seemed to the
impatient Woodcrafters like an age, the cars came to
the school and the girls hurried out regardless of the
pouring rain. At Mossy Crest the Remingtons, from
the Lady of the Place down to little Teddy, stood in
a row inside the great barn doors ready to welcome
the visitors.

“I’m tickled to pieces to have you girls spend the
week-end with us,” called Elizabeth, the moment the
two autos brought the visitors within hearing.

“And I can show you girls a lot more in Woodcraft
right here where I have my equipment than at a
mountain camp,” added Mrs. Remington.

So before four o’clock, the Band discovered the
rain to be a blessing in disguise for they found the
Council House everything that an enthusiastic Woodcrafter
could want.

“But the disguise is rather damp, just the same,”
added Zan, when Jane mentioned the blessing.

“Not indoors,” retorted Elizabeth. “We had Alfred
help the boys bring the curtains and cots from
the hay-loft where we store all camp outfits when not
in use. That great trap-door opens on a pulley so we
can hoist things up and down without much labour.
Now come and see your bed-rooms for the visit.”

The delighted girls trooped after their young
hostess while she pointed out the manner in which
Mrs. Remington had fitted up the House. Down one
side of the large room, a row of 2 x 4 posts had been
erected and upon these were firmly fastened the poles
that held the white muslin curtains. The space thus
divided from the main room was partitioned by similar
curtains hung on shorter poles, making small
rooms about 8 x 10 feet. In each room stood a single
cot and a small wash-stand bureau with a tiny mirror
over it. A simple canvas camp-chair completed the
furnishing of each space in this dormitory.

When there were no occupants for the rooms, the
entire outfit was taken down and stored in the loft
overhead. A wide cobble-stone chimney had been
constructed in one corner of the building for beauty,
comfort, and utility. It was equipped with a crane
and pot-hanger so cooking could be done over the
open fire on the hearth.

“Isn’t this just scrumptious?” cried Nita, pivoting
on her toes on the smooth floor.

“I’ll test the cots and tell you if I agree with you,”
laughed Jane, who dearly loved to sleep late in the
morning.

That supper was a jolly affair, for not only Elizabeth
and the two younger children attended the camp-meal,
bringing their share of the provender with them,
but later on Mr. and Mrs. Remington, and lastly,
Fred came in, carrying donations in exchange for an
invitation to dine.

“Mother ought to give the servants a night off!”
laughed Fred.

“All we need to have a regular Grand Council are
the Baker and Hubert boys with us,” declared Mrs.
Remington.

“Never too late to repent!” said Fred; then other
subjects crowded the idea out of thought of the other
members but was remembered the next day when Fred
showed results of the suggestion.

Tin platters and cups, and aluminium cutlery, were
always kept in the Council House, and these made
a great rat-a-tat as the hungry Band cut or scooped
and rattled on the plates.

Supper over, Mr. Remington called Fred to roll out
the Grand Circle furniture from the harness room
which had been converted into a property room. Soon
the huge logs decorated in true Woodcraft style, and
a large grass rug woven by the Black Bear Tribe and
presented to this Council House, were placed in the
centre of the great space, and the girls of Wako Tribe
with their guests, assembled for an enjoyable evening.

“You have some artistic totems, Mrs. Remington,”
said Elena, looking about at the unique and decorative
emblems belonging to many Tribes started successfully
by the lady.

“Yes, and I am very proud of them. They stand
for Tribes of girls and boys who are filling their niche
in the Scheme of Things.”

“My personal Totem painted and presented to Mrs.
Remington’s Council House is largest and most practical
of all—see who can pick it out from the others,”
laughed Mr. Remington.

“Now Fred, you know that isn’t fair to these girls.
How would anyone know that your totem—so-called
by you—is painted on the canvas walls? My dears,
Mr. Remington is such an ardent disciple of Woodcraft
that he needs must cover at least fifty feet of
material with his totem,” said Mrs. Remington.

It was not difficult after this direct lead to select
the burlap wall-covering which was painted to imitate
forest trees somewhat like Elena’s screen, as the totem
mentioned by the host. This neutral back-ground
furnished an excellent contrast for the gay blankets,
rush mats, birch-bark articles, and other items that
are made and decorated by Woodcrafters during their
meetings.

When all signs of supper had been cleared away
(and “many hands make light work,” you know)
the usual Council ceremony was performed. This
over, Zan stood up and said:

“Are there any suggestions for the evening’s entertainment?”

“O Chief!” replied Miss Miller, standing, “I suggest
that we read the essays prepared for this week-end.”

“We-ell, I suppose we *might* unburden our souls
of that much trouble,” remarked Zan, slowly, causing
a laugh at her words.

“Of course—I mean, O Chief! Of course, as it may
clear off by morning and then we can be out-doors.
We won’t care to sit hearing lectures or reading them
to others when the calls of Nature entice us,” added
Jane.

.. ---File: 168.png

“Ha! it seemeth that Jane groweth poetical!”
teased Zan.

“O Chief! Who wouldn’t feel that way with the
music of the floods echoing on this tin roof?” retorted
Jane.

Another laugh at Zan’s expense put everyone in a
merry mood, but Miss Miller meant business and not
frivolity, so she asked the girls if the papers were all
ready to read.

Most of the members signified that the papers were
on hand to read, so the Chief called upon Hilda, as she
was the first one at her right.

“My query was to find some interesting forestry
news. I sought and finally found what I wanted in
a weekly periodical called ‘The Sentinel’ and published
at Boston. I learned that the forest fires of
1916 caused a loss of more than $9,000,000.—six
times as much as has been spent in forest protection
work. And what is so lamentable is that these fires
could all have been prevented—they were the results
of rank carelessness.

“In British Columbia, on account of the forest
efficiency service, the number of fires last year were
only half the number of those of the preceding
year.

“The tree seedlings and uncut timber are usually
destroyed or greatly damaged by these forest fires. A
most important part of forest work is to dispose of
the lumbering slash which makes a very hot fire when
once started. This slash must be collected and disposed
of as soon as possible after the lumber operations
are finished. Lumber companies are urged to
cooperate with the forest service in the protection of
our valuable timber tracts.

“Last year, about 40,000 forest fires occurred in
the United States and burned over 5,900,000 acres,
causing irretrievable losses.

“The forest products from Finland constitute 70%
of its total exports, and the income from this branch
of trade amounts to about $96,500,000. annually.

“During 1916 the United States Forest Commission
constructed 227 miles of new roads through national
forests, 1975 miles of trails, 2225 miles of telephone
lines, 89 miles of fire lines, 81 lookout towers, 40
bridges, 222 miles of fencing, 545 dwellings, barns,
and other structures, 17 corrals, and 202 water improvements.”

As Hilda concluded and sat down, the audience
expressed amazement at the gigantic losses to beautiful
forest districts of this country, and Mr. Remington
stood up to speak.

“O Chief, I think this is the right time to warn
every Woodcrafter present to be careful and impress
upon friends to use the utmost care in helping the
forest fire commissioners. We can do this by never
leaving a spark of live fire from our camp-fires, by
not throwing waste paper or other inflammable trash
about that others may, through carelessness, set fire
to, and not to *smoke* in a forest where dry leaves and
tinder ignite very quickly.”

.. ---File: 170.png

“How! How!” approved the Woodcrafters as Mr.
Remington sat down.

“The next reader on my list is Nita,” announced
Zan.

“Miss Miller gave me a paper about fish. Why
this should fall to my lot, goodness only knows. I
hate fish for food, and simply can’t bear the smell of
them. But I discovered some interesting facts about
them, nevertheless.

“First I found that Alaska shipped 4,916,000 cases
of salmon to the United States trade and the value of
this shipment was over $23,800,000.

“Then I read that an attempt is being made to
establish lobster beds on the Pacific Coast. Recently
over 5400 crustaceans were shipped from Maine to
Washington.

“Also, salmon worth $250,000. at the great canneries
of the Northwest States left Seattle, Washington,
for the New York markets. There were fifty
trains packed full of cases holding cans of salmon.

“I learned that two great fish banks abounding in
millions of sea bass have been discovered off Cape
Fear bar on the North Carolina coast. One bank is
more than three and a half miles wide and two and
a half miles long.

“The Bureau of Fisheries report over $6,000,000.
worth of fish brought into New England ports during
the year of 1916. The fishing fleets of Gloucester,
Boston, and Portland total about 512 steamers and
sailing vessels.

.. ---File: 171.png

“At Boston alone the 3039 trips made by its vessels
land annually over 98,500,000 pounds of fish valued
at $2,159,895. At Portland the catch weighed about
20,800,000 pounds and was worth about $550,000.
At Gloucester, the men caught about 66,500,000
pounds in 2864 trips and it was valued at $2,150,000.

“Besides our local fishing ports, the United States
Bureau sent 450 black bass, 500 rock bass, 1000 catfish,
and 800 sunfish to Gatun Lake in the Canal Zone.
They wish to experiment with the fish breeding in
these southern waters to supply the demand of people
living in that zone. The lake covers an area of 164
miles and offers an ideal place for fish, as it has many
islands, shallow sandy shores, and deep and rocky
banks, so that almost any fish-mother and house-keeper
ought to be satisfied with conditions there.”

As Nita finished reading, Mrs. Remington stood
up and said: “O Chief! I think this plan of educational
entertainment fine! Not only am I hearing
news items of moment to every good citizen but you
girls are being trained in composing essays worth
while. I will, with permission of Wako Tribe, try
this idea with my own girls.”

“How!” responded the girls, and Miss Miller
smiled with gratification at the compliment paid her
girls and herself.

“It’s Jane’s turn now,” said Zan, turning to the
next reader.

“You gave me a poser, Miss Miller, as I couldn’t
say much about animal life that Woodcrafters did not
know already. But I found that over $30,000,000 is
invested in the black fox industry at Prince Edward
Island, Canada. Insurance on these valuable animals
runs as high as $1500 on a single skin. The fox
farms are of recent origin and every successful scientific
method is applied to the rearing and care of the
foxes so that perfect and valuable furs will result.

“In St. Louis, Mo., a sale of undressed furs opened
recently and more than 1,599,000 skins were sold at
a valuation of $2,000,000.

“Then, I find that five big game reserves and sixty-seven
bird reservations are maintained by the Biological
Department of the United States Department
of Agriculture. Among them are the Montana Bison
Range, the Wind Game Preserves of South Dakota,
the Elk Refuge in Wyoming, and the Niobrara
Reservation which was intended for birds but has
been stocked with buffalo and elk for the present.

“In 1892 the United States Government used its
influence to establish a reindeer breeding industry in
Alaska. In that year a herd was imported from
Siberia and for ten consecutive years an annual importation
continued from that country. In that time
1200 reindeer were brought to Alaska and now 70,000
deer graze the plains and valleys from Nome to the
Aleutian Islands. Natives own about 46,000 of these
deer; and in the public schools and other classes the
Indians are taught to judge deer, to train them for
sledge-work, and to care for and breed them successfully.”

.. ---File: 173.png

“This is most interesting. Had anyone asked me
offhand, if Alaska used reindeer for practical use
I would have answered ‘No, of course not, you have
to go to Greenland and Siberia for them,’” said Fred
Remington.

“Elena, your turn next,” said Zan, as Fred sat
down.

“I was given the paper about play-grounds or
parks,” explained Elena, opening her paper to read.
“In Spain, all exceptionally picturesque or historical
regions, forests, lands, or buildings, that the state may
select, will be used for national parks. The natural
beauty of the land, the fauna and flora, as well as the
geological and water features of these parks, will be
protected and provide suitable places of interest for
everyone. The reigning king, finding that many natural
fauna were disappearing from Spain, began this movement
which will prove to be a good precedent for
other countries to follow before it is too late.

“In our United States, over 1,500,000 people use
the National Playgrounds each year, provided by the
Government for the public. The present policy of
the American Forestry Association is to secure such
disposition of public lands as will afford a maximum
benefit and joy to the people.

“National Parks in Hawaii are a recent improvement.
They cover 75,000 acres and include the crater
areas and natural wonders of the three great Hawaiian
volcanoes, Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Haleakala. The
latter, less familiarly known than the other two, has
a crater 2000 feet deep and offers the greatest volcanic
spectacle this side of the moon.”

As Elena finished reading Zan turned and asked
Anne Mason to read her paper.

“I was given the subject ‘New and Interesting
Manufactures Pertaining to Forest Products.’ And
most interesting it proved to be.

“The manufacture of fuel alcohol from pine sawdust
is a new industry in connection with the sawmills
in Texas and Louisiana. At Fullerton, La., a plant
costing more than $750,000. is turning out more than
5,000 gallons of fuel alcohol a day.

“Also, more than twenty thousand tons of wood-flour
valued at $300,000. are annually used in the
United States for the manufacture of dynamite and
for inlaid linoleum. It is also used for making composition
flooring, oat-meal wall paper, and other
things. In the past, the great sawmills of the United
States used half of this waste for fuel in their furnaces
and the other half was burned as refuse and discard.
Now, however, the huge waste product has found
a way to be practically used instead of being
burned.

“In the manufacture of linoleum the wood-flour is
mixed with a cementing material, spread out on burlap,
and rolled to form an even thickness. The cement is
the item that makes linoleum so expensive. Cork
linoleum is cheaper as it uses less cement. Wood-flour
linoleum is light-coloured while cork linoleum is always
a dark brown and is slightly more elastic than
that of wood-flour, but the wearing qualities are about
the same.

“Wood-pulp can be made from many kinds of wood
heretofore unused for this purpose. Samples of more
than seventy kinds of paper made from wood-pulp
have proven to be satisfactory. The cost of spruce-wood-pulp
has increased in recent years with the
scarcity of spruce, but now news-paper stock can be
kept at the same price as in former years if the paper
made from other woods proves to be acceptable to
the printer. The tests showed that eleven new woods
could be used for manufacturing manila paper and
cardboards. But these woods are mostly grown in
the West while the large plants for manufacturing
products from wood-pulp are in the East. Some
change of location must take place to deduct the cost
of transportation of the raw wood to the mills, as
this will prove to be a most important item in the
cost to the consumer.

“There are over 30,000 sawmills in this country
and the Forest Service is compiling a report as to
the manufactures of each mill: the wood mostly used,
the number of laths and shingles made, and the quantity
of lumber turned out annually.

“That’s all I could collect in the short time allotted,”
said Anne, sitting down.

“It is more than I dreamed anyone could find to
prove so interesting. I like this stunt—don’t you
girls?” commented Zan.

“How! How!” came the answer.

.. ---File: 176.png

“Now May, what did you find for us?” said the
Chief.

“I sought for items of interest about our waterways.
I found that one of the greatest reservoirs and
water regulating projects in New York State is the
construction of two dams, one at Conklingville on the
Sacandaga River, and the other at Tumblehead Falls
on the Schroon River in the Adirondacks. The plan
is to control the flow of the upper Hudson River so
that the plants using water power shall have a steadier
flow all Summer. The reservoir at Conklingville will
be about 30 miles long and 5 miles wide. In the
Schroon River it will be about 15 miles long and
about 2 miles wide.

“In the Pend Oreille River, about 25 miles north
of Spokane, Washington, a dam 375 feet higher than
the bed of the river is constructed. It has an extreme
length of 250 feet at the crest and will be 25 feet
higher than the Arrow Rock Dam which was the
highest in the world. The only site where this dam
could be built was in a cañon where the river runs
100 feet deep at low water and over 150 feet deep
in flood-times.”

May sat down and Mildred was called upon to read.

“I wasn’t quite sure of what I was supposed to do,
so I collected a few short notes—but I can do better
next time, Miss—O Chief!” explained Mildred.

.. figure:: images/wood-180.jpg
   :align: center

   A RACE, WHILE “WAKO” SAT ON THE FENCE.

“I had ‘crops’ so I found that peanuts are the chief
agricultural wealth of Madras, India. In 1916 there
were over 1,700,000 acres planted and the yield of
peanuts was estimated at about 600,000 tons. This
last year the peanut crops from every country where
they are grown are said to be double the harvest of
any previous year.”

“Ha! That’s good news, for I love the plebeian
nut!” laughed Zan, as Mildred sat down.

“Who’s next to read?” continued the Chief,
glancing at her list.

“I wrote up a paper about fruit, O Chief!” said
Frances, now standing.

“Good! Let’s hear it.”

“The strawberry crops of 1916 were worth over
$20,000,000 to the growers. This was considered a
record breaker but the crops of 1917 exceeded those
of the previous year about a third.

“The total fruit crops of this country amount to
about $250,000,000 value annually and the 1917
products are said to be the heaviest yield for many
years past. The census for canning and drying fruits
and vegetables was taken from 3199 establishments
in 1914 and the products were valued at $158,000,000.
If such an enormous sum was invested in this work
in 1914 we may well consider the tremendous wealth
of the products of 1917, with such wonderful yield
of crops and with everyone eager to preserve the
bounty of fruit and vegetables given us by Nature.

“One of Portugal’s exports is dried figs. Since
the markets of Germany and Russia have been closed
by the war, the largest trade held by the Portuguese
is suspended. The only good market still open for
these figs is the United States. Last year Portugal
shipped over 10,500,000 pounds, valued at $400,000,
to this country.

“The cocoanut industry promises to become one
of Panama’s main sources of trade. Cocoanut trees
ought to be planted about 70 to the acre and when
these mature, as they do in about five years’ time,
they bring forth about 100 cocoanuts to a tree every
year. They bear fruit actively for more than twenty
years, thus proving a good investment to the planter.”

This reading was applauded by the audience and
then Zan asked if Eleanor had complied with the
request to write up some item.

“I have one but it really is not worth reading as
my slip of paper asked for an article not half so interesting
as the other girls had,” replied Eleanor, with
an unpleasant manner.

“In June, 1916, school children in all sections of
Cincinnati, Ohio, were started on little gardens where
flowers and vegetables, or small fruits were raised.
The plan finally launched the window-gardens which
have made such a great improvement in the appearance
of the city streets. The beauty of the floral boxes
so impressed the city authorities that they agreed to
offer seeds free to any citizen who would plant and
care for the flowers. This idea is now spreading to
other large cities and people are encouraged to have
flower boxes in their windows. When will our eastern
cities take a forward step like this?”

As Eleanor sat down, Mrs. Remington said: “I
wish our League would take up this movement for
New York and adjoining large cities. An organization
can do much more than a few individuals.”

“My dear, make a note of this and let us suggest
it at the next National Council,” added Mr. Remington.

“O Chief!” said Elizabeth, standing, “I am not
a member of your Band but I can add a mite to the
general reports. I can say that Japan exports to the
United States every year over $1,500,000. worth of
Battenburg and Renaissance work—doilies, covers,
and scarfs. Thousands of Japanese girls do this work
at home during their spare hours.”

“How!” cried the girls as their visitor finished
her report.

“Have we anyone else to contribute?” asked the
Chief.

Fred then stood up and cleared his throat—a habit
he had when he felt the least bit embarrassed.

“I might add that Instructors from the Agricultural
College of the United States gave the Indians
new insight into modern farming methods.

“The first course for Indian Farmers in Wisconsin
was held at Kashena, on the Menominee Reservation,
and was attended by scores of Tribes-men.”

“O Chief, I can tell you something, too,” cried
Billy, as his big brother sat down. “A treaty between
Great Britain and the United States for the protection
of insectivorous birds on both sides of the Canadian
border was negotiated in 1916.”

.. ---File: 182.png

“Who hasn’t read a paper?” asked Zan, looking
around.

“You haven’t!” retorted Jane.

“I know, but I am reserving mine for the last as it
is so superlative I knew the rest of you would feel
too discouraged after hearing mine to read what you
had written, so that the meeting would lose many
reports,” explained Zan, mysteriously.

“Then I make a motion that the Chief be asked to
make that boast good!” cried Elizabeth.

Amid laughter, the motion was loudly seconded and
carried, and Zan waited for the uproar to quiet down
before she said:

“You won’t feel so jubilant when you hear the
lesson I have ready for you who persist in a great
waste of physical energy. My article was culled from
the pages of ‘The Guide to Nature’ which is a good
magazine for Woodcrafters published by the Agassiz
Association. They found this article in one of our
leading magazines and considered it interesting
enough to reprint.”

Then Zan read a paper she had written in her own
amusing style, the main points of which she had read
in the periodical mentioned.

“In June, 1916, an unusual but tremendously significant
fiftieth anniversary of the chewing gum was
ushered in—but not with laurels or pæans of praise
did this gummy little product celebrate. In fact, very
few of its enthusiastic masticators knew a thing of
this birthday, until it was mentioned in the papers.

.. ---File: 183.png

“Just think of it! Fifty years of chewing on something
that never satisfies but always attracts more and
more—like a nightmare where money lies scattered
everywhere but vanishes when an eager hand tries
to grasp it.

“We have had all kinds of trouble with Mexico
in recent times, but never, no matter what we do or
what they do, can the public of the United States ever
properly reward Mexico for introducing the greatest
boon known to base-ball fans, movie fanatics, and
commuters—to say nothing of the miscellany and
Woodcraft folks!

“It was on a certain occasion when General Santa
Anna of Mexico was calling on a friend at Snug
Harbour, Staten Island, that Thomas Adams also called
upon the same friend. While the three talked the
General took a chunk of something resembling a solid
bit of over-shoe from his pocket and cut off a small
piece. He placed it in his mouth and began chewing.
Then he offered some to his companions.

“Mr. Adams looked it over dubiously and said:
‘Will you please tell me where you found it?’

“Then the General explained that it was the gum
of the zapote tree, better known as ‘chicle.’ Mr.
Adams was a brave man, so he experimented. As
he chewed he evolved a brilliant idea and he asked
the General for a goodly sized piece of the gum. He
took it home to see if it could not be vulcanized for
a patented rubber to be used as a basis of artificial
teeth.

.. ---File: 184.png

“But the tests proved hopeless for false teeth, as
the chicle was too conscientious to lend itself to any
falsity, knowing well that it was meant for a far
greater blessing than to hold porcelain molars in place.
It felt in its soul that it could entertain a great and
mighty nation in its elasticity *between* the jaws but
never to become a part of a jaw.

“So in a huff, the chemist who was experimenting
for Mr. Adams got up and snapped out: ‘The stuff
isn’t worth a darn for anything but just chewing!’

“Now Mr. Adams was a right clever Yankee so he
suddenly felt inspired to try out this curse on the
gullible American public, for he felt much as Barnum
did, when he made his speech which will go down
in history.

“So he and his son raised a capital of thirty-five
dollars and began the manufacture of the greatest
sorrow-quencher, intensest joy-maker, most fascinating
jaw-acher, and effervescing hunger-stabiliser
the world ever knew.

“In those pioneer days of chicle, there was no
flavouring to lend enchantment to the gum, and it
was chewing for the sake of chewing. However, once
the children found out what a source of annoyance
this chewing gum proved to be to teachers, guardians,
and parents, its success was assured, for let the juvenile
American public decide favourably upon a thing and
other verdicts can condemn in vain. Later, when all
protests were futile, the elders had to take to chewing
in sheer self-defence.

.. ---File: 185.png

“To such vast proportions has this habit grown
that at the present day the energy used in chewing
gum is sufficient to propel a ferry-boat from New
York Harbour to Hong Kong, China. In electrical
terms a current powerful enough to lift 43,305,505
tons 34,000 miles per minutes per second per kilowatt
hour.

“But to offset these stupendous figures in this loss
of jaw-power one must stop to think of the good
chicle has brought to the American public.

“It has been the means of having all cars and other
transportation service hang signs in conspicuous places
warning the passengers to conform to the City Health
Laws—hence the floors of public places have been
neater and cleaner than ever before.

“It has been the means of furnishing suitable slot-machines
at every corner, in every popular store, and
at every post in railway stations of every description.
These boxes must needs attract the people for the
gum, so they were equipped with mirror fronts to enable
the ever-neat but not gaudy passengers to see that
their hats were on straight, that tips of noses were
properly powdered, that neckties were tied in the latest
knot, or that Kaiser moustaches were twisted up at
the correct angle—free from any thoughts of vanity,
of course. While viewing these important details of
toilettes folks naturally read the signs assuring them
of the life-giving, harmony-creating, beauty-producing
chicle.

“Now friends, the answer is: Drop one cent in
the slot, take the minute package that shoots out into
the pan, start chewing on the fragrant chicle, and sit
in a subway car opposite other masticating engines,
and you will see other hapless passengers run from
the car at the next station and secure a similar package
to that your cent brought forth. Such is the power
of suggestion on a subway. The vaccination always
takes!”

As Zan read, the audience had tittered, but when
she concluded and sat down the younger contingent
laughed outright and “How’ed!” Then Miss Miller
stood up.

“O Chief, I am not sure whether that essay deserves
a *coup* or a Chump Mark.”

Mr. Remington then jumped up. “It sounded as
if our esteemed Chief was hired by the chicle company
as a salesman or demonstrator of their products!”

“O Chief!” added Mrs. Remington. “I vote that
the writer be awarded an honour as it is interesting
and instructive to learn how great and universal has
the pernicious habit of gum-chewing grown in this
thoughtless age. Perhaps a few more notices like this
will rouse the people to consider the final results of
indulging in weakening and disgusting habits like continual
chewing.”

“I’ll consider the last speaker’s sensible remark,”
said Mr. Remington, rising from the log seat. “But
I need to retire to weigh the case impartially.”

“You’re not going away, are you?” cried Billy,
as his father walked from the circle.

.. ---File: 187.png

“It’s long past bed-time and Baby is nodding,”
explained Mrs. Remington.

The Guide looked at her wrist watch and then exclaimed:
“Goodness me! It is past eleven o’clock’.”

“The parting song and then we say good-night,”
said Zan, and the Woodcrafters all stood to join in
the Indian hymn.

The next morning found the indoor campers as
eager for fun as youngsters ever are, and seeing that
the weather was still threatening rain but was not
actually fulfilling its threat, made the Band declare
for some out-door sport without delay.

While the breakfast dishes were being washed and
the room put in order, voices were heard on the way
from the garage. In a few minutes, the Baker boys,
and Jack, with the Remington boys, peeped in at the
double doors.

“Hello there! Fred Remington invited us over
for a hike. Didn’t think you girls would be here, as
you were sure of going to Orange Mountain,” said
Fiji.

“Pooh, I know *you*, Fiji Baker! You never thought
of a hike until you heard from Dad that *we* were here.
I bet anything you called up Fred Remington first and
asked him to invite you over!” declared Zan, nodding
wisely.

“Well, I don’t know that it matters much who is
right—but it remains a fact that now we’re here we
may as well entertain you girls,” said Jack Hubert.

Instantly every girl was up in arms and what might
have transpired is not known, for the ever watchful
Guide comprehended, and said joyfully:

“Oh how fine! Then you boys will show us how
to play ‘Hunt the Deer’ or ‘Bear Hunting.’”

“I’ll run to the house for the bear and spears.
Meantime, you can warm up by having some races,”
said Fred Remington.

Fred whispered to Fiji and ran away, and immediately
afterward the boys led the way to the back-road
that ran to the pasture. Here they had running
races, jumping and throwing contests, and many other
tests between the girls and boys, until Fred returned
with a noticeably new burlap bear, and wooden spears.

The rest of the forenoon was enjoyed by having
exciting Woodcraft games of hunting and spearing—both
games that tested the surety of the arm and eye.

The sun came through heavy clouds during the
afternoon and the girls enjoyed a hike through the
woods and fields. Many an item was found that day
to add to the collection of flowers and trees and birds
for the new members’ lists.

Late Sunday evening, as all were ready to depart
from the Council House, it was agreed that never had
an indoor camp been so appreciated as this one by the
girls of Wako Tribe.

.. ---File: 189.png

CHAPTER TEN—IN FALLING LEAF MOON
================================

That week a Council was held to decide upon
the merits of the new members. As each was
called upon to answer various questions, the replies
were perfectly satisfactory until it came Eleanor’s
turn. The report on her month of probation was not
very encouraging to the five founders of the Tribe.

“What’s the matter, Eleanor—you’ve had the same
time and privileges as the others?” asked Zan, impatiently.

“Oh, I don’t know as I care to join this crowd.
It is always some silly deference to you as Chief. If
Miss Miller was the one we had to ask permission of
before we could speak to the others I wouldn’t mind,
’cause she is older and is a teacher, too. But I refuse
to kow-tow to you!” retorted Eleanor.

“Humph! Guess you got out of bed with your
left foot foremost, this morning,” complained Jane.

“If she don’t want to conform to our Tribe laws
she can do the other thing! I have no intention of
harbouring mutiny in the circle,” added Zan, angrily.

“No one asked you to! If the other snobbish girls
want to be walked over just because your father has
a car in which they can take a ride now and then, it’s
none of my affair. *I* for one will not act the hypocrite
for the sake of an automobile drive!” snapped Eleanor.

“Hypocrite! Good gracious! You’re the biggest——”

What it was was not heard, for Miss Miller entered
and, frowning, remarked: “Ladies! Ladies! are we
Woodcrafters or are we irresponsible tramps with no
education or refinement!”

Everyone flushed and looked uncomfortable but
Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and walked out without
a word to anyone.

“Let her go—I only hope it’s for good!” grumbled
Zan.

“I am sorry this incident has occurred just now
as I brought with me a letter addressed to the Tribe
to be read at this meeting,” said the Guide.

Not a sound was heard and the teacher continued:

“The other school girls have heard of the good
times and Nature studies you are having and many
of them wish to join you. Of course there can be
but ten more girls added to this Tribe but many of
those not selected can start another Tribe.

“It seems that Eleanor Wilson has been talking of
leaving this Band and the girls told her how foolish
she was when it was going to do her so much good.
But that is just what made the girl still more obstinate.
Now matters have come to a crisis here, for this scene
means Eleanor must stay or go—which shall it be?
I know certain unpleasant incidents in connection with
Eleanor’s behaviour that would prejudice me against
her did I not know that the girl is in dire need of the
training Woodcraft can give her. What say you?”

Put up to the girls in this way caused each one to
think seriously and refrain from condemnation. Then
the Chief said: “We were speaking of these things
with Mrs. Remington the other day, and she advised
us to go slow and not act in a way that we might
regret later.”

“Miss Miller, maybe if we each took this case as
a personal matter and judged Eleanor as if she was
our own sister, we might feel more lenient and patient
with her short-comings,” said May Randall.

Miss Miller was pleasantly surprised to hear a new
member express such sentiments, and she nodded approvingly.
“I am glad to hear this—shall we vote
to give Eleanor another trial?”

“O Chief! Let me say a word before any girl votes
on a matter that they may not feel quite satisfied with
but will do as the others wish them to do,” said Nita,
jumping up and flushing.

“Proceed.”

“If the new members knew of the trouble at
Wickeecheokee this past Summer and what a change
has been wrought in me! Some of you knew me
before this Summer and some did not. But let me
say, that this case of Eleanor Wilson’s seems much
the same in a different dress, and if I have seen the
truth and been helped to a different plane of life cannot
Eleanor do the same? She needs us.”

Nita’s earnest voice finished speaking and the girls
realised she had been pleading for the future of a
girl’s life. The Guide found it necessary to turn away
her face to pretend to look for a paper in her desk—in
reality to dry the sudden moisture in her eyes caused
by Nita’s heartfelt words.

“O Chief! I make a motion that Eleanor be given
a patient trial just as we would do if a girl was sick,”
said Elena.

The motion was seconded by Zan, and carried
unanimously.

“Now girls, let us write a letter to the new applicants
and let them know that they may look forward
to joining a second Band in November, and then we
will send a short note to Eleanor to tell her how
sorry we were that she did not remain to vote with
us,” said Zan.

As impulsive Zan, proud Jane, superficial Nita, and
indolent Elena of last Summer’s experiences showed
such wonderful improvement for better and nobler
things, Miss Miller felt that the efforts and time spent
about “Her Father’s Business” were beginning to
bear fruit abundantly.

That week the Band met two evenings for social
and Tribal affairs. The first meeting was held at
Zan’s house and the second one at Jane Hubert’s.
Both of these places offered ample space for the Indian
songs and dances enjoyed by Woodcrafters, so they
were usually selected in preference to the small rooms
of modern apartment houses such as the ones where
Elena, Hilda, and some of the new members lived.
At Dr. Baker’s house, the girls were discussing the
limited music given by the tomtom. As the complaints
were finished Miss Miller addressed the girls.

“I find some of our sweetest songs need a greater
depth of harmony than is possible to bring out of
hide, so I will suggest a simple instrument that was
much in vogue in ancient days. To-day we hear little
of it. Who present can play on glass?”

No one could and several voices expressed amazement.

.. figure:: images/wood-195.jpg
   :align: center

“Zan, can you bring me eight thin glass finger
bowls? If you haven’t them, just tumblers will do,
but the bowls offer a better surface. I will also want
a jug of water and your moist colours,” said Miss
Miller.

Zan brought the required articles and Miss Miller
placed the eight bowls in a row on the table. Then
she placed a dab of water-colour in each of seven
bowls, leaving one natural water. Next she poured
water into the bowls—different quantities for the different
notes. The first bowl was almost full of water
and that had no colour in it. The second bowl had not
as much water and was coloured red. The third bowl
held still less water which was blue. The fourth with
still less water was coloured yellow. The fifth was
green and that was half full. The sixth was less than
half full and was tinged purple. The seventh held
a quarter of a bowl full and was orange. The eighth
and last held but little water and was tinted black.
The colours were stirred from the bottom so that all
the paint was well dissolved.

“Now girls, the bowl holding the clear water,
having more in it than the others, will give us the highest
note, and so on down the scale until we reach
the lowest note which holds least water in the
bowl.

“By placing the highest note and fullest bowl at
my right hand and so on until the lowest note is at my
extreme left, I can play the scale just as if I was
playing on a piano.”

Miss Miller carefully moistened her fingers in the
water and also moistened the edges of the bowls.

“Now listen and tell me what I am playing?”
said she.

The Guide lightly passed her moist fingertips around
the rim of the right-hand bowl and produced a clear
sweet tone.

“G!” called the girls as she looked for their reply.

“Now these?”

Again she passed her fingers over the rims of the
glasses and played the scale. As she brought out the
notes the girls gathered about the table and listened
with surprised interest.

“Now I will play my favourite patriotic song,
‘Our America,’ and after I have played it through
you girls might sing it.”

.. figure:: images/wood-197.jpg
   :align: center

   OUR AMERICA
   
..

   | 1
   | 
   | America, America, thou gavest birth
   | To light that lighteth all the earth.
   |   God keep it pure!
   | We love that onward leading light;
   | We will defend it with our might,
   |   It shall endure!
   | 
   | 
   | 2
   | 
   | America, America, our love of thee
   | Is free-men’s love of Liberty,
   |   The Spirit blest,
   | Which holds high happiness in store,
   | When Right shall reign from shore to shore.
   |   From East to West.
   |
   |
   | 3
   | 
   | America, America, thy seer-graved seal
   | Foretells the perfect Commonweal
   |   Of God-made men;
   | Its eagle with unwearied wings
   | Is symbol of the thought-seen things
   |   Of prophet’s ken.
   | 
   | 
   | 4
   | 
   | America, America, on-pressing van
   | Of all the hopes of waking man,
   |   We love thy flag!—Thy stately flag of steadfast
   | stars,
   | And white, close held to heart-red bars,
   |   Which none shall drag!
   | 
   | 
   | 5
   | 
   | America, America, in thee is found
   | Manasseh’s tribe, to Ephraim bound
   |   By Israel’s vow,
   | Whose destiny is heaven-sealed;
   | Far spreading vine in fruitful field
   |   God’s planting, thou!
   | 
   | 
   | 6
   | 
   | America, America, faith-shadowed land,
   | Truth dwells in Thee, and Truth shall stand
   |   To guard thy gate.
   | Thy planted seed of potent good
   | Shall grow to world-wide brotherhood,
   |   Man’s true estate.
   | 
   | 
   | 7
   | 
   | America, America, the God of love
   | Whose name is ev’ry name above
   |   Is thy defence.
   | ’Tis thou must lead the longing world
   | From phantom fears to Love’s unfurled
   |   Omnipotence.

The music was played through and then the Guide
began the song again, expecting the girls to sing, but
they were so intensely interested in watching her deft
fingers touch the rims of the bowls that they quite
forgot to sing. As Miss Miller concluded the song
the second time, she looked around and laughed:

“That was the softest singing I ever thought
possible!”

The girls laughed, too, and Zan said: “Try us
again—maybe we can voice more sound.”

Then the song was played and sung through and
Mrs. Baker came in to listen, saying: “It sounded
so sweet that I wanted to hear it at closer range.”

“I think the idea is charming, but of course there
is nothing like the tomtom for an Indian scalp dance
or Hopi Indian song,” said Miss Miller.

She then played several old ballads, the girls humming
the chorus of each as she played it.

“Girls, let’s have Miss Miller play that Morning
Prayer that was written for us by request. We all
know the words and with this sweet music it ought
to sound lovely!” exclaimed Zan.

Then the manuscript sheet of music sent the Band
by a friend was produced and the Guide played it.
At the second playing the girls all sang in low sweet
voices and who can say that the genuine desire expressed
in the words of the simple verses was not
as acceptable to the Great Spirit as any scholastic
prayer ever uttered by famous theologians.

“If Miss Miller will agree, we can practise this
glass music at odd moments during the week and any
member excelling in the performance on Saturday will
have a prize—same as May’s chest,” ventured Jane.
“Yes, unless we have a camp this week-end. If we
do we can award the prize some evening next week,”
assented Zan.

“You girls can all try but I have too many other
things to do this week. Besides, I wouldn’t bother to
work for such nonsensical prizes as the kind you gave
May,” said Eleanor, aggravatingly.

Zan flared up but a look from the Guide calmed
her again.

“By the way, Eleanor, did you ever complete your
Woodcraft test of carpentry?” now asked Miss Miller,
meaningly.

“Why, no—I thought I would leave the Band so
I did not bother to waste my time.”

“Well, as long as you remained with us, I would
advise you to finish it without more delay so we can
credit up your Tally.”

Eleanor said nothing but she sulked all evening,
and when the girls were ready to leave, Miss Miller
said: “I am walking down your way, Eleanor, and
I will be glad to have company part of the way.”

The girl would much rather not have had the Guide
walk home with her for the memory of her confession
at Staten Island Camp was never forgotten although
she had tried to bury it many a time. So she was not
in a very friendly mood when the two were alone and
walking down the quiet street.

“I made this opportunity on purpose, Eleanor, and
I trust you will remember why?” said Miss Miller.

“I haven’t the slightest idea of what you mean,
but if you walked this way just to be with me why
should you prevaricate before the whole crowd?”

“I hardly think I did that! I always try to speak
the truth—in thought as well as in deed. But in this
instance I felt sure you would prefer to have me word
my invitation as I did rather than speak bluntly of my
purpose. I believe in using the ‘wisdom of the serpent’
when one can be absolutely true to one’s self.”

“Huh! ‘And gentleness of the dove,’ why don’t
you add?” sneered Eleanor, unkindly.

“I didn’t think it necessary to add that with you,
as you should be aware of my gentleness in handling
this delicate situation. As long as you fail to appreciate
my good intentions it may be that you will understand
bluntness better.”

Miss Miller waited but Eleanor made no reply, so
she added:

“When do you intend telling May and the others
about the theft?”

“How dare you say that to me!” cried Eleanor,
trying to be furiously insulted.

“Because I dare to stand for the truth. I have
waited many days now, and offered you many good
opportunities to admit your deed, but you seem farther
from doing the right thing than ever. Do you know
that the hiding of any wrong thing is a hindrance in
itself to one’s progress?”

“I shall turn in this side street unless you mind
your own business!” flared Eleanor, looking down the
uninviting dark road.
“You may do that but you cannot run away from
your own self-condemnation and conscience. And I
know from the signs that you have shown, that the
trouble is preying upon your mind and making of you
a most petulant, disagreeable being. Rid yourself of
the error and see the uplifting you will feel at once.”

Whether it was the yearning in Miss Miller’s voice
or the answer to her earnest silent prayer for guidance,
it matters not, for both were sweet to the Father’s
ear, and Eleanor again felt the surging desire to reform
and build up a different character for herself.

Quite unexpectedly, she turned and threw her arms
about the Guide’s neck and wept forth: “Oh, if I
could only see the girls this very minute—here in the
dark—I would be so happy to confess.”

“Eleanor, do you really mean that?” asked Miss
Miller, her voice quivering with hope and joy.

“Um-um, Ooh, ye-e-es! But to-morrow I will be
hard again!”

“No you won’t, dear child, for the Spirit will stay
with you to soften the human will! Now let us stop
in at the gym and you shall write a letter to the Band
that will answer just the same as if you spoke in the
dark, for you need not see them when they read the
words and cry gratefully over your courage and repentance.”

“Cry—don’t you think they will fire me out of the
Band?” asked Eleanor, incredulously.

“No, my dear, for they know that this from you
means a far greater work of redemption than if a
good little girl who never had any erroneous temptations
always smiled and walked obediently in the pathway
all prepared for her feet!”

“Oh, Miss Miller, you make everything so good
and easy for a sinner to repent!”

And they stopped at the school-gymnasium for
which the teacher carried a key. And here not only
was a note penned, but many an admonition was given
the girl that helped her over dark and rocky places
in after life.

Suffice it to say here, that the letter caused great
consternation when read by the Guide to the girls the
next afternoon, but she advised them wisely and
gently, so that Zan’s fury and May’s resentment soon
disappeared and left in its place the wish to help
Eleanor in her struggle to win out in the battle
between her better self and the evil counterfeit.

Eleanor failed to appear at any of the meetings
that week although she sent in a piece of carpentry
made for her test that elicited the admiration of the
other girls. Also she sent in a Tally Book she made
for her own use, and this, too, caused Elena, the
artist, to exclaim, for it was as pretty as her own—and
that was said to be the most artistic one in the
Band.

The next Thursday evening’s meeting was held at
Jane’s home. Miss Miller said it would be a good
plan to begin regular work on the bead trimmings as
she wished every girl to complete a handsome set of
banding for a ceremonial costume in which to appear
at Grand Councils.

This motion was agreed upon and Elena entered
the vote in the Tally Book, that each girl was to present
the results of her bead-loom work a month from
that day.

Later in the evening the Guide spoke of the many
ways Woodcraft girls had in the city of following
pursuits they little dreamed of.

“For instance: when you are on the streets and
the wind is blowing the dust about, always keep your
mouth closed and breathe through the nostrils. Also
keep your toes nearly straight when walking and expand
the chest. In crossing a street, always look both
ways, especially in a crowded thoroughfare, before
attempting to cross. Most of the accidents to pedestrians
are caused by people in a hurry, or impatient,
and not obeying the traffic laws. When one is mindful
of law one is always protected and safe. Now
I wonder how many of you know the meaning of the
coloured lights on the street lamps, or other places?
How many girls are familiar with the signals of policemen,
particularly the traffic squad?”

Very few of the girls could answer correctly to
these vital questions, and the Guide explained, then
continued her talk to them.

“Besides the city signs and laws every girl should
know where the parks, museums, libraries, and other
public buildings are located so anyone inquiring for
them can be directed without loss of time or confusion—also
for our own convenience.

“In the museums we can study the national costumes
and customs of every nation in the world, from
the collections on exhibit of different periods in history.
Any interested person can find in the wonderful
free exhibits, the pictures, statuary, carvings, relics,
and many other things impossible to find elsewhere,
a liberal education in itself.

“Besides these treasures, gathered at great cost
of time, life, and money, for us to enjoy at our
leisure, we also have the aquarium at Battery Park,
Zoological Gardens, Horticultural Gardens, and many
interesting streets and structures of old New York
that one never thinks of being in existence. The public
lectures given gratis every week to anyone who will
avail themselves of the privilege, the great Community
Chorus founded to train voices in the best
music, the singers giving public concerts for all at
different times each year, and numerous other sources
of educational interests where you are invited and
welcomed as warmly as if you paid an exorbitant fee
to attend—all these places can be found by referring
to the daily papers.

“In speaking of the many advantages girls had
without using a third of them, Mrs. Remington mentioned
that her Tribe went to the New York Parks
last year and actually found one hundred different
kinds of trees, a hundred wild flowers, sixty kinds
of birds flying about, furry four-footed animals,
turtles, snakes, and other things mentioned in the
Manual for *coups* and grand *coups*.”

“I never thought of that!” declared Zan, thoughtfully.

“Neither did I. Can’t we go, too, Miss Miller, and
make up our hundred for grand *coups*?” asked
Jane.

“Of course we can, and that is why I mentioned it.
Even the new members can find what they need right
in Central Park. Then there is the Bronx and Van
Courtlandt Parks should you exhaust the ‘happy
hunting grounds’ of Central Park,” replied the Guide,
pleased.

“Oh girls, can’t we go right soon?” exclaimed
Anne Mason.

“Gracious! There seems more to do than one
Winter can ever find time for!” sighed Nita.

“I know that sigh by this time—Nita thinks we
won’t bother to dance if we adventure about the wilds
of New York!” laughed Zan.

“Everything in its own place, you know. We will
have as much time for steps and songs as ever, for
the evenings at home can be devoted to indoor fun,
you know,” explained the Guide.

“I’m glad we won’t have any extra studies to catch
up with this year. When we had to forge ahead to
make room for scholars last year, we couldn’t possibly
have had any Woodcraft fun in the evenings,” ventured
Hilda, gratefully.

“And so the completion of the new High School
on the other side of the city is a blessing to you Woodcrafters,”
said Miss Miller.

“We ought to have our individual Tally Books all
ready for entries if we go off on trips like the ones
you mentioned,” suggested May.

“Yes, and I want you to each have your totems
completed so that important incidents or progress can
be depicted on the pole. Besides the totems and
Tallies, each girl must make a good set of rubbing
sticks and the bag and other adjuncts to complete a
fire set. We ought to make and decorate articles of
useful furniture, to make a garment, to cook and
preserve, and many other pursuits that can be best
done in the Winter indoors.”

“Miss Miller, I am going to follow Elizabeth Remington’s
idea. She made a bead band trimming on
which the story of a Summer in camp was pictured.
I shall do the same, and in symbolic pictures tell the
story of our camp on the farm,” said Zan.

“Oh Zan, that will be fine! Call it the costume
of the ‘Woodcraft Girls at Camp,’” said Jane.

“Do you mind if we girls make one that way?”
asked Elena.

“Of course not! It isn’t likely that any of you
will work out the same idea in beads as I will,” replied
Zan.

“I think the plan is good and the ceremonial dresses
ought to look beautiful,” approved Miss Miller.

Thus an incentive for beading and sewing was
offered the original members of Wickeecheokee Band.
But the new members thought they could design Indian
figures and symbols that would be pretty and
answer the present need for trimming, and when they
had had practise and experiences to picture they could
add to their bead-work.

That evening the girls learned that Woodcraft was
not so much a matter of camps and meetings as of
individual study and growth—and application of the
highest and best that one was possible of doing.

“O Chief! Will you try and see Eleanor to-morrow
and tell her of our plans for the Winter? Possibly
the very fact of your seeking her to mention this
meeting as an item of Tribe business will assure her
that we all wish her to do her share in the undertaking,”
said Miss Miller, as the meeting adjourned.

Zan sought out the wayward member although she
disliked an errand like this one. She reported the
different plans the Guide outlined for the girls and
then told Eleanor to “get busy” on her bead trimming
for a leather costume.

“Dear me, it is nothing but work, work, work, in
your Lodge. Now I heard from a girl who is a
Woodcrafter in Plainfield, and *she* says they have
the jolliest times! They go to entertainments, have
candy pulls, parties, and almost every week they all
go to some place of amusement together. *You* never
do that!” complained Eleanor.

“If that girl tells the truth and is a real Woodcrafter
she combines pleasure with advancement.
Maybe she considers a hike or a Council a party, and
you misunderstood her. She may think she ‘is having
the best of times’ going to a lecture which you misconstrue
as a place of amusement. Anyway, it doesn’t
matter what some folks think or do, Wako Tribe has
a pattern of its own and it cuts its cloth accordingly,”
replied Zan, not too humbly, for she felt impatient at
the reception given her message from Miss Miller.

Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and Zan left her
without another word, both feeling the occasion had
been given for a better understanding but the result
of it was a failure.

After the meeting at which the girls realised the
many free resorts where Woodcraft *coups* could be
won, they took new interest in home-work as well.
Zan completed a set of rustic furniture made of the
timber from the farm, and this set of table, two chairs,
and two stools was decorated with Indian emblems.

“Dad, isn’t this a peachy set?” asked she when it
was finished and standing on the wide rear porch
for exhibition.

“It certainly is, Daughter. Now the question is,
where shall we keep it until next Spring when we can
ship it to the farm?” answered the doctor.

“Keep it? Why, in the parlour, of course!” declared
Zan, frowning at the implied meaning in her father’s
question.

“And sell the junk mother has there to a second
hand dealer! Of course! how could I have been so
stupid as to think otherwise,” replied Dr. Baker
meekly.
Zan studied his face but his expression was inscrutable.

“We-el-1—I s’pose I *might* keep it in the library!”
ventured she, as she pictured her mother’s
solid-mahogany-frames-upholstered-silk-velour-furniture
thrown on a scrap wagon.

“Maybe—I am only suggesting, of course—maybe
we could ship it to the farm this Fall and store there
until next Summer,” said the doctor.

“But I expect to use it all the time, Dad. Right
this week I shall sit on the chair and use the table,”
cried Zan.

“Then let us leave it just where it is for the time
being as you need all the fresh air you can get during
the fine Indian Summer weather. When the snow
blows we can freight it to Wickeecheokee.”

Everyone Zan knew was brought to the house to
admire the rustic furniture, but after a week of exhibiting
she grew weary of repeating verbally the
methods of manufacturing the set, and then she settled
down to use it when at work on the bead-loom.

The table and a chair were carried to the birches
still green, growing in one corner of the grass-plat,
and here Zan wove the banding, her nimble fingers
flying in and out, back and forth, as the bead trimming
began to take on unique and pretty pictures of camp-life.

Now and then some of the other girls would join
Zan and work on the looms, and at these visits tongues
would talk of the many plans for Tribe activities that
Winter.

“Do you see any improvement in Eleanor?” asked
Jane, one day.

“Funny that you should ask me that. I asked Miss
Miller the same thing this morning,” replied Zan.

“What did she say?” from Jane.

“She thought the change wrought for the better
was more mental and spiritual than in material expression,
but the results were bound to be apparent
to everyone in time.”

“Guess it will be a long time, then!” retorted Jane.

“Miss Miller says we mustn’t feel that way about
it. That we are killing the frail child of a weak but
higher aspiration. If we train our thoughts to consider
the motives and yearnings for a more harmonious
life that the girl *must* have, we will not condemn and
criticise her acts. It is the *human* judgment of *things*
that makes obstacles in the road of one’s advancement,
she told me.”

“Dear me, I wish I was as good and wise as Miss
Miller,” sighed Jane, gazing skyward.

“Say, you’re not the only one holding a mortgage
on that wish! Every blessed girl of Wako Tribe tries
to copy the model Guide,” said Zan, smilingly, as she
remembered Fiji’s words: “If you knew as much as
your Guide, what a wonderful sister you would be.”

Miss Miller had reports to make out that week-end
so there was no hope of camping, but the girls felt
they had so much to do in the city that the outing
would not be missed. A plan was made for the following
week, however, to camp on the Palisades. The
Guide invited the girls to meet her for a short time
in the gymnasium that Friday, to decide upon a location
for the camp.

Miss Miller was not in the room when the girls
gathered together, but she came in shortly afterward.
Her face beamed with pleasant news and Zan immediately
said:

“We know from your expression that you know
something good!”

“Yes, I do, and the letter just came on the last
mail. I just received the pass for our Band admitting
us to the lectures and cinematograph pictures given at
the National Museum of History in New York. They
start next week and the course, which is on Indian
Crafts and Folk Lore beginning with the Zuni Indians,
will be of great interest and help to us. I want every
one of you girls to try and attend these lectures with
me, so better ask permission from your parents.”

“Oh, that *is* good news!” cried Elena.

“We sure are indebted to you, Miss Miller, for all
the trouble you take for our enjoyment,” added Zan.

The other girls expressed their gratitude, too, and
then the talk centered on the expectations of what
these lectures would bring forth. Miss Miller saw
the condition that often exists when folks are given
something to look forward to in the near future—their
thoughts fill with outlines and ideas of that
which is to be, instead of living and making the best
of that which is offered at the immediate present.
The wise Guide knew that this form of mental picturing
and outlining of things, still misty and indistinct
to the individual, was an undesirable state of
imagination so she quickly changed the current of
their thoughts by saying:

“Girls, I have an odd Indian legend founded on the
constellation of ‘Charles Wain.’ Want to hear it?”

Naturally every girl cried for the story and they
sat down in a circle to listen.

.. ---File: 212.png

CHAPTER ELEVEN—CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS
===================================

“This myth comes from the Tlingit Indians of
Alaska and is named ‘The Wain House
People,’” began Miss Miller.

“Certain Indians came to a fort to live, and after
a time began killing bears, ground-hogs, porcupines,
mountain sheep, and other animals for food. After
they had killed them, they cut off the heads and set
them up on sticks about the village, then the people
sang to these objects.

“Now there was a young man among them who
was to be Chief. When he was born he had been
placed in a sheep’s skin instead of cradle. As he
grew older he was able to follow the mountain sheep
to places on the cliffs where no one else could go,
hence he killed more sheep than anyone else.

“After he had cut off and mounted the heads of
his sheep he, too, would sing and dance about them,
saying tauntingly: ‘I wish I was a sheep! I wish
my head was cut off too!’

“Meantime, the mountain sheep were becoming
angry at losing so many of their flocks and one day,
when the villagers went up for a great hunt, they
met a flock of sheep that led them up the steep mountain-side
to a place where they appeared to be herding
together.

“But once near the sheep, the people were surprised
to see them race still higher up the side of the steep
rocks. The young hunter who wished to be a great
chief ran after them and became separated from his
companions. When on the very top of the peak he
was met by a fine looking young man who shone like
the sun and had a long white beard like the mountain
ancients. This stranger turned to the youth who had
been cradled in a sheep’s skin and invited him to his
home. He led the way inside of the mountain where
everything looked weird and strange. Great heaps
of horns were piled everywhere, and the stranger said:
‘These are the horns I am keeping to fit to the heads
of the villagers.’

“When the young man’s friends missed him they
sought day and night without success, then they went
home to plan how to rescue him. For many days the
search was resumed until finally they discovered his
horn-spear stuck in the ground near the top of the
peak. But no other clue could they find although they
kept up a search for many days.

“Then the villagers declared that he was lost to
them and they wailed and beat the drums for the
hunter who came not back.

“Now the shining stranger tried to fit a pair of
horns on the young hunter’s head. They were heated
and, when taken from the terrific fire that burned
continually in the pit of the mountain, they were put
upon and held to his head so that the poor hunter
thought the insides of his head would be burnt out.

“During this trial, a few of the hunter’s friends
still sought for him whenever they hunted on the
mountain-side, and after a year’s time, a young man
climbed up the peak after a flock of mountain sheep,
and there he heard someone shout to him. He knew
it was the friend who had been lost. He shouted back,
but the lost friend began singing and saying: ‘I must
go now, the shining stranger comes and will find me.’

“The young man ran back to the village and told
everyone what he had heard. They were surprised
to hear that a stranger lived on top of the mountain,
but one old villager said: ‘It must be the Man-of-the-Sun-shining-on-the-Mountain-Peaks.’

“So they set out to capture all the sheep that lived
on that mountain, knowing that the Man-of-the-Sun
would try to prevent his sheep from being killed.
Then they would bargain for the life of their friend
in exchange for the sheep.

“Now the sheep that lived on the very peak of the
mountain could see down into the valleys when the
villagers went out to hunt. And they said to the young
man: ‘Your people come again to kill all the sheep.
Tell them, therefore, that if they will throw away
their weapons we will let you go, but if they persist
in killing our flocks we will also kill you.’

“The young captive then went out on the very edge
of the cliff and called down to his people: ‘The sheep
say they will send me back if you will give up the
chase of their flocks. Now you must hear them or
I shall be thrown into the pit of fire.’

“But the young hunter who heard the voice called
back: ‘We must have food. What shall we do without
sheep?’

“Then an old ram came up to the captive and said:
‘Tell them if they must have us for food, they can
at least hang up our sheep-skins on the poles which
hold our heads. If the heads and skins are faced
toward the rising sun our Chief will bring us all
safely home again for another time. If you stick
eagles’ feathers on our skins we can fly from your
village without trouble. You should mount the heads
of grizzly bears on poles and face them toward the
night. For they are wicked animals.’

“So the captive repeated the words of the ram and
when he had finished speaking he was hurried back
inside the mountain for fear his friends would shoot
at and kill the sheep waiting on the peak.

“And the people did try to kill the sheep and recover
their friend, and so many of the flock were
killed and carried away that the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun
came out and spoke.

“‘This is the last time the mountain sheep will
talk with you. If your people will not do as we say,
then I will kill you. But if they will listen to you and
will not make war on the sheep till Fall, when we
always go down from the peaks to graze in the timber
lands below the glacier, then they can come with their
dogs and save you.’

.. ---File: 216.png

“In the Autumn, therefore, the people prepared to
make a great hunt and kill sheep for Winter food.
The sheep were already in the timber lands below the
glacier and when the villagers came up the side of the
mountain the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun sent the captive
down the steep cliff to meet his friends. As he stood
there with horns on his head and a sheep-skin covering
his body, the dogs thought he was a sheep and charged
upon him. But they soon recognised a friend and ran
back to bark for the hunters.

“When the villagers heard the story they promised
they would not kill any sheep that year, but hunt for
grizzlies and deer for food. They broke their spears
and other weapons and threw them over the side of
the cliff, and as they did so the horns fell off and the
sheep-skin disappeared from the young man’s form.
And he stood forth strong and courageous as ever;
his people found he smelled like the things that grow
up on top of the mountains where the wind and sky
and earth are pure and sweet.

“The people were happy and escorted him to the
village. The moment he saw the sheep-skins lying
about he said: ‘Dampen these and hang them up on
poles with feathers stuck to them. Place them facing
the rising sun as I promised the ram we would do.’

“When the skins were ready to mount the young
man painted each face red and stuck eagles’ down on
the backs. As he hung each skin facing the sun he
said: ‘You are in just the position your Chief ordered,
now fly away.’

.. ---File: 217.png

“Early the next morning the fort shook as with
a mighty earth-quake and every piece of flesh that
had been eaten from the sheep-skins was replaced by
new flesh, and as the young chief opened the door
of his wigwam the sheep-skins, now plumped out and
alive again, ran away towards the mountain.

“But, strange to say, the sheep-skins had been so
long with the people that many of them had beards
when their skins filled out again. And many of the
sheep forgot their mountain habits and wandered
about at the foot of the cliffs, so that they became
tame and lived with men ever after.

“After the sheep were sent back to the mountains,
the Man-of-the-Shining-Sun on the Mountain Peak
sent a good spirit to the young chief who had obeyed
and kept his promise. The spirit would be his
strength so that he could do anything he wanted
done.

“At the gift presented to their young chief the
people rejoiced greatly, and made him a pair of snowshoes,
a shaman’s mask, and many bows and arrows.
Then the chief ordered the people to come to him.
They were then at Fort-by-a-small-lake, which was
west of Juneau City, and there they built a big house
for the chief with a good spirit. On the door-posts
of this house they carved the signs of the Great Dipper.
Then the shaman fasted four days and four
nights and when the constellation appeared and blessed
the people, those people were called Wain House
People and have been so called ever since.”

.. ---File: 218.png

“There isn’t much hidden truth in that legend,”
said Zan, who felt disappointed with the story.

“I liked it, all right,” said Elena.

“It’s a queer tale—some of those Indian stories
are so impossible as to be ridiculous,” commented
Hilda.

“In our translations perhaps, but we must remember
that many words in the Eskimo are impossible
to translate properly and still retain beauty and sense.
But the story goes to show that at a remote age the
Alaskan Indians knew and named the ‘Wain,’ even
as the present age does.”

The week-end determined upon for a camp on the
Hudson proved to be perfect October weather, and
great was the buzzing about the gymnasium as the
girls packed their outfits and waited for the three
autos to carry them to the nearest place for the Alpine
camp.

Miss Miller had heard much about the wild grandeur
and beauty of Alpine in the Autumn, and she had pictured
a beautiful place of Nature. But she was disappointed
when the cars stopped on the Fort Lee road
and Jim said:

“This is as far as we can safely go.”

The girls were compelled, therefore, to carry their
outfits across the stubbly fields to reach the woods that
fringed the river cliffs. The chauffeurs gave all the
assistance they could, and when the woods were
reached they left to return home, while the campers
struggled on to find a suitable site.

.. ---File: 219.png

The entire area along the Palisades had been purchased
as city property and was being ploughed over;
diseased timber was cut down, and down timber
chopped up ready to remove, when the Tribe first
caught a glimpse of the place. Wherever a clearing
had been, was now used for piling up refuse, stones,
and brushwood. The day was unusually warm for
the season and the heavy packs which had to be carried
to camp did not help anyone to feel more cheerful.

“Oh, this is awful! I wish I had never come!”
complained Eleanor, stopping every other moment to
gasp and rest.

“It isn’t very alluring, I must admit,” said Miss
Miller, as disappointed as the others.

“Great Caesar’s ghost! *What* are they going to
do with this upside-down area!” finally cried Nita,
as she caught her toe in some half-buried trash
and fell head-long into a rut newly ploughed that
week.

“It’s in the throes of being transformed into a
Park!” laughed Zan.

“Oh no!” called Jane, “this is the evolution of a
dancing floor for Nita.”

After many stumblings and grumblings, the Tribe
reached the cool shadows of the woodland where they
found a plain trail running along the crest of the river
bank. Zan led the way and after they had gone some
distance through the dense woods she came to a
natural clearing that projected far over on the cliff.
She went out there and instantly dropped her pack.

.. ---File: 220.png

“Oh! Come here and see the wonderful view!”
shouted she.

Everyone dropped the tiresome luggage and gladly
ran out to join Zan.

“Ah! This repays us for all the toil and hardships
endured,” exclaimed Miss Miller, with clasped hands,
admiring the view.

From the point where they stood, hundreds of feet
above the majestic Hudson, they could see up and
down the river for miles. The city of Yonkers was
opposite, and the river-craft plying the Hudson provided
interesting scenes to the girls. The gorgeous
colouring of foliage on both sides of the river clothed
the hills and cliffs with beautiful tones made by Nature’s
paint-brush. The air was sweet and warm, and
crickets, some late birds, and insects added their voices
to the general music of the Falling Leaf Moon.

“I wish we could camp near here,” ventured Jane.

“I thought I heard running water before you joined
me. Maybe we can find a brook or spring,” suggested
Zan.

“I heard there was a beautiful bit of water here
called Alpine Falls. If we could only find it!” said
Miss Miller.

“Let’s separate and scout for it. Leave the baggage
here for the time,” responded Zan.

But they had not far to search, for Zan *had* heard
falling water, part way down the steep Palisades, falling
from a great height on a rocky peak to a glen
beneath. The stream that fed the falls had worn a
narrow but deep gully on top of the cliffs, and Miss
Miller was the one to discover it as she sought for a
good camp-site. A rustic bridge spanned the ravine
and a path led a circuitous way down to the ledge
where the Falls formed a foamy pool before running
over its rocky basin to tumble recklessly on down to
join the river.

Miss Miller wished to assure herself that it would
be a safe spot for so many girls to camp, so she followed
the path to the ledge and there saw a rustic
sign nailed to a tree, “Alpine Falls—no camping allowed
on this ledge.”

She climbed back again and called to the Tribe to
join her. They were delighted with the place, and
when Miss Miller told them of the sign they agreed
to camp at the clearing on the point and use the Falls
for cooking and wash water.

“I hope to goodness no one here is a sleep-walker,”
laughed Zan, waving a hand in the direction of the
precipice.

“No one here guilty of that habit!” replied Miss
Miller.

So camp was pitched and preparations for supper
well under way before Jane said: “We forgot to
think of a swim.”

“Too late! Besides, we’ll have to crawl down this
wall and see if there is any sort of a place where we
can get in,” answered Zan.

That evening they enjoyed riddles, charades, and
Nita danced a wild flower dance she had invented.
Miss Miller told them of some of her interesting
experiences while travelling in Egypt and the Old
World, and then to bed.

Early in the morning, Zan turned over in her tiny
cot and yawned. Awake in an instant, she sat up
and sniffed.

“Who’s baking breakfast gems? They smell fine!”

She jumped up and peeped from the flap of the
tent. At a good camp-fire she saw the funniest baker
she ever thought possible to utilise. But no one was
about, so she crept out in her pajamas and grass
slippers to investigate.

On a smooth stick safely driven into the ground
near enough to the camp-fire to warrant a steady heat
reaching it, was twisted a long flat strip of dough.
It began to wind about the stick from the bottom and
ended near the top. As it baked and browned on the
side nearest the fire, a delightful aroma came from it
and permeated the air.

“Well, I never! If this isn’t the most ingenious
device!” murmured Zan, chuckling to herself.

“Watching my bread-twist, Zan?” called a voice,
and Zan looked over to see the Guide coming from
the Falls where she had had a cold bath.

“Yes, but I was wondering how to give the offside
a chance to brown?” replied Zan.

“I’ll show you—simple as anything.” And Miss
Miller merely took hold of the top-end of the stick
and gave it a sharp turn. Naturally the bread turned
with it, and the side that was brown was now facing
away from the fire while the other side was turned
toward it to bake and brown.

Zan laughed and nodded her head approvingly, then
glanced at the other breakfast food cooking. Cereal
was boiling in a pot hanging over the fire where the
bread was baking, and apples were stewing in a saucepan.

“Did we bring apples yesterday?” asked she.

“No, but I found a little old tree down the trail
and most of these were picked up from the ground.
Don’t they smell good?”

“Um-m! Should say they did. But tell me, Miss
Miller—did you stay up all night to work like this?”

“Hardly! I got up an hour ago and mixed the
bread dough, then started the fire. After that I wanted
to see what kind of a country was back there, and I
found the apples. When they were stewing and the
cereal on boiling, I went for my morning wash.”

“I’ll run in and wash and dress, then I’ll be back
to help,” said Zan, starting off for the tent.

Hilda was already up and dressing when Zan ran
in, and both girls chattered so noisily about the bread-twist
that the others awoke and jumped out of bed.

When Zan and Hilda returned to the camp-fire the
Guide asked Hilda to broil the ham while Zan spread
the breakfast cloth.

“What can I do?” asked Jane, coming over.

“You can get a pail of fresh water from the Falls
and fill the cups at each plate,” returned the Guide.

That breakfast was appreciated thoroughly by
everyone, for the bread was hot and crisp and the
ham fried as brown as any ever served by Southern
cook.

“After we finish breakfast and have cleared away
the dishes, we must explore the immediate neighbourhood
to find out if we are on a main trail where
visitors are liable to come and interrupt our peace,”
said Miss Miller.

The camp chores done, the Tribe started for a hike,
intending to circle their camp-site and look for possible
intruders. They had followed the trail but a short
distance before Miss Miller spied some fine white
birches. Some of these had been cut down as being
in the way for the proposed roadways of the park.
The Guide immediately found a use for the large
sheets of bark that were peeling from the trunks.

“Girls, we will postpone our scouting for a time
when there is no important work at hand, but now
do let us collect as much of this splendid birch bark
while it is offered us without damaging standing
trees.”

The Guide then showed the eager Woodcrafters
how to peel the bark to keep it in large sections and
not split it into strips. When everyone was laden with
as much bark as could possibly be carried, they started
for camp and deposited their freight on the ground.

“You need not waste a bit of this bark—even this
bit will make the outside of a dainty pen-wiper. It
can be cut oblong and decorated with gold-paint. With
leaves of felt or flannel between the two sections, and
these tied together with a cord or ribbon, it makes
a pretty memento.”

“I suppose Miss Miller will find endless ways to
use this tinder, just as she did for the sea-shore pebbles
and shells,” remarked May, laughingly.

“I can think of enough ideas right now to keep
you girls busy until Christmas,” rejoined the Guide,
also laughingly.

“For instance?” questioned Zan, curious to hear
the items.

“Well, you can make needle-cases, pin-cushions,
boxes for neckties for the boys, boxes for handkerchiefs
for parents, picture frames, veneering for rustic
furniture, Tally Book covers, camp utensils—such as
dishes, pots, pans, and platters, toilet sets, and many
other things.”

“That’s right! I never thought of using birch
bark for such things,” declared Elena.

“Make a record of it in the Tally!” teased Zan,
for Elena was acquiring the habit of entering everything
in that book.

“If we should find any sweet grass on our walks
while here, we must be sure and gather it, as it is
what is needed to sew up the seams of birch bark. If
the grass is wound about with red linen thread it
makes it much stronger and looks pretty, too. The
bark must be punched with a row of holes so the
grass-binding can pass through without tearing. I
think we have a punch at home such as children use
in a kindergarten school.”

.. ---File: 226.png

“Miss Miller, do you know of other articles to
make out of wild-wood things?” asked May, with
awe at the Guide’s knowledge.

“Well, I think pine cones make the oddest and
prettiest things. The small cones combined with birch
bark are lovely. I have made frames by glueing cones
in patterns on thin bark-covered wooden frames. I
have a large picture of George Washington at home
that I framed in this way years ago. Then, too, I
will show you a work-box that I made for my mother.
It was made of a cigar-box and covered with bark.
On top of the lid, and about the sides, I glued different
kinds of cones and stems. Then I varnished the whole
thing and it was beautiful, in my estimation. It has
lasted to this day, and I made it over five years ago.”

“I waxed some Autumn leaves last year and we
used them over the windows and doors until Christmas
time. Everyone said they looked *so* pretty,” said
Elena.

“Why can’t we gather some of these beautiful leaves
and do the same thing with them, Miss Miller?” asked
Jane, eagerly.

“We must wax them with sperm and iron them
as soon as they are cut from the branches. You see,
the colours remain exactly the same as when they
were gathered if you wax them before they have time
to dry. Whole branches can be waxed this way and
used for decorative purposes. Florists to-day use
great masses of waxed Autumn leaves in their exhibits,
or for back-grounds through the Winter
months. But care must be taken when ironing the
spermaceti over the leaves that the hot iron does not
touch the stem or wood of the branch. If it does,
the leaf will immediately fall off.”

So much time had been taken by the collecting and
descriptions of articles made of birch bark, that it
was noon before anyone dreamed it was more than
ten o’clock.

“Girls, we ought to find a place for a swim and
then have lunch. After that we will seek for a neighbour—if
there are any on this crest,” said Miss
Miller.

But the girls could find no way to get down the steep
cliff-side unless they went a long way back. So they
gave up the hope of a swim that day and started off
to seek for adventure.

They had gone about a mile in a new direction when
one of the girls glimpsed a fine old mansion painted
so nearly like the green and russet colouring of the
woods that it was difficult to distinguish it from its
beautiful setting.

“No wonder we didn’t see it before,” remarked
Zan, gazing at its dark brown shingled sides and
green roof.

“It doesn’t seem occupied. Maybe the people do
not live here,” suggested Elena.

“There’s a rustic fence with a gate. I can see a
notice hanging on the gate—let’s see what it says,”
called Jane, who was in advance of the others.

In a few moments the Band stood reading the sign.
“No trespassing on these grounds under penalty
of the law.”

“We’re not on their land yet, but it’s a shame to
have a fence cut off an adventure right in the middle
of a trail!” pouted Nita.

“It may prove a far more thrilling adventure to sit
here and try to explain the reason for closed shutters
and an abandoned house at this time of year,” ventured
Miss Miller.

Even as she spoke, a gardener came forward along
a side path, and doffed his cap.

“I heared your voices an’ I sure was s’prised to
find a lot of school-girls. You—all seldom come as
far as this. The ‘Annabell’—that’s the launch runnin’
from Yonkers to Alpine and back agin—generally
leaves ’em at the foot of the cliff where they picnic.”

“We saw the sign and wondered if we were trespassing
out here?” replied Miss Miller, in a questioning
voice.

“Not at all! In fack, it would be all right for
ladies to walk through the groun’s when no one’s
home. The family’s gone for the season now. We
have to keep the sign up, just the same, to keep out
the roughs from the city who would destroy the trees
and flowers fer nothin’. Would you like to come
in?” asked the old man, politely.

“I think not, thank you. We are camping down
on the point by the Falls, and this was an afternoon
hike. Now we will go back and hunt for a spot where
we can bathe,” explained the Guide.
“I kin help you there. I haven’t gone down to take
up the two boats yet, or remove the portable bath-house
we have on the beach, an’ you’se are welcome
to use both boats and house if it will accommodate
you.”

“Oh how lovely!” cried the girls, before Miss
Miller could decide what would be the proper thing
to do. So she smiled and thanked the generous
stranger.

“I’ll jes’ run and git the keys to unlock the padlocks
and bring you’se the oars.” So saying, the old
man hurried to the barn back of the mansion.

“Now isn’t this a real adventure?” laughed Miss
Miller.

“And we wouldn’t have had it if there wasn’t a
house and a care-taker here to obstruct the trail!”
added Zan.

It didn’t take the Woodcrafters very long to run
back to camp and find their bathing togs, then on
down the steep path that seemed to drop sheer from
the heights to the river-beach.

The two boats added greatly to the fun of the water-sports.
As every girl could swim a little, and the
water was shallow near the shore, there was no danger
in toppling out of the boat.

There were some glorious battles of “tag” played
with a bag of old cork found on the beach. One girl
would throw the bag and, if it landed in the other
boat, that side was “it” and was supposed to chase
the opponent and try to fling the cork into their boat.

.. ---File: 230.png

When they began to weary of this game, the Guide
announced a swimming contest. Then followed a
diving contest. Lastly a prize was offered to the girl
who could swim under water and bring up from the
river bottom the white flour-bag filled with sand which
Miss Miller had prepared and was ready to drop from
a boat into the clear depths of the river.

The spot designated was about ten feet deep and
about ten yards from shore, but only a few girls could
swim under water and it transpired that only Elizabeth
Remington could swim with her eyes open. Naturally
she was the one to bring up the trophy.

“No wonder we couldn’t do it when we never
tried to keep our eyes open under water—it hurts!”
grumbled Zan, who disliked to be outdone by another
girl.

Miss Miller silently exulted in the success of her
little plan, for she knew Elizabeth could accomplish
the deed and wanted the other girls to see her
do it, thus imbuing them with the desire to try
also.

“Maybe it hurts at first, but I’m going to get that
bag!” declared Jane, plunging in and trying to open
her eyes while swimming under the water.

Others dared the test also, and soon all were sputtering
or laughing at their trials and failures. Finally,
however, each one could brag of being able to keep
eyes open if but for a few seconds while swimming
under water.

As they climbed the cliff again, Miss Miller said:
“I think it is as important to know how to swim
under water with your eyes open to see what you are
meeting, as it is to keep your eyes open when crossing
a thoroughfare.”

“Ha! Discovered in the act!” laughed Zan, pointing
an accusing finger at the Guide.

Miss Miller laughed also and nodded.

“What?” questioned May.

“She did that stunt on purpose to make us keen
to learn the trick,” hastily explained Jane, who saw
the nod and guessed rightly.

That evening while sitting about the camp-fire Miss
Miller suggested a Hallow E’en treat for Zan’s birthday.
She spoke of many ways Woodcrafters could
celebrate, providing the weather was fair for a weekend
camp in the woods.

Then Elena made a suggestion. “I am going to
design and make a Woodcraft article to give our
Chief for a birthday gift.”

“I think that’s great! I’ll do one, too,” added Jane.

“So will I,” echoed Hilda.

“Let’s all make something in Woodcraft for the
party,” said Nita.

“Girls, why not exchange gifts with each other and
make them ourselves in Woodcraft style? We need
not limit the giving to Zan, you know,” suggested the
Guide.

“Gracious me! It will take a pile of presents and
ages to finish them all,” exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur;
“I can’t do it.”

.. ---File: 232.png

“I had no idea of elaborate gifts. For instance,
Nita can dance a new step on the evening of the party,
and teach it to Zan for a present. That will not take
her long nor be much work,” explained Miss Miller.

“Oh, that won’t be a gift!” laughed Nita.

“Why not? Won’t it be the expression of your
desire to give pleasure to another? And won’t Zan
remember your love and generosity that really constitutes
*true* giving? It is a mistake to look at the material
object as the gift, and forget the loving spirit that
formed the thought which expressed itself in the thing.
The material gift is destructible, but the love of a
friend remains forever the true gift.”

“According to Miss Miller, then, we will be silly
to waste time on producing material objects when we
can easily wish our love on anyone,” retorted Eleanor,
in an unpleasant tone.

“Eleanor, when we reach that state of perfect
brotherhood of which Jesus spoke as Heaven, we
shall exchange love and goodness without the material
accompaniment, but while still on earth our limited
vision and other senses require the expression in kind
as we are, to be able to realise the love and desire to
make others happy. That is why we are compelled
to plan and work before our friends know the state
of our feelings. For instance, your words spoken in
tones and expression of human resentment show me
quite plainly that your thought is wrong—that you
rebel in mind against doing what was proposed by
the love of the other girls. But I may not have realised
this state of your thought had you not expressed it—see
what I mean?” said Miss Miller, meaningly.

Eleanor flushed but said nothing. And Zan quickly
said: “Say, girls, we can all win *coups* that will
count if we make some Woodcraft things mentioned
in the Manual!”

“So we can! And each can choose what she likes,”
abetted Jane.

.. ---File: 234.png

CHAPTER TWELVE—A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E’EN
================================================

In the days following the camp-talk, the girls saw
little of each other after school, as they were busy
working on the gifts to be distributed at the Hallow
E’en camp.

Zan had spoken of a pattern Nita had for a dancing
costume, so Nita made the dress of cotton crepe, costing
very little in coin of the realm but much in thought
and work. She disliked sewing and the very fact that
she spent so much time to have the costume neatly
finished spoke highly for her progress in character
as well as of her way of expressing friendship.

For the other girls, Nita wrote out simple directions
to dance improvised steps of old dances. She also
printed simple music fitted to go with the unique steps.

For Miss Miller, she made an artistic programme
for the Gift Ceremony which was explained to her
by Mrs. Remington. This was to be used on the
occasion of the birthday evening.

Hilda naturally followed the line of least resistance
in selecting her gifts. She made candy, baked a cake,
wrote out a tiny Tally Book of recipes for the Guide,
and having packed the candies in empty boxes she
always saved for the purpose, she did each package
up in yellow crêpe paper and tied it with black cord;
on the knot tied on top of the boxes she fastened a
black cardboard bat or a witch with a broom-stick.

Elena, adept with the brush, made individual Tally
Books of brown butcher paper and bound them in
leather with thong strips to fasten them together. She
had secured the small remnants of tanned leather at
a wholesale leather house in the factory-district of
the city. The Tallies were decorated with the name
of the individual artistically printed in India ink, and
the scroll decorations were so wrought that black cats,
witches, pumpkins, broom-sticks, bats, and other suggestive
things of Hallow E’en were featured as a
remembrance of the party.

Jane made a dozen narrow beaded head-bands which
showed in the designs the meaning of Hallow E’en.
They were very beautiful and were sure to be appreciated
by the girls. Besides those for each member
of the Band she made one for Elizabeth Remington,
who was invited to the party, and one for Miss Miller.

Zan made the unique decorations for the party.
Each was wrapped in paper and the name of the girl
printed in plain view. These gifts were original and
diversified in style.

She took empty cereal boxes—square ones as well
as the round cartons used by Quaker Oats—and cut
designs in the sides, having sketched the pattern on
the cardboard before cutting away. A metal clip
as is generally used on Christmas trees to hold the
candles was inserted in the bottom of the box and
fastened to hold a candle when necessary. Picture
wire was fastened at the top to suspend the box.
When this was finished, she blackened the entire box
with cheap shoe-polish to represent wrought iron.

Zan also found two Edam cheese cases about to
be thrown away and these she captured for use. The
contents had all been scraped out, so she cut a hole
in the bottom of the rind for a candle socket, then
cut grotesque mouth, nose, and eyes in the sides.
Wire was used at the top to hang them by and when
finished they looked very funny. These Zan meant
for Miss Miller as a joke.

Her next idea was to collect a number of empty
tin cans and melt off the jagged rims left when the
covers had been cut out. A few perforations were
made in the bottoms for drainage, and the sides
painted an ivory white with black stencilled designs
on them. Some of these were Egyptian figures copied
from ancient friezes shown in a book. When these
cans were filled with soil and a plant inserted, the
effect was very artistic and at little expense.

May Randall, who had won the prize for carpentry,
made small boxes with leather hinges and brass-studded
corners. She burnt designs on covers and
sides and touched up points here and there with red
or blue paint, then varnished the whole surfaces.
These were meant for wampum, badges, or other
Woodcraft trinkets.

Another new member selected pottery for her gifts.
She made original designs and when these were finished
and touched up with black paint and bright
colours they were very artistic.

Another girl made fire-boards. She used the oval
bread-boards sold for five cents each in the five and
ten cent stores. The ovals were sawed in the centre,
giving two sections for each. Four half-ovals were
hinged to a square board so they would fold down
when not in use. The rounded sides were then decorated
with symbols of the Winds and Fire. When
varnished and completed, they proved very fine and
useful.

Frances used the birch bark she had saved from the
Alpine camp. Trays, jewel-boxes, waste-baskets, picture
frames, work-boxes, and other ideas were carried
out. The birch bark was soaked in hot water until
soft, then shaped as desired. The lacing of edges
was made of raffia also softened in water. Where
strong lacing was necessary several strands of raffia
or grass were braided together and used. The sides
of the ornaments made were decorated in sepia paint,
representing forest scenes or Woodcraft designs.

Other unique and lovely ideas were expressed individually
by each girl, so that not only was a great
variety of gifts ready for the event, but the manufacturers
had had experience in handicraft and were
able to count the work for *coups* in Woodcraft.

The time had passed rapidly while everyone was at
work on pleasant and absorbing occupation, and the
last Wednesday preceding the Friday they expected
to start for the Hallow E’en camp had arrived. That
noon, Miss Miller sent word to each girl that an important
letter would be considered at a special meeting
in the gymnasium directly after school in the afternoon.

At such a time no one dreamed of being late or
absent, so Miss Miller was able to read the letter she
had received a short time after classes were dismissed.

----

    “Respected Members of Wako Tribe: I have
    watched with deep interest the manufacturing, by your
    Chief, of certain objects meant to celebrate a Hallow
    E’en party. I also heard that no particular place
    had yet been determined upon for this important
    camp-meeting, so I hasten to solve the problem for
    you.

    “My family and a few friends expect to visit
    Wickeecheokee Farm this week-end and enjoy a nutting
    party in the woods. If Wako Tribe will accept
    our invitation, they can camp on the Bluff for this
    week-end and join us in our out-door fun. Mrs.
    Baker and the other guests will occupy the house, so
    you will not be disturbed in your Woodcraft meetings
    if you desire privacy.

    “The autos will leave our house at four o’clock
    Friday afternoon. Please reply at once.

       | “Cordially yours,
       | 
       | “Frederick Baker, M.D.”

Long before Miss Miller concluded reading this
communication subdued sounds of joy and excitement
were heard from the girls, and the moment it was
finished Jane cried:

“Did you know anything of this, Zan?”

“Cross my heart—not a thing!” declared Zan,
earnestly.

“Did you know, Miss Miller?” questioned several
girls, turning to the Guide.

“Not until Monday, when I was asked over the
’phone what I thought of the plan, and I said it was
splendid.”

“I s’pose we will accept, eh?” asked Anne Mason,
anxiously.

“Accept! Well I guess yes!” retorted Jane.

“Chump Mark for Jenny!” laughed Elena.

“Humph! Slang is imperative under such exciting
conditions!” replied Zan, glancing sympathetically at
Jane.

“Never mind that talk—wasting good time—hurry
up and compose an answer to the doctor’s letter!”
cried Hilda.

“I’ll take it home and hand it to Dad to save time,”
added Zan.

“I suppose Elizabeth will go with us—shall I telephone
Mrs. Remington and find out?” asked the
Guide.

“If Fiji and Bob and Jack Hubert are going—as
I s’pose they are—we ought to invite Fred and Billy
Remington, too,” suggested Zan.

“I think your mother has already attended to that.
We will find out,” and Miss Miller took up the receiver.

.. ---File: 240.png

Then the girls learned that everyone at Mossy Crest
had been invited, but Mrs. Remington had an important
Woodcraft Council that Friday night and
could not accept, but Elizabeth was delighted to go
with Wako Tribe.

“Now that’s settled we can say ‘yes’ to the invitation,”
said Jane, impatiently.

It took but a few moments to write the note to Dr.
Baker and then the girls chattered excitedly again.

“Got everything ready for the Gift Ceremony?”
asked Zan.

“I have,” came from many, and “Most done,”
from others.

And from the Guide: “I followed an original idea
that promises to give some fun but will not be a part
of your ceremony. No need to ask questions of me,
as I do not intend to speak of my secret until the time
arrives.”

Thus warned beforehand, the girls giggled but asked
no questions that would bring down a significant
silence upon them.

Friday was a perfect October day and at four
o’clock sharp the cars filled with happy Woodcrafters
left Dr. Baker’s house. The ride through the lovely
country glowing in Autumn colours, and the mingled
odours of drying hay, woodsy scents, and late flowers
made everyone feel good.

Arrived at Wickeecheokee Farm, Mrs. Baker and
the party of boys were left at the house while the
members of Wako Tribe continued on the road that
ran over the Big Bridge and passed Bill Sherwood’s
cottage. Here the Woodcrafters jumped out and
started for the Bluff that could be plainly seen from
the road.

Bill and his wife, the resident farmers, welcomed
the girls and the former declared: “Looks like the
good old Summertime wid all you’se girls here
again.”

“Chump Mark for your slang, Bill!” laughed Zan.

And genial Bill, not knowing what a Chump Mark
meant, grinned and replied: “Ya’as, Miss San, it
sure was a fine camp!”

That night after dishes were cleared away, the boys
brought the chestnuts they had found and everyone
crowded about the glowing embers of the camp-fire
and roasted the delicious nuts. Then the boys sang
glee-songs and the girls told Folk Stories till time
for bed.

“Now don’t oversleep, girls,” shouted Fiji, as the
boys followed Mrs. Baker away from the Bluff.

“If you’re not ready to start when we call in the
morning, we’ll just go on without you,” added Fred
Remington.

“We want to get bags and *bags* of chestnuts in the
morning, ’cause we’ve got other things to do in the
afternoon for the party to-morrow night,” explained
Jack Hubert.

“Oh say! Don’t talk as if we were the sleepy-heads
that you boys are! Don’t we know *you*!”
scorned Jane, as Zan and she exchanged glances which
said as plain as could be: “Trying to pose with their
sisters present!”

And so it proved. The girls were ready and impatiently
calling or signalling before the boys appeared
on the trail coming through the woods from
the farm-house.

That morning a great harvest of hickory nuts and
chestnuts was gathered and by the time the hunters
were back at camp they were half-famished from the
crisp, cold air and bracing exercise.

Fiji had seen some rabbits during the morning, and
the moment he was at the house began:

“Mumsie, Fred brought his rifle and we’re going
hunting this afternoon. The other little boys can do
that work for you.”

“Indeed you’re not! Rifle or no rifle, Fred is my
guest and he will not use the fire-arm while I have
anything to do about it.”

“Oh pshaw, Mum! He knows everything about
a gun! He and I won’t go near anyone else, and you
know you can trust *me*!” coaxed Fiji.

“Fred, get the rifle for me, please. I will return
it when we get back to the city. I know too much
about promises to be careful. I think it is perfectly
safe for you to use the gun when you are with experienced
hunters or alone, but not with a party of
boys who never held a rifle in proper position before.
This Winter I propose having the boys take lessons
in a shooting gallery I know of, and then it will be
different.”

.. ---File: 243.png

The wild dreams of bringing a deer or grizzly bear
to camp, or at least a small harmless rabbit, vanished
for Fiji. Consequently, he was moody when the other
boys started out to gather the long creepers and
branches of brilliant Autumn leaves meant to decorate
the house for the evening’s entertainment.

But the effect of invigorating air and scrambling
over ledges of rock could not long keep anyone in a
moody or sulky spell, and Fiji was the liveliest of the
lively boys before he returned home laden with the
Fall harvest of the woods.

Mrs. Baker was invited to attend the afternoon
Birthday Council, and at three o’clock the Chief
opened the meeting with the usual prayer and other
ceremonies. After Tally Reports were read, and
*coups* awarded to some of the new members and a
few of the old ones of the Band, the feature of the
Council began.

“O Chief!” commenced the Guide, standing and
saluting Zan. “I suggest that we perform the Gift
Ceremony of the Zuñi Indians in distributing our
gifts. Mrs. Remington loaned me the sacred otter
skin for this purpose and Elizabeth knows the rite by
heart, so I propose that she act the principal part with
Zan as second.”

“How!” approved the Council members, so the
Chief took up the tomtom.

Sitting at one side of the Circle, dressed in her ceremonial
robes, Zan beat the tomtom while Elizabeth,
also gorgeously arrayed in beaded costume, representing
Wako Tribe for that time, entered the Ring hop-stepping,
and followed by the other members. As
each girl passed the tomtom she paid tribute to the
sacred instrument by an obeisance to the East for
reverence, to the South, playfully, to the West with
awe, and to the North for protection from all cold.
Then they all sat in their places about the Council Fire
to hear the Guide speak.

“To-day the braves of Wako Tribe won a great
victory. The warriors of another Tribe, dwelling in
the camp made by White Men, over-slept and were
late on the war-path. But my Braves, led by our
great Chief, were ready with paint and weapons to
fight the as yet unseen enemy.

“With bags and baskets, we followed the trail which
led to the sometime hidden chestnuts, or again some
were found lying in ambush in the long wild grass.
Many captives were made to bring back to camp for
the fire and feast which celebrate the victory to-night.
Hidden rascals, so surrounded by the sharp arrow
points sticking from the chestnut burrs that we had
many a finger-wound from them, were finally scalped—their
burrs cracked open and the prisoners taken
away.

“Some of our warriors were struck on the head
by falling shells from hickory trees where the nuts
had grown and awaited this opportunity to drive away
assailants. But with the very act of striking us with
shells, they also burst open, fell to earth, and thus
were captured.

.. ---File: 245.png

“We left many empty worthless shells on the battlefield,
but the prisoners shall be roasted at our war-dance
to-night!”

As the Guide sat down a chorus of laughing
“How’s!” came from the girls for the extemporaneous
war-talk.

At a signal sounded on the tomtom, Elizabeth came
from the shelter of a huge tree-trunk and entered the
Council Ring in solemn manner. She carried the
Ceremonial Blanket which was upheld high with both
hands in front of her. This blanket was spread out
upon the ground, the four corners being four-square
to the four imaginary corners of the earth and the
four winds.

Standing on the rear edge of the blanket, Elizabeth
bowed to the East, then to the South, next to the
West, and fourth to the North; last, to Wakanda and
to Maka Ina.

She then took the peace-pipe from the Chief and
wafted its smoke to the four winds and placed the
pipe on the blanket parallel to its front edge near
the circle of Woodcrafters, and near the front edge
of the blanket.

The Chief then brought the Sacred Otter Skin and
placed it over Elizabeth’s out-stretched hands. This
was presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, then a
magic circle was woven all about the outside of the
blanket to ward off all evil spirits.

This motion was done by waving the otter skin, as
if swimming, holding it about two feet above the
ground, being careful to keep the skin extended horizontally
on top of the hands, which were held about
eighteen inches apart. The circle woven, the otter
skin was placed upon the blanket next to the pipe and
parallel with it.

The Chief then brought and presented to Elizabeth
the bowl of Sacred Corn Meal. This was lifted up
and presented to Wakanda and Maka Ina, then corn
meal was sprinkled on the pipe and otter skin, Elizabeth
kneeling on the blanket and moving on her knees
to accomplish this ceremony.

“This magic circle now woven and complete may
not be crossed by anyone holding evil intentions,” said
Elizabeth solemnly.

Now came the ceremony of distributing the gifts
which were brought in baskets or upon large grass
mats and left near the blanket where the Chief could
reach them. As each gift was taken up, the Chief
handed it to Elizabeth who called out the name written
on the package. Then the receiver came up, bowed
low before the blanket, and received the gift. It was
then opened, admired, and gratefully acknowledged,
before the recipient stepped backward to her seat in
the Circle.

When all the gifts were bestowed, Elizabeth bowed
and lifted the sacred otter skin and placed it across
the bowl of corn meal. Next the pipe was taken up
and laid upon the otter skin and then all three were
lifted in both hands and held high above her head as
she moved backward on her knees to the rear edge
of the blanket. There she rose to her feet and departed
with the bowl, otter skin, and pipe.

After many exclamations of delight, surprise, and
thanks to the girls who had worked so well on the
gifts, it was found that not one gift had been bestowed
by Miss Miller. This was the proper time for the
Guide to speak.

“O Chief! If you and Elizabeth will accompany
me to yon cabin I will see that my share of the entertainment
is finished.”

Wonderingly, the two girls went with the Guide
and carried many suggestive packages from the cabin
to the Council Ring. Miss Miller carried an enormous
bundle, but no one could gain the slightest hint of its
contents.

Laughing at the curious faces of the girls watching
as the strings were cut, the Guide unwrapped a red,
white, and blue paper object that had a long bamboo
handle protruding from its midst of rioting
colours.

“O Brother Warriors, what can it be?” laughed
Zan, looking at the girls.

“O Chief, no one but Wakanda can answer that
question!” retorted Jane, creating a general laugh at
her irreverent reply.

“But Wakanda gave me the idea to make this and
I hold the power to explain it,” said Miss Miller, rebukingly,
even as she smiled at Jane’s retort.

As she spoke she pushed down upon a wire and as
the patriotic colours spread out lo! there appeared
a giant umbrella in the American colours. The bamboo
pole was the centre-rod and handle.

“Goodness gracious me!” exclaimed Zan. “How
under the sun did you ever get it so large and to work
so easy?”

“I took an ancient umbrella for a foundation and
then bound on the extra reeds to the original ribs to
make it longer and larger all round. Then I glued the
paper on the tops,” explained the Guide.

“It makes a great American shade for us,” giggled
Elena.

“Ought to be labelled ‘Made in America,’” added
Jane.

“But what I want to know is ‘Why-for and Where-for?’”
said Nita.

“I see that no one suspects the plot, so I will have
to tell,” laughed Miss Miller, sticking the bamboo
handle in a wooden block having a clamp to hold it
upright—something like the tree holders at Christmas
time. But this holder permitted the upper section of
the block to swing around on a pivot fastened to the
lower section-block.

When the handle was securely fastened Miss Miller
gave the huge umbrella a twirl to see if it worked
well, and still the girls stood wondering what it all
was for.

“Now get busy, girls, and hand me the packages
while I tie them on these sticks,” advised the Guide,
attaching a small package as she spoke.

“The heavy ones that will drag the ribs down too
far we will spread on the grass and tie a card with
the name of the owner on the stick instead of the
bundle itself,” continued Miss Miller, as a large box
was handed her.

With many hands to help, the packages were soon
in place, and then the Guide said:

“We will all stand in a circle about the umbrella
and as I swing it about we sing:

   | “Merrily in this Council Ring,
   | Dancing gayly as we sing,
   | What will this umbrella bring
   | When we change to hippety-hop
   | And our Chief calls out to stop?”

“We can dance any step we like, but the moment
I call out ‘Change!’ you all have to change your steps
to a hippety-hop step; then when Zan calls out ‘Stop’
you have to stop short where you are. I will call a
name from my list and whoever is opposite that name
removes it from the umbrella. If it happens to belong
to the one removing it from the stick, well and good,
but if the one who opens it is not the owner, she holds
it up to view and calls out the name of the owner. At
the same time she starts to run around the ring on
the *outside*, and the owner to whom the package belongs
must catch her. If she has not caught her in
three rounds about the ring, the hunter pays a forfeit
to secure the prize. At the end of our game we will
redeem the forfeits.”

“What an original game!” exclaimed May.

.. ---File: 250.png

“But so childish!” complained Eleanor.

“Pity we haven’t more of the simple childlike pleasures,”
added Mrs. Baker, who had overheard the
remark.

“Now then, girls—ready?” called the Guide, ignoring
the criticism from Eleanor.

“Yes—all ready!” called most of the girls.

The umbrella was given a swift twirl and it spun
around while the girls sang the rollicking verse, but
Zan forgot to call “Change,” so they concluded the
song and the umbrella still whirled, the paper packages
flying out to the extreme end of the strings.

Everyone jeered at Zan for forgetting to call, and
she promised to do better next time. “I only did it
that time to give you girls practise,” said she, laughingly.

The chorus of denials might have deafened everyone
had not the Guide shouted: “Now, once again,
girls! If Zan makes a second mistake she pays two
forfeits!”

“How! How!” followed this agreeable statement,
and the umbrella whirled again.

“Change!” shouted Zan at the word, and some of
the girls did change the step correctly while others
were in doubt.

“Here—a forfeit from each one of you!” demanded
Zan, and the punishment made the game more
exciting.

“The next time the same one mistakes she pays
double!” added Zan, placing the forfeits in a basket.
But the girls were beginning to learn how it was
played, and the first game ended with everyone laughing
or jesting. Miss Miller had Mrs. Baker take a
paper from a bag and read out a name.

“Elena Marsh,” read Mrs. Baker.

Everyone looked eagerly at the laden stick opposite
her, and Jane called: “Here it is, in front of me.”

“Jane removes it and runs about the circle with
Elena after her,” added Miss Miller.

Twice around the ring flew Jane, and Elena, fleet-footed,
after her, until in the third round the pursuer
caught up and held her captive.

Great interest was shown as Elena opened the package
and showed a small box of French pastels.

“Oh!” sighed she in ecstasy, “I’ve wanted one of
these ever since I was born!”

Everyone laughed and Zan added: “I bet you
daubed and designed through many incarnations before
this present one.”

“Come ahead, girls! I want to see if Miss Miller
gave me a new riding-habit—I want one badly!”
called Jane.

So with laughing and merriment, the second whirl
began.

It happened to be Edith Remington’s name that was
chosen, and the package stopped directly opposite the
child, so with trembling fingers she untied the string
and found a box of water-colours and all the accessories
to work with.

“Oh, Miss Miller, I’m so much obliged to you!”
exclaimed the delighted little girl, making a quaint
curtsey.

The game continued, some claimants having to pay
forfeits and some winning the award, until all were
called out. The gifts were very appropriate for each
one and afforded much pleasure; but Zan had a
grievance.

“Miss Miller, I think you’re real mean not to give
us a chance to have something on the umbrella for
you, too.”

“That wasn’t my fault, Zan. I thought of the
umbrella and made it, but your mother insisted upon
buying the gifts. She brought them to the farm all
wrapped and ready to distribute.”

“It isn’t like mother to forget anyone—Mumsie,
where is Miss Miller’s gift?” shouted Zan, as she
saw her mother returning from the cabin.

“Right here! It was so heavy it would have broken
down the carefully built up umbrella, so I left it for
the last gift.”

The large flat package was handed to the Guide,
who took it with amazement in her eyes, for she had
not expected anything. Midst the laughter of her
girls, the Guide carried the heavy parcel to the rustic
table and began opening the outside paper.

She found another well-tied paper covering within
and tried to unknot the string. But it had to be cut,
as it was so twisted and bound about the package.

Inside this wrapper was still another, and Mrs.
Baker cried: “That Fiji! I told him to wrap the
box up carefully and I shouldn’t wonder but what he
used as many papers as he does on April Fool’s
Day!”

After more than a dozen wrappers, each tied well
and knotted with heavy twine, had been removed, the
last paper was cut away. The Guide took out a
japanned-tin box and upon opening it the Woodcrafters
all said “Ah!”

There was a complete set of pyrography tools, a
roll of stencilled Woodcraft designs (made by Elizabeth
Remington), and transfer paper, copying inks,
etc.

“Not an item forgotten—even a bottle of alcohol
for the fuel!” cried Miss Miller, too surprised to
remember to thank Mrs. Baker.

The girls watched and smiled in sympathy, and
suddenly, as the Guide remembered she had not expressed
her gratitude, they all burst out laughing at
her expense.

After many apologies and profuse thanks, she
added: “Such a teacher of morals and manners to
these girls!”

As usual, Nita was called upon to dance and the
Storm Cloud was done so gracefully by her that the
audience said she should be given an extra dish of
ice-cream for dessert that night.

When the forfeits had been paid off it was time
to cook camp-supper. Before they were ready to sit
and sup, however, the boys were heard shouting in
the woods, and Miss Miller said:

.. ---File: 254.png

“Suppose we invite the boys to supper, as we are
going to be their guests to-night at the house?”

A merry group sat about the great flat rock that
evening while Mrs. Baker and the Guide waited
on the hungry Woodcrafters. The girls told about
the umbrella and the boys of their mountain
hike.

The dishes cleared away, they all marched through
the woods in the gloaming, and reached the house
ready for more sport. Many exclamations of surprise
and admiration came from the girls as they saw the
way the boys had spent their afternoon.

Brightly coloured foliage festooned the doors, window-casings,
and pictures of the large living-room.
Pumpkins shed subdued light from the candles within
their grinning faces. Red peppers, golden corn on
stalks, and tall grasses formed decorations in the
corners of the room. Black paper witches, bats, and
yowling cats swung from invisible threads from the
beams of the ceiling, and many other Hallow E’en
ideas were carried out.

Regular Hallow E’en games were played at first,
then Fred called for the Jack Horner Pie he had spied
in the kitchen.

“Well, then, help me carry it in,” laughed Mrs.
Baker.

Shortly they were seen carrying in the galvanized
wash-tub that had been used for the pie-tin. A brown
pie-crust fitted over the top of it, but no one knew
what was under the crust.
“How under the sun did you bake it?” wondered
Zan.

“That’s a culinary secret!” laughed Mrs. Baker.

“Tell us, so we can enter the recipe in the Tally,”
replied Elena, also laughing.

“I made the pastry rather moist and rolled it out
into a great sheet and placed it on the wooden bread-board.
The oven was very hot and after the sheet
of dough had been in it a few moments it baked and
browned enough to spread it over the tub. I pinched
down the edges to the tin, and there you are! Not
to be eaten, however, for you will find it too
pasty.”

The strings that came up through the pie-crust led
to objects hidden in the tub of flour. And as each
player took a string to hold as his prize, every string
was soon claimed. When the crust was broken and
the prizes drawn from the flour, the players found
many funny gifts. Great was the Bedlam when tin
horns, rattles, and “crackers” began sounding everywhere.

The young folks then played other games and ended
with a peanut hunt that led and misled many hunters
to every corner of the house in search of a hidden
peanut.

“It must be time for refreshments, Mumsie,” said
Bob, at last.

“All right, Son, call them all to the feast,” laughed
Mrs. Baker.

As the group of merry-makers sat about the room
munching sandwiches, Jane said, “Mrs. Baker, tell
us how you made these delicious fillings. We’ll write
it down and make some too.”

“I took a can of salmon and chopped it well with
soft cream cheese. This I did at home and brought
it here in a glass jar. It is very good on butter-thins,
as you just said.

“The speckled sandwich-fillings are made of cream
cheese, chopped olives, a bit of pimento, and seasoning.
Thin slices of dark rye bread are best for this
filling.

“Of course, you all know the walnut and fig filling—you
simply chop nuts with cream cheese for the first
kind, and chop figs, peanut butter, and a bit of rich
cream for the second kind.” As Mrs. Baker concluded,
another girl called out:

“Tell us how you made this lemonade! I never
tasted better.”

“I ran the lemon peel through a meat-chopper with
the lemon pulp. I use about one-quarter peel and the
pulp of one lemon to the juice of every three lemons.
If the juice of one orange and a lime is
added to every ten lemons, it flavours the product
much better. Sometimes a bit of Maraschino adds a
peculiar flavour, but we never use it for the children.”

The party ended with fortune-telling, with apple-parings,
sailing walnut shells across the tub of water,
risking noses and teeth at biting on swinging apples,
and other familiar games.

.. ---File: 257.png

The next day being Sunday, the boys and girls
hiked over the mountain-side and Zan pointed out to
the others the place where the snake frightened the
girls that Summer, and the road where Nita was
caught in a thunder-storm.

.. ---File: 258.png

CHAPTER THIRTEEN—INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT
===============================================

November ushered itself in with cold and
penetrating fogs, so that the girls found it
pleasanter to hold meetings at each other’s houses or
in the gymnasium, instead of out-of-doors. At the
indoor meetings they learned the application of Woodcraft
ideas and principles to meet their needs of everyday
life.

Miss Miller had them take up knitting for the
soldiers and required them to do a certain stint every
day. They also completed the bead bandings for their
ceremonial costumes. Nita loaned the Guide the pattern
for a dancing costume and each girl cut out, fitted,
and made, of cheap cotton crêpe bloomers, blouse, and
skirt for dancing.

Besides designing belts, banding, and costumes, the
girls began regular weekly lessons with Elizabeth as
teacher, in sketching and designing. Elizabeth attended
a New York School of Design and could tell
the girls whatever she had learned. Many pretty patterns
in cross-stitch and other work were thus made
and applied to use.

.. figure:: images/wood-260.jpg
   :align: center

   ZAN’S CEREMONIAL COSTUME.

“I’m going to ask Dad to send me to school next
Winter,” declared Jane, who enjoyed the work immensely.

“And Elena, Nita, and May ought to go, too,”
added Miss Miller, admiring the dainty work done
by these girls.

One afternoon the Guide said: “Girls, have any
of you entered blue prints in your Tally Books?”

No one had, so she added: “Just as soon as Spring
comes with its first flowers, I want you to start a blue
print album. I think it is one of the most interesting
and instructive of pursuits. I have a book that I completed
during a trip through the Canadian Northwest,
and I wouldn’t sell those blue prints for any price—they
are so beautiful and the wild flowers so interesting.”

The Saturdays during November were spent in New
York, the Guide taking the girls to the splendid public
libraries; lectures illustrated with motion pictures were
given by white men who had spent many years with
the Indians; and the unusual series of talks given at
the Museum on Central Park West and 79th Street
proved most interesting. Here also the Woodcrafters
saw life-sized groups of Indians in wax, the individual
costumes and customs of each Tribe being faithfully
depicted by the clothes, items of camping outfits, and
other things. In these exhibitions the girls found
many suggestions that they could apply to pottery
work, bead work, and other things pertaining to Indian
life.

One afternoon, while visiting the large library on
the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, Miss
Miller said: “Who knows where the first public
library was founded—and when?”

No one knew, so the Guide told them.

“The first on record—there may have been private
collections then as now, but it was not recorded—was
founded at Athens by Hipparchus in
526 B. C.

“The second of note was founded at Alexandria
by Ptolemy Philadelphus, but it was burnt when Julius
Caesar set fire to Alexandria in 47 B. C. It is said
that 400,000 rare and valuable books were destroyed
in that disaster.

“A second library was formed from the remains
of the books in this first one, and this second was
reputed to have held over 700,000 volumes, but this
was captured by the Saracens who used the books for
fuel instead of working to gather wood.

“In 1446 A. D. the next large library was formed
and from that time on collections of important books
were made and offered to the public for free
use.”

Such comments by Miss Miller always made the
visits to public buildings very interesting to the girls,
who acquired a general knowledge of things worth
knowing in this manner.

One Saturday before the weather was too cold, they
all went to Bedloe’s Island, now renamed Liberty
Island, in New York Harbour. Here they climbed the
endless round of narrow iron steps until they regretted
having started the ascent. But there was no turning
back, as the descent was on the other side and no one
could go down when once started up.

Having wearily climbed to the crown of the head in
the Liberty Goddess Statue, they were disappointed
at not finding the view any better than that seen from
the balcony where the elevator stopped, but which was
wonderful from that vantage point. From the Statue
they walked about the Island and then took the small
boat back to Battery Park.

The Aquarium was visited next, and here the girls
found many odd and interesting fish. One funny fish,
grey in colour and about fifteen inches in length, kept
bumping his nose against the glass side as if to come
through. At each bump he slid back in the water
and tried again.

“‘Constant dripping wears the rock away,’” said
Zan, watching him come back again and again to
strike the glass.

“He is only playing tag with his nose,” explained
Jane.

“But why should he always keep his mouth open
half-way, as if he had difficulty in breathing?” asked
Nita.

“Maybe he has—that constant bumping on his nose
will cause a swelling and close up the nostrils,” ventured
Elena.

“Oh, I have it!” cried Zan, nodding her head
vigourously. “The poor thing has asthma from that
damp atmosphere! He gasps through his open mouth
and tries to break down the screen of glass to get
more air!”

This explanation brought a laugh not only from
the girls who crowded about the glass case, but from
some observers who also stood watching the queer
fish.

Just before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Remington invited
Wickeecheokee Band to spend the week-end in camp
in the woods back of the house. Fred’s Tribe would
also camp there, and it was thought a good time to
hold contests between the boys and the girls.

The girls hailed the treat with many varied expressions,
but the days immediately preceding the
Holidays grew so cold that most mothers objected
to having the girls sleep out in the open.

“They can camp in the Council House,” said Mrs.
Remington over the telephone, when Miss Miller told
her of the trouble.

“Oh, yes, yes!” cried everyone at that.

Beaded Ceremonial Costumes were finished but had
not yet had an opportunity to be worn, so these were
packed in the suit-cases with head-bands, moccasins,
*coup*-sticks, and many other fine articles of Indian
costume.

Wednesday was a beautiful day but so cold that
Dr. Baker said he was relieved to know the girls would
be in the Council House at night. The boys refused
to be so molly-coddled, they averred, and so they
camped out in the woods. However, Mrs. Remington
whispered to the girls the next morning that Fred had
made use of two Sibley stoves brought from Maine
for camp use.

“There will be skating on the lake if we have another
day and night of this cold,” said Mr. Remington,
rubbing his ears to keep up the circulation as he
stood in front of the Council House early Thursday
morning.

“I say, girls! Want your picture took? Get
into your robes and pose out in the sun, if you
do!” shouted Elizabeth, from the porch of the
house.

It did not take long for the Woodcrafters to change
to their Woodcraft costumes and when they ran over
to the group of pine trees where Elizabeth stood waiting,
they found the boys had decorated the place with
totems, shields, and *coup*-sticks to create a genuine
Woodcraft atmosphere.

Zan’s costume, with its picturisation of the camp
on the farm, was pronounced the handsomest of all,
although Elena’s ran a close second. So these two
girls were selected for individual pictures which could
be used in the Tally Book of the Tribe. Zan held
Elizabeth’s *coup*-stick, her own only having a few
feathers on it, and the former being well-decorated
by marks of achievement, for Elizabeth was a zealous
Woodcrafter.

Thanksgiving dinner was not to be served until four
that afternoon, and it was only ten when many of
the campers began to wish it was late afternoon. Mrs.
Remington was a perfect hostess and, having five
healthy children, she suspected the gnawings under
many belts. Hence her next suggestion:

“Fred, why don’t you boys invite the girls to dinner
at your camp in the woods?”

“How!” eagerly chorused the girls.

“Why, so we will, if the girls will bring the grub
over from the barn. We haven’t enough to go around
such a crowd.”

Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Remington added:
“If I was a Black Bear, I’d scout for victuals and not
expect the squaws to bring their own feast!”

Fred understood his mother only too well, and he
quickly took the hint, calling Fiji to help him. In
another moment the two had disappeared in the woods
and were seen no more for some time. The others
walked slowly back to the Council House to change
the beaded costumes to camp clothes again.

About the time the girls were ready to follow the
hosts to the camp in the woods, Fred and Fiji were
seen crossing the field, carrying heavy baskets on their
arms and bags suspended over their shoulders.

“They must have scouted, Mother!” laughed Mr.
Remington.

And “mother” nodded understandingly and laughed
also.

At camp the Woodcrafters found Fred and Fiji
unpacking boiled ham, potatoes, pickles and preserves,
bread, a pie, and other edibles. In the bag that had
been slung over Fiji’s back was a stone crock filled
with delicious cookies still warm.

.. ---File: 267.png

“There girls, the cookies will hold you together
while we roast potatoes and get the lunch ready,” said
Fred.

“Um-m! I want this recipe from someone to put
in our book. These are the best cookies I ever tasted,”
said Elena.

“Someone can tell you the recipe right now, Elena.
It happens to be my own that Mrs. Remington tried,”
laughed Miss Miller.

“Tell us, then, while I write it down,” urged Elena,
with a pencil and scrap of paper ready for use.

“To one-half cup of butter I use one-half cup of
lard and one-half cup of sugar. Two eggs, one level
tablespoon each of ginger, cinnamon, and soda, with
enough flour to roll out the dough easily.

“Cream the butter and lard together first, then add
the sugar gradually. When the eggs are well beaten
I add them. The spices and soda are mixed with two
cups of flour and sifted into the batter. I use enough
flour so the dough will roll out well. Cut them with
a biscuit cutter and bake in a quick oven. Last of all,
lock safely away in a secret vault where children cannot
follow the scent and eat them up before the cook
has washed the tins that the cookies were baked
in.”

The girls laughed at the last part of the recipe and
Fred said it was the most important if cookies were
to be kept on hand.

After the stolen provender was thoroughly enjoyed
by the hosts and guests in camp, the boys entertained
the girls with relay races, Deer Hunts, Bat Ball, and
a Bear Spearing Contest.

Just as the bear was killed by Fred, the gong
sounded from the house calling the people to the
Thanksgiving Dinner—the greatest contest of the day,
Billy said.

The wide rear verandah of the Remington house
was inclosed in glass in the Winter, and being ten
feet wide and extending across the entire back of the
house, it afforded an excellent place for the dinner.
The table, made of four fifteen-inch-wide planks
eighteen feet in length, placed on wooden horses, was
covered with two long table-cloths. Benches made of
wide planks also resting on boxes provided enough
seats for all.

Mose, the family fixture who plays so important a
rôle in the “Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island” (the
island being the Remingtons’ Summer resort off the
coast of Maine), bossed the serving of the dinner.
He had been given charge of Mary, the upstairs girl,
and Katy the kitchen maid, and these, with Anna
the governess, proved efficient to wait on the hungry
horde of children.

Strange, however, that after that dinner not one
of the Woodcrafters felt like dancing an Indian War
Dance to entertain others!

During the night the temperature grew warmer and
the sky clouded over with snow-clouds. Early Friday
morning a very light snow began falling, but grew
heavier until noon, when great gusts of snow were
swept across the valley at every fresh hurricane of
wind. All day Friday and most of Friday night, the
snow continued falling, but the Woodcrafters cared
little about that when they were having such a jolly
time indoors. They were entertaining the Black Bears
in the Council House, and many a wild shout echoed
up through the loft, as a Bear caught a Wako Triber
in a war-dance.

Before ten o’clock the boys were summoned to go
to camp, and much against their inclinations to leave
the cosy fire in the chimney-place of the Council
House, they started out in the driving snow
to plough over the field to their cold and cheerless
camp.

In the early morning, however, the sun sparkled on
the glistening snow and the Woodcraft girls were
awakened by a fusillade of snow-balls striking the
side of the barn, some of the soft snow falling through
the opened windows and scattering over the faces of
the sleepy girls.

They were soon up and dressed and out-doors to
return the cold welcome given by the Black Bears.
The snow-balls flew back and forth rapidly, until Fred
had an idea.

“I say! What’s the matter with having a regular
fight! Build a fort and choose up sides?”

“Down on the flats by the road-side!” added Billy,
pointing to the low-land that fronted the lawns by the
private road.

“Just the thing!” exclaimed Fiji.

.. ---File: 270.png

“Will you girls help?” asked Jack Hubert.

The girls looked at the Guide for approval, and she,
seeing the gleam of battle shining from those many
eyes, laughed.

“No ice to be packed in the balls, remember!”
warned the Guide, trying to be severe.

“Of course not!” agreed Bobby Baker.

“And no hard-packed snow, either. Just the soft
feathery kind that gets down your back and blinds
your eyes,” added Miss Miller, knowing well how to
disguise her advice and make it sound enticing to
the boys.

It took full two hours to complete the great fort
and build refuges like pockets in the snow-wall, where
daring scouts venturing away from the army could
find temporary protection. While the boys were building
the fort the girls rolled great piles of snow ammunition
for both sides to use when the battle should
rage.

Then came the commandeering of the two sides.
Fred gallantly offered his services to Wako Tribe,
while Fiji Baker undertook to command the boys’ side.
As there were but eleven girls and seventeen boys,
some of the surplus male contingent had to come over
to join the girls’ side.

Then began preliminary tactics, followed by an engagement
of the main armies. This was followed by
the most active fighters running back and forth to
plant a well-aimed shot whenever they discovered an
unprotected head or body for a target.
The battle waged for more than an hour, first one
side winning a victory, then the other side, but at
last Fiji’s side showed signs of defeat, and soon was
retreating at full speed. The shots fell so fast and
furious at that, that the boys were almost routed when
Fiji made a grand rally.

To have it said that a lot of girls were victorious
over the Black Bears or Grey Foxes was not to be
thought of, so the General spurred his fighters back
again to try and win the lost trench, but Fred was
a fine general, too, and he was quick to take advantage
of the other’s mistake in leaving the protection of the
fort.

In less than half an hour’s time after Fiji rallied
his men, the fort was demolished, most of Fiji’s men
were prisoners, and the girls were triumphant! The
captives then had to submit to having their faces well
washed in the soft cold snow.

That was a glorious day and one to be remembered,
for not only were merry faces as red as Baldwin apples
and hands swollen and purple from handling much
snow, but the Remington larder suffered from such
secret raids that the cook finally stumped up to the
library to “give notice.”

Mose intercepted her, however, and tried to pacify
her with the news that the visitors would soon go
home, and “anyway, Thanksgivin’ onny comes once
a year, Maria!”

“Agh! G’wan! Don’t Oi know this fam’ly? It’s
foriver havin’ comp’ny an’ eatin’ me out av iverything
Oi cook! It’s cook, *cook*, *COOK* aul the toime an’
niver a crumb to eat!” declared Maria.

“But just think, Maria, how soon this thing will
have to stop. The high cost of livin’ and the laws
made by the President won’t let us eat much anny
more, an’ you’ll have an easy time, then,” said Mose,
trying to placate the angry cook.

“An’ it’s good wages an’ plenty of my friends to
visit me to tay,” said Maria, thoughtfully, so Mose
knew he had won a different kind of battle than the
one fought on the Flats with snow.

After a red-hot luncheon that partly thawed out
the half-frozen warriors, Mrs. Remington asked if
they would like to take a sleigh-ride in a great farmer’s
sleigh that afternoon. The man called twice a week
to deliver eggs, butter, and chickens from his farm
some miles in the country, and would be glad to have
the extra fee offered for driving a party of young
folks on a joy-ride.

That evening was spent in quiet ways, as everyone
felt weary and ready for bed the moment it could
reasonably be suggested.

The rest of the visit was devoted to indoor pastimes,
as a thaw set in and made the ground too wet and
muddy for any games or fun on the lawn.

Then came the time for good-byes and the Woodcrafters
were carried away, leaving a sense of loneliness
with the family where they had had such a good
time.

December came in with much wind and snow so
that all hope of week-end camps was at low ebb. But
the girls found plenty of work to do and the applicants
for the second Band were ready to qualify, and attention
had to be paid to this important matter.

Most of the girls applying for membership were
so anxious to belong to Wako Tribe that it seemed
hard to deny any one of them. But the rules in the
Manual were to be followed and some had to be left
out. Hence the choosing of the crowd of girls that
had asked for admission was to be done by drawing
lots.

The names of the girls were written on slips of
paper and these were folded up into small cubes, then
shaken well in a covered tin. The Guide drew forth
the first ten papers and these were the ones drawn
to form the second Band—Suwanee, it was called.

The ten girls selected were delighted, but the others
half cried with bitter disappointment, so that the Guide
agreed to ask Mrs. Baker to start a new Band for them
which would eventually grow into a Tribe of its own.
And this promise soothed the wounded hearts of the
unfortunate ones.

Although the improvement in Eleanor Wilbur had
been so slow that none of her daily associates had
noticed it, still it was constantly going on, so that when
Ethel Clifford returned from the Californian trip she
exclaimed at the great change in the girl.

“Why, Miss Miller, it doesn’t seem possible!
Really, can’t you see the improvement?” said the girl.

“Now that you mention some small things, I can
see where she has been helped, but I almost gave up
in despair several times, and I’d rather you would not
let her hear of this conversation as she is not ‘out
of the woods’ yet, by any means,” said Miss Miller.

Nevertheless, it was as Ethel had said: there was
a change for the higher and better life that was making
an impression in Eleanor’s character and desires, and
these in time would overcome her former weaknesses.

That Winter, needle-craft was taken up and many
practical as well as beautiful things were made by the
girls. The Christmas-tide gave each one plenty to do,
as they planned to make all their gifts this year with
as little cost in money as possible. And these gifts
were all beautiful and artistic, as well as sensible and
useful articles.

Not a mother or father of these girls but felt proud
to show the gifts made by their daughters that Christmas,
and many a parent thanked Miss Miller for the
patience and time she had devoted to the Woodcrafters
to bring them to this point in their education and improvement
of character.

In January the Guide suggested that an entirely
new departure be taken up before Spring.

“I didn’t think there was anything more on earth
that we could learn,” said May, laughing.

“Now that we have exhausted all the foolishness,
maybe we will start on something worth while,” said
Eleanor.

“Just what I have in mind, Eleanor. I shall have
you all start practical and cumbersome work this
time,” smiled Miss Miller, but to the eager questions
of the girls, she maintained strict silence, merely
saying:

“‘Sufficient unto the day’—then you’ll see what
I have in mind for you.”

.. ---File: 276.png

CHAPTER FOURTEEN—WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK
======================================

“Girls, how many are willing to start making
a tent?” said the Guide, at the next meeting
in the gymnasium.

“A tent! Good gracious!” exclaimed Zan, while
the other girls echoed their Chief’s amazement.

“Easy as hemming a towel, if you know how,”
laughed Miss Miller.

“It sounds like a stupendous work, but I suppose
Miss Miller will explain it so that a child like Teddy
Remington can sit down and make one every day,”
laughed Jane.

“If you will try I will order the material to-day
and show you how to begin the work,” urged the
Guide.

“All right, go ahead! I’m willing to sew my fingers
to the bone if you say so,” sighed Zan, who detested
sewing.

The other girls laughed and Miss Miller immediately
took up the telephone receiver and called up a department
store. Her conversation showed that she had
already priced materials and had all information at
hand to start the tents without delay.

“Now, then, the stuff will be here Monday morning and
we can start any time you like. We will allow
fifteen yards of stuff for each tent. Four of you can
work on one, for the completed tent will accommodate
four cots. There being enough girls to work on five
tents, I have ordered the material for five.”

Once launched on this unusual task, the girls felt
a certain pride in saying, “We are making our own
tents for camp, you know,” and when they heard the
large bundle of canvas had arrived they were eager
to work.

“First I will cut two strips of the goods, each strip
being thirteen feet long. Then lap the selvage of
one side over the other, about a quarter of an inch,
and sew it down firmly with back-stitching. If we
had a machine it would be better still. There must
be a double row of stitching in case one row breaks
in a strain or sudden yank.

“Now we will spread the whole piece out flat on
the floor and fold over each end crosswise of the long
strip toward the centre, and about two feet three
inches from each end.

“These seams must be stitched or double-seamed
on the folds all the way down each fold, about three
or four inches in from the outer edge of the fold.
As this will be the place where the tent-ropes are
fastened, you can stitch it over and over four or five
times, for it will have considerable strain come on it.

“The two unfinished ends of the strips will then
have a narrow hem which will complete the roof and
sides of the tent.
”Cut the rest of the cloth into two strips about two
feet and seven inches long for the front and back
ends of the tent. Each of these is to be cut into two
pieces with a slanting cut running from a side two
feet one inch at one end to a point two feet one inch
on the other side.

“The sharp pointed corners are cut off by folding
over the cloth three inches from the edge and by cutting
the first slanting edge. You can save these pieces
to use for patches when you reinforce the roof at the
ends of the ridge-pole.

“Now lay the two pieces together and lap so the
points at the top are in the same position. Stitch down
one selvage for a length of two feet and then straight
across to the other selvage, and up to the top again.

“The section left loose is for a door-flap and tapes
are to be sewed at places a foot from the bottom and
also two feet up from the bottom. Hem each end of
bottom and then sew the edges of the sides and slanting
top to the sides and roof of the tent-body.

“For the ropes, you have to cut holes about half
an inch in diameter right through the folds you stitched
down on each side of the roof section. These holes
can be bound or button-holed with a string, or those
who prefer can use metal eyelets.

“You will need about eight feet of tent-rope for
each pole, and a loop of rope should be sewed at the
bottom of the tent below each hole to hold down the
sides.

“When the tent is completed it should be raised
between two straight tree trunks about five or six feet
high, or two poles about the same height. A pole
about six feet long will answer for the ridge-pole.
When these are up, drive some pegs slant-ways into
the ground about three feet away from each side of
the tent, to fasten the ropes to, and then drive more
pegs slant-ways for the loops of rope to slip over
and hold firm.

“Now you will have a neat little tent ready for
camping, but two important things still remain to be
done—can anyone tell me what they are?” asked Miss
Miller, as she concluded reading the directions she had
written down on a paper.

The girls thought earnestly for a time, but no one
seemed to grasp the need of anything else. Finally
the Guide said:

“What would happen in case of a heavy rain-storm?”

“Oh, we must dig a trench about the outside for
rain!” cried Zan, suddenly realising this important
factor in camping.

“Yes, and a floor must be laid to keep us dry from
the damp ground!” added Jane.

“I had in mind the gutter for rainwater, but the
floor is an important detail, too. I have a second item
that is as important as either of the others, though,”
continued Miss Miller.

“Miss Miller,” now said Elizabeth Remington, who
was visiting the Tribe that afternoon, “If you select
a spot high and dry on top of a knoll or hill where the
sides carry water down away from your tent, you will
not need to trench the circle to draw off rain from the
ground where your tent stands. It is a natural water-shed.”

“Ah, I see Elizabeth is a more experienced camper
than I am, and I admit that she is better informed
than I in this case,” said the Guide, bowing.

“Another good plan, Miss Miller, is to select a
place where the sun can shine in in the morning and dry
out dampness from the cots and inside of the tent.
In case you can’t find a place with a natural water-shed
in the ground, then a trench must be dug about
a foot wide and nine inches deep, according to the
size of your tent. I am figuring on this size tent.
This trench should be led away from the doorway just
as a leader on a roof carries the water from the building.
Also dig a canal for some distance away from
the tent to keep the water from backing up when there
are sudden heavy showers. Otherwise, your place will
be flooded from the over-flow of the trench.”

“Fine! Tell us some more, Elizabeth,” said the
Guide.

“Well, mother has experimented and found that
in tents made of such thin stuff as you have here, or
with duck or ticking, it is advisable to water-proof it
before using in camp.”

“That was the second point I wanted the girls to
find out and add to the rules,” said Miss Miller,
glad to hear the visitor was so well-versed in this
work.
“Oh, have Betsy tell us how to do it!” cried several
girls.

“I have heard but forgotten. Now I’ll get mother
to write down the rules and bring it to you another
time,” said Elizabeth, sorry she could not oblige the
Woodcrafters.

“And if anyone here wishes to know the secret
before our next meeting, let her read Edward Stewart
White’s ‘Forest,’ or Seton’s ‘Woodcraft Book,’ or
the ‘Boy Scout Manual,’,” added the Guide.

“They also explain how to make tepees, Miss
Miller,” said Elizabeth.

“Yes, and a tepee is simpler to make than a tent,
but this style tent is much roomier and so serviceable.”

That meeting adjourned very promptly as the girls
were not as eager to remain late sewing on heavy
material as they were when there was dancing or
singing.

But the tents were completed in time, and very proud
the Woodcrafters felt of the great achievement.

During January, Miss Miller took them to many
out-of-town points of interest. Almost every Saturday
was spent somewhere where the girls learned
many new historical facts, or were able to place incidents
heard of in connection with the place visited.

Thus, they visited Edgar Allan Poe’s cottage and
the old Revolutionary Mansions left in certain localities
of New York.

They took the Hudson Tube to Fulton Street,
thence the Broadway subway to 2O7th Street. Here
they took a cross-town car to Fordham Road and
walked north along the Concourse to Poe Park. The
cottage where Poe lived and wrote many of his famous
poems is standing here, and directly opposite the cottage
is a bust of Poe, erected on the centenary of
his birth, January 19th, 1909.

Another trip that cost very little and was most interesting
was a visit to Governor’s Island. The boat
left the Battery, and on the Island they visited the
Military Museum, the Military Prison, the Abandoned
Fort, and the Aviation Station. An aeroplane rose
and practised even while the Tribe watched it from
the Field.

Another Saturday, the Guide started them early in
the morning and they visited Sing Sing, watching the
men at work at their trades and seeing the wonderful
law and discipline maintained there. On the way back
from Ossining, they trolleyed to Dobbs’ Ferry and
visited the old Washington Headquarters there. It
has been purchased and restored to its original interesting
state by a loyal American Patriot, who discovered
in time that a brewery was negotiating to
purchase the estate and turn it into a road-house.
Thanks to the generous Patriot, such a desecration
was spared the Nation!

One of the outings included visits to historical
places in Brooklyn, and the girls were surprised to
find many relics of the Revolutionary period still in
good order in various sections of this city.

Beginning with February, Mrs. Remington expressed a
wish to visit a Council at the Gymnasium
and suggest some work to the girls. They immediately
replied with an enthusiastic invitation for her to visit
them Friday evening.

After preliminaries were disposed of, Mrs. Remington
addressed the Tribe.

“Now that you girls have your two Bands in good
standing and have a Charter from the League
authorising you to be established as Wako Tribe,
your next step should be to organise a Little
Lodge.

“It behooves a first-class Tribe in good standing
to start and supervise a Little Lodge as soon as is
reasonable. These little ones can range in age from
three to twelve, and are called ‘Brownies.’ They
usually are the sisters and brothers or friends of the
Big Lodge members. Thus the little children are early
taught to be good citizens—as Woodcraft teaches
everyone that.

“With the affectionate help from older girls, and
the association with and experience from Big Lodges,
these Brownies soon acquire an aptness for the things
taught their elders. My own little ones, Billy, Edith,
and Teddy, have acquired all they know to-day from
watching us at home, or mimicking the Woodcraft
things they see accomplished by my Tribe, or the
Black Bears.

“I have been thinking that my three children, who
are not yet twelve, can join your Little Lodge and be
of great help to you in successfully founding a Brownie
Band of your Tribe. I asked them what they thought
of it, and they are delighted with the prospect.”

The Woodcraft girls heartily applauded this idea
and Miss Miller thought it a splendid suggestion. She
saw the great possibilities it would offer the girls to
train themselves in patience, sacrifice, and many other
qualities that make for good womanhood.

In an aside to Mrs. Remington she whispered:
“Nothing like the responsibility of children to bring
out dormant strength of character in a girl!”

“Exactly! That is why this plan was adopted for
Big Lodge Girls.”

“We have been discussing this novel plan and we
all wish to ask some questions,” now announced the
Chief.

“The meeting is open for questions,” said the Guide.

“Can my brother Paul join?” asked Hilda.

“Sure—we’ll soon teach him to quit his peevish
ways,” replied Zan, frank but thoughtless in her
answer.

Hilda instantly closed her lips tight and looked
highly insulted. “The idea of Zan Baker speaking
like that of our little Paul!” said she to Nita.

“‘Little Paul’ is almost as old as Billy Remington,
but see the awful difference,” retorted Nita, for she
disliked the selfish, whining boy as heartily as Zan
did.

Hilda turned away but felt ill-treated by her friends.
Then Jane Hubert said:

“Maybe my little cousin Dot Hubert will join!
Goodness knows she needs this training almost as
much as Paul does.”

Some of the girls giggled, for they had noticed
Hilda’s offended manner, but Miss Miller quickly
added:

“With the three little Remingtons, that will make
five. We are progressing splendidly, girls.”

“And I believe I can interest my sister in this Lodge
so that Betty and Tammy Fullerton will be allowed
to join the Band,” ventured Mrs. Remington.

“How old are they?” eagerly asked the girls.

“Tammy is only a little past three years, and Betty
is about seven. Our Teddy is four, Dot Hubert is
eight, Edith is nine, Paul is almost eleven, and Billy
past eleven, so you see you have a fine range of ages to
experiment with.”

“Oh, I’m crazy to see them all together and try
to have them to do some Woodcraft stunts!” cried
Zan, clasping her hands in delight.

“Let’s hope your enthusiasm keeps up!” grumbled
Eleanor, who had not favoured the new departure
very much.

The next week the Brownies all attended the weekly
meeting and the ceremony of enrolling them as a Little
Lodge took place. But as this is all told in detail in
the story called “Little Woodcrafters’ Book,” in which
the cares and troubles of the self-appointed Woodcraft
mothers fill more than 350 pages and are illustrated
by numerous pictures, we will omit repeating it in this
volume.

.. ---File: 286.png

With the advent of the Brownies and the conversion
of seven active little bundles of mischief into becoming
normal, ambitious, *coup*-winning Woodcrafters, the
time flew by as if on wings. Every spare moment
found from regular studies and Woodcraft work was
filled in by attending to a Brownie need.

Thus February, March, and April came and passed
like a mist before the rising sun, and the month of
May was ushered in and found the five original girls
of Wako Tribe so completely absorbed with the progress
the Brownies were making that the other members
were ignored and left to work as best they could with
the help they could find in the Manual or from Miss
Miller.

The Guide saw the unexpected schism created in
the ranks of the Tribe, but she had to use utmost
wisdom in handling this peculiar situation—all interest
shown the Little Lodge by the five girls, and a lack
of concern about the new members of their own Big
Lodge.

The problem was mentioned to Mrs. Remington and
that lady suggested a visit to Council House where
Wako Tribe could hold a Grand Council and exhibit
work accomplished during the Winter. This was
planned to draw the factions together again by
a mutual pride and interest in their Tribe activities.

Besides the friends of the members of Wako Tribe,
there would be the Black Bears (Fred’s Tribe), Elizabeth’s
Tribe, some guests from Headquarters in New
York, and a few neighbours of Mrs. Remington’s who
were deeply interested in Woodcraft work.

The girls of Wako Tribe were delighted to hold a
Spring Council at this place and everyone worked with
a will to make the event a memorable occasion. The
Guide heaved a deep sigh, for she saw them all united
again and seeking the advancement of the Tribe as
a unit. But she sighed too soon.

An elaborate programme was evolved and the visitors
were impressed by the exhibits of Woodcraft
work of every kind made and displayed by the members
of the Tribe.

As one entered the Council House a long table was
the first attraction. Tomtoms, simple or elaborate
according to experience and ability of the makers,
beautiful sets of bows and arrows that would carry
100 yards or 150 yards and win *coups* or grand *coups*,
respectively; fire-sets of rubbing sticks and their
leather bags, decorated as the individual preferred;
birch-bark articles made from the Alpine harvest of
the preceding Fall; many kinds of knots tied in rope
and tagged as mentioned in the Manual; individual
Tally Books showing what each girl had accomplished
since joining the Tribe; and last but not least on this
table was an enlarged photograph of the little cabin
built on Wickeecheokee Bluff by the five girls during
the Summer of their first camp.

Back of the first long table of exhibits, the wall
was covered with grass mats, willow beds, decorated
blankets, totems, shields, carefully mounted and
framed collections of moths, butterflies, insects of
various kinds, leaves, flowers, forestry, etc. These
made an impressive showing, and many had *coups* or
*grand coups* attached.

Next to the long table stood the book-shelves,
tabourets, benches, stools, bird-houses, and other decorative
or useful articles in carpentry.

A second long table exhibited the pottery work,
bowls, fire-urns, candle-sticks, weaving, bead-work,
looms, Indian Sun-dial; work in brass, silver, copper,
and other metals, the designs made, hammered, and
etched by the girls themselves.

Then an old-fashioned bookcase with glass doors
had been brought from the house-attic and the shelves
of this large cabinet were filled with jars of canned
fruit, preserves, pickles, dried and canned vegetables,
dried or salted meats, cakes, bread, and other housekeeper’s
craft learned and practised by the members
of Wako Tribe.

On the floor beside the cabinet were hand-made rush
brooms, willow-ware of all kinds, Indian tools for
gardening, and the tents made at such expense of
labour and patience during January.

There were exhibits of *coups* and degrees and honours
for swimming, star-gazing, farming, archery,
nursing, needle-craft, marketing, singing, dancing, Indian
Lore, hostess, cooking, fishing, gardening, carpentry,
camper-craft, bird sharp, art crafts, and minor
works so arranged that the lists seemed endless. In
fact, the Big Chief from Headquarters said he had
never witnessed so many achievements accomplished
by one Tribe in so short a time, and he added that it
spoke well for the zeal and application of the members.

The entertainment now began with the usual ceremonies
of Grand Council, followed by reports and
other business. Then the girls performed the Green
Corn Dance, which is especially a Spring Dance. After
the Big Lodge finished this graceful dance, the
Brownies of the Little Lodge acted Nana-bo-jou with
great vim and energy.

Immediately following this dance, the Chief said:
“One of our Brownies wishes to win a *coup* for storytelling,
so I will introduce Edith Remington to the
audience. She will tell you what happened to her last
Winter.”

Edith was acquainted with most of the visitors
present, so she felt no self-consciousness in addressing
them. In fact, bashfulness and over-sensitiveness are
two of the undesirable failings eliminated by Woodcraft,
so that a child can do what is expected of it
without the agony brought out by self-consciousness.

“It was a very cold day—so cold that the ground
was frozen hard—but no snow had fallen yet. I
wanted to call Billy ’cause we were invited to spend
the day with my little cousins, so I ran out of the
front door to find him in the woods at the foot of
the lawn.

“Just as I hurried under a big oak tree that stands
by the drive, I heard a queer scratching noise, and
some loose pebbles flew in front of me.

.. ---File: 290.png

“I looked over at the foot of the tree-trunk and
there was a little squirrel trying to dig up the hard
frozen ground. I s’pose he had some nuts buried there
and wanted to get them out for his dinner. As I
stood watching him for a few minutes, my hands grew
cold, so I pulled the mittens out of my coat pocket.

“Out flew a peanut with one of the mittens and no
sooner did it roll on the ground than Mr. Squirrel
hopped over and had it. He jumped back to the tree
and sat upon his haunches cracking and eating the nut.

“He must have been awful hungry, ’cause he hurried
back to me the minute he finished the peanut, and
jumped upon my arm, looking in my pocket for more.

“I waited, as still as a mouse, so he wouldn’t get
’fraid, then he looked up in my face as much as to say:
‘Haven’t you any more?’

“I laughed at that, and he jumped away and sat
a few yards off watching me. Then I had an idea.
I ran in and asked Mose for some nuts, telling him
about the squirrel. He gave me a handful from the
pantry and I ran back to feed the little fellow.

“He came right up and took them from my hands
and when he had carted most of them over to the foot
of the tree and eaten some, he carried one at a time
to a bough and sat eating it. When that was gone
he ran down and carried another nut up and ate it.

“I told Billy about it and he said he guessed we
could tame that squirrel if we fed it every day. So
we gave it things to eat all Winter and now it is as
tame as can be.”

.. ---File: 291.png

When Edith concluded her story the audience applauded
and Big Chief declared she must have the
*coup*, for the story was well told.

Edith was so delighted at hearing this praise from
the Chief at Headquarters that she could not be restrained
that day—she ran about showing everyone
the *coup* presented her.

The Council ended with the Sunset Song, and the
meeting was pronounced to be one of the best Wako
Tribe ever held. Miss Miller felt confident that the
plan had united all the girls again and now they would
work together as before, for the progress and advancement
of the entire Tribe.

.. ---File: 292.png

CHAPTER FIFTEEN—SOME WEEK-END CAMPS
===================================

The weather grew warmer with the advancing
Spring and out-door life became a joy to the
Woodcrafters. The Little Lodge proved to be so
entertaining to the five girls that they felt a jealousy
of any other member of Wako Tribe should she inadvertently
mention a personal interest in the welfare
of the Brownies.

Miss Miller saw the breach widening again and was
torn ’twixt her desire to keep unity and the struggle
to do her duty to both factions. This was the state
of affairs when the Chief suggested a one-day’s camp
to try out the Little Lodge in the woods.

“Did you hear what Zan Baker’s gone and done?”
exclaimed Eleanor Wilbur, as soon as she heard about
the proposed camp that Saturday.

“No—what?” demanded some of the girls who
were working in the gymnasium while waiting for
Miss Miller. The five other girls seldom met at school
now, as the Brownies met them at their own homes,
thus enabling them to hold aloof from the other
members.

“She’s planned a camp and left us out in the cold!”

.. ---File: 293.png

“Who told you so?” asked some of the loyal girls.

“Oh, I heard it, all right. If you don’t believe me
you can ask the Guide when she comes in. Maybe she
won’t tell the truth, though, ’cause she is as thick with
them as can be, and she is going with them, I s’pose!”

“Well, I can hardly blame Zan and her chums for
spending so much time with the Brownies—they are
awfully cute, you know!” responded May Randall.

“Besides, the work we have done according to the
Manual shows that we can go on just the same, whether
the other five girls sit down and wait for us to catch
up or not,” said Anne.

“It might be better for all concerned if they fuss
over the Brownies while we do the things they all did
last year, and then we can all go on together with
Woodcraft,” added Frances.

“I might have known you three girls would toady
to Zan Baker and Jane Hubert. Just because they run
the show and boss us all, doesn’t say they have the
right to do it. But you are afraid of them, that’s why
you give in every time!” sneered Eleanor.

“At least you will admit that we don’t waste our
time going about telling tales on others and trying
to make trouble for everyone!” scorned Anne Mason,
just as the Guide entered.

Her appearance instantly changed Eleanor’s attitude
and she approached Miss Miller with an ingratiating
smile. The girls saw and most of them
sniffed, some even went so far as to murmur aloud:
“Cat! I wish she was out of this Tribe!”

.. ---File: 294.png

The Guide felt that the atmosphere was charged
but she hoped to find out the conditions without questioning,
so she started the meeting, explaining the
absence of the Chief and four girls by saying:

“They are teaching the Brownies to make gifts
for Betty’s birthday party. The little ones are going
to the woods to celebrate.”

That same evening, Miss Miller spoke to Zan about
having the other members of the Tribe at the Woodland
Camp.

“Oh pshaw, Miss Miller! We can’t bother with
a crowd of big girls when we are just on the point of
trying out this camp-experiment with the Brownies.
Those girls have enough to do with their work, and
we can go on with the Little Lodge until later.”

“Have you decided on a place for the picnic?”
asked the Guide, changing the subject.

“We thought Eagle’s Crest as good as any for just
one day,” replied Zan, relieved that the other disagreeable
topic was dropped.

“Yes, it is near enough to reach it in an hour’s time
by autos, and there will be plenty of birds and flowers
and trees to open a mine of Woodcraft for the
Brownies.”

“Then it is settled—we will go to Eagle’s Crest.
And I will say that some time, when we go to a longer
camp-trip, we will ask the new members,” said Zan,
apologetically, for she knew the girls of Suwanee Band
and her own new members were not receiving the true
hospitality demanded of genuine Woodcrafters.

.. ---File: 295.png

From this conversation, Miss Miller gathered that
the five older members were determined to have their
own way with the Little Lodge, and she planned now
to avert disaster to the Tribe and yet keep them all
the best of friends.

Hence the first out-door camp for a day with the
Brownies was not announced as a Tribe activity, but
it was kept as quiet as possible, declaring it was Betty
Fullerton’s birthday party and not a Tribe affair at
all. Of course the five old members felt this was
downright prevarication, but it seemed the easiest way
to rid themselves of unpleasant explanations to the
other girls.

To carry out the plan of celebrating Betty’s birthday
the last of May, the girls began making gifts to
exchange with the Little Lodge members. The
Brownies, too, eagerly worked on simple little presents
made of paper, paint, and raffia work.

Of course Miss Miller was included in the picnic
and she went to keep an alert eye on the conduct and
conversation of the older girls as well as watch over
the younger children.

From a picnicker’s point of view, the outing was
a great success and proved an incentive for a longer
camp next time.

On the drive back home that afternoon, Zan asked
the other girls when and where they should have the
next camp.

“We can revisit Staten Island,” suggested Elena.

“I’d rather camp nearer a house or store where
we could telephone if we need to,” added
Jane.

“I met a lady this winter who has a house on the
Palisades much nearer Fort Lee Ferry than our Alpine
Camp was last Fall. She has heard of your Tribe
and seemed eager to meet you. I might write and
see if she knows of a spot near there,” said Miss
Miller.

“Oh do, please, and maybe we can go the first warm
Friday.”

“I might add that if the weather is fine we might
make a regular Tribe camp of it and all camp over
the week-end,” added Miss Miller.

The frowns and scowls that instantly showed on
the faces of the five girls plainly told the Guide that
the time was not yet at hand for the solving of the
unpleasant problem.

At the first stop, which was Miss Miller’s home,
Zan said: “Don’t forget that letter, Miss
Miller.”

“I won’t, but I must say that you girls ought to pay
more attention to individual Woodcraft interests and
not so much to your delight in playing with the
Brownies. It is downright selfish of you.”

Miss Miller said good-night to them and left them
wondering at her displeased tone of voice.

“What did you do, Zan Baker?” cried Jane,
amazed.

“I—I never did a thing to her!” said Zan half-crying
with mortification.

.. ---File: 297.png

“If Miss Miller is mad at us for anything I am
going to ask her pardon ’cause I’d rather keep in with
her than all the Woodcraft in the world!” declared
Nita.

Which all goes to show that the five girls did not
stop to consider how deeply the Guide felt over the
careless manner in which they treated the new members
of the Tribe. Possibly, had they realised the truth
they would have swung over to the opposite extreme
and dropped the Brownies to make up to the other
girls to please the Guide.

But Miss Miller finally decided to take Mrs. Remington
into a secret plan she had devised. After the
letter was written to her friend on the Palisades, she
called Mrs. Remington up on the telephone and they
talked some time. When the conversation ended the
plot was laid.

The week-end camp on the Hudson River Cliffs
proved to be very entertaining, as the friend mentioned
had provided the tents and camp-kits, and the girls
only had to provide food and fun.

The Little Lodge was well started on flowers, birds,
trees and other *coups* for Brownies, and on Sunday,
the blue prints were made and admired. Not only did
the children make simple prints but the five older
Woodcrafters made several exquisite ones for their
Tally Books.

The evening before the Band broke camp, they were
all seated about the embers of the camp-fire when the
Guide addressed them:

.. ---File: 298.png

“You girls will not have much time to give the
Little Lodge after this week—you have to study for
Exams. you know.”

“Dear sakes, that’s so! I tried to forget it,” sighed
Elena.

“This is the last of May and preliminary examinations
start the first week of June this year,” the Guide
reminded.

“I have to work up some of those last Fall studies,
too,” murmured Hilda.

“Have you thought of any plan for the Brownies
while you are occupied with lessons? I shall not be
able to meet with you again or waste any time on
Woodcraft from now on till school closes,” ventured
Miss Miller.

“You won’t! Goodness what will we do?” asked
Zan.

“Why, do what I will do—study like mad!” retorted
Jane.

“That’s what you all had better do if you expect to
go on with your class next year. You can’t afford to
drop behind in your school-classes on account of these
children,” advised Miss Miller.

“Maybe they’ll forget all they learned from us—and
maybe they’ll not want to bother with a Little
Lodge if we have to leave them a whole month,” said
Nita.

“I thought of a way to handle the situation but Zan
ought to arrange about it without delay—that is, if it
meets with the approval of you all.”

.. ---File: 299.png

“It is sure to—what is it, Miss Miller?” said the
girls.

“Ask Mrs. Remington to watch over and take
charge of your Little Lodge until school is over. She
can teach them lots of good things and they can be
handed back to you in fine feather when your time is
yours to enjoy again.”

“What a dandy idea! I’ll do it the moment we get
home,” exclaimed Zan.

And the other girls agreed with her that the plan
was great! Miss Miller meekly looked at the fading
pink ashes of the camp-fire and mentally thanked the
Watchful Spirit for a hope of peace that was held out
to Wako Tribe.

Monday night Mrs. Remington accepted an invitation
from Zan to call and talk over Little Lodge matters,
and the result was that the Brownies were
turned over to her personal charge and the Chief
congratulated herself on her tact in arranging
matters so nicely for the Brownies and for her
friends.

The following day, Tuesday, Eleanor met the Mason
girls. “I hear those five girls had a wonderful time
at camp on the Palisades last week. Just got home late
Sunday night.”

“Yes, and what is more it was the last outing with
their Brownies this season. They have turned over
affairs to Mrs. Remington till school closes,” retorted
Anne.

“So, you see, that doesn’t look much like being so
taken up with the Little Lodge that they were jealous
of us, as you intimated some time ago,” added Frances.

Eleanor was taken by surprise as she had heard
nothing of the transfer. She said nothing more but
changed the subject.

For the month following the camp on the Palisades,
every school girl was busy with studies and examinations,
and little heed was paid Woodcraft interests.
Miss Miller, too, had much extra work to do as she
generally assisted the high-school teachers in reading
papers and marking percentages for pupils. But she
took time to visit the doctor one afternoon and outline
to him the fears and worries she felt over the schism
in the Tribe.

“I am sorry to hear my girl is so thoughtless of
others’ rights in this matter, but I think I can suggest
a way out of further misunderstandings,” said the
doctor when the Guide had concluded her tale of
trouble.

“Oh, if you could! Your letter last Summer was
so full of sensible advice regarding Nita that I felt
sure you could offer some way out of this difficulty,”
said Miss Miller.

“The last week of school—immediately after exams.
are over, so the girls will not be distracted
by my plan during any important test—I will send an
invitation to every girl in Wako Tribe asking them to
visit Wickeecheokee for a camp party. Mrs. Baker
is not going to take her boys there to camp until the
day following the Fourth, and the girls can have the
use of the place until that time. They can start as soon
as they wish to after school closes.”

“Oh, that is just what we need—a close companionship
such as a camp at the farm will give. Then the
crisis will be passed without danger,” sighed Miss
Miller, gratefully.

“As a physician would say, ‘with no fatalities to
record!’ and patients all doing well!” laughed Dr.
Baker.

So it happened that the last Monday of the school-month,
the hard tests all over for the term, Miss Miller
sent word by Billy Remington, that the members of the
Tribe were to meet her the next afternoon—Tuesday—in
the gymnasium.

It seemed a long time since the girls had met and
everyone was present to hear what was the cause of
the call.

When all were present, the Guide read an invitation
from the doctor, which included every girl in the
Tribe, as well as the Little Lodge members.

“Oh, how lovely of the doctor!” cried several
voices.

“If only it was for some other time, Miss Miller!
We have company coming to spend the Fourth,” complained
one of the Suwanee members.

“And we are going to the seashore next Monday
for a month!” added another girl.

“Well, let us only consider the reply just now—those
who will not be here to go with us, can explain
later,” said the Guide, fearful lest the principal cause of
the meeting be lost.

“Oh, we’ll go, of course! Who’d think of refusing?”
laughed Jane.

“Is that what everyone present thinks? Remember
girls—this is for everyone in the Tribe—not for a
few,” said the Guide very plainly.

The vote showed that every girl was glad and grateful
to accept the invitation, so it was accepted and the
letter handed Zan to give her father that night. Then
the individual members would have to arrange their
personal matters at home as best they could. This
meeting over, the Guide felt that she had won another
victory over the subtle temptations of evil to destroy
any good work that would lift the individual out of
its power for all time.

It finally transpired that beside the five old members
and the Little Lodge Brownies, but six of the new
members could arrange to go to camp with the Tribe.
The others had promised visits to pay, or were leaving
the city with their families, for the entire Summer
vacation.

From the day the invitation was read to the day
the girls planned to start, Eleanor was very attentive
to Zan, effusing over everything the Chief did or said,
until Zan grew annoyed and felt like asking her what
it was all for.

The last day in the city, however, Eleanor met Zan
on the street, and said: “Are all the Brownies going
with us?”

.. ---File: 303.png

“Sure! There aren’t enough to go around as it is—so
we couldn’t spare one, you know.”

“They are such darlings! I am so glad they will
be with us!” exclaimed Eleanor.

“I thought you detested them. I heard that you
preferred leaving our Tribe if we continued having a
Little Lodge,” said Zan.

“What! Who dared say that of me? It is false!”
cried Eleanor, furious to find she had been found out.

“Oh, never mind who. You’ll get over this, just
as we get over everything unpleasant. Stick to your
present desire of being glad the kiddies are with us,
and forget the others!”

So Zan, with all her frankness, averted an unpleasant
scene with Eleanor. But she mentioned it to the
Guide who nodded and said: “Eleanor will climb out
of this mire just as Nita got out last Summer, but it
seems to cling more tenaciously to Eleanor.”

The short interval given the girls in which to prepare
for the camp on the farm, soon passed and amid
a chorus of happy good-byes and some regrets from
those who remained at home, the Tribe left the city.
After several hours of motoring through the lovely
country districts of New Jersey, they reached Wickeecheokee.

“You five girls sure were lucky to have a whole
summer at this grand old place,” said a member of
Suwanee Band, as she admired the old colonial house,
the ancient trees, the fine green lawns and the glimpse
of gardens back of the barns.

.. ---File: 304.png

“If you think this is fine, just wait till you see the
Bluff and Falls where we camp. That’s something
worth while!” bragged Zan, who was pleased at the
admiration from the girls.

“The water rushes right down the mountain-side
from Fiji’s Cave and falls over a great boulder into a
pool below that we use for a swimming pool,” added
Jane.

“And we have a large Council Ring there, and a
ready-made fire-place,” said Hilda.

“That reminds me! We all ought to feel hungry
by this time, so we could have lunch on the lawn and
start for the Bluff later, to get settled for the night,”
advised the Guide.

“I think I can eat a morsel, if coaxed hard enough,”
said Jane, laughing.

“I can eat everything in sight—even the grass,”
declared Billy.

“You won’t have to stoop to the meek little blades,
Billy, as we brought plenty of sandwiches and cake,”
said Zan.

As they enjoyed the luncheon brought from home,
Miss Miller asked: “Who would like to visit the
gardens after we’re through with refreshments?”

“Oh, yes; I can’t tell an onion from a gooseberry,”
laughed Eleanor.

“You ought to if you did your cookery work properly
this winter,” Miss Miller reproved.

An hour was devoted to trying to identify the many
vegetables of the garden, and at the same time, enough
fruit and other things were gathered for supper and
breakfast.

“Funny how different lettuce, radishes, beets, and
other things look to us when growing in the garden
and when we have them ready served on the dinner
table,” commented one of the girls.

Then the Guide described the habits of many vegetables
and explained how they grew and should be
cared for and harvested. She touched upon the national
interest taken in canning and preserving and
hinted that the Wako Girls might start a class for
themselves early in the Fall.

Bill Sherwood had erected tents and brought the
cots from the cabin, so all was ready for the Tribe
when they reached the Bluff. The Council Ring had
been cleared of debris and the camp-fire place ready for
supper, so that the Guide smiled and thanked Bill for
his trouble to have everything in order for them.

That night the girls sat star-gazing when Zan said:
“We must start the new members and the Brownies
on mat weaving and willow bed making, the first thing,
Miss Miller.”

“Yes, the rushes and willows ought to be just about
right this time of year,” added the Guide, delighted
that Zan was taking a normal interest in her Woodcraft
again.

So immediately after breakfast, they all started
down the slope to the Big Bridge where the reeds grew
thickest and longest. In passing, the Guide called the
attention of the Brownies and new members to the
trees: Oak, hickory, maple and others were identified
and described.

Then Billy tried to show his superiority over the
other Brownies, by saying: “That is a red maple, and
over there—that’s a swamp maple.”

“What’s this, Billy?” asked Elizabeth.

“Oh, that’s a mountain maple.”

“What was the grove we came through last night?”
said she.

“Sugar maples for maple syrup! Don’t I know!
I’ve tapped them enough when out with Fred,” giggled
Billy.

While they were all engaged in cutting rushes some
of the girls gazed about now and then. In one of these
wayward glances, May saw some green leaves growing
in the brook.

“What are they, Miss Miller?”

“That is water-cress—would you like to gather it?”

“Water-cress! Oh, I love it in salad!” cried
May.

“Then pull off your shoes and stockings and wade in
and gather all you want. We’ll have it instead of lettuce
this noon.”

Two of the girls preferred to help May gather cress
as they thought they had enough reed and rush for a
mat, so by the time the cutting was done, the three
girls had a large basketful of water-cress.

That afternoon, they began weaving mats on the
looms constructed that morning. As they were working
for *coups* they applied themselves carefully to the
work. Even the Little Lodge tried the mat weaving
but soon wearied of it.

Eleanor took an enthusiastic interest in the mats
until she found it was tedious work and made her
back ache with bending over the looms.

“It seems so silly to waste time on this stuff when
you really do not need them or want them for anything,”
said she.

“We’re not weaving a doormat but working for an
honour,” retorted May.

“But it is foolish—an empty honour,” laughed
she.

“I never think anything foolish that creates a desire
to do perfect work, or apply yourself and overcome
impatience,” said Miss Miller.

“But where’s the honour come in?” insisted
Eleanor.

“It is an honour always to follow the Bible’s
injunction—‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it
with thy might.’”

“Oh, you’re talking of religion—this is different,”
argued Eleanor, not to be silenced.

“Our Master felt that the two went together—honour
and religion. If one does what is honourable
and right in small things he can be depended upon for
greater things, too.”

“Well, weaving grass mats won’t count,” scorned
Eleanor, pushing at her badly woven mat impatiently.

“Everything counts. If you can’t be patient and do
a simple thing like a grass mat how do you expect to
be promoted? It is the promotion that gains us
honours but if one fails to do the best he can with
anything given to do, how can one hope to go higher
in the scale of progress?

“In Woodcraft, it is not the grass mat we weave
that counts for the *coup* or honour, it is the general
improvement in one’s moral and spiritual life that
really counts. And the uplift in mental and characteristic
desires brings about the higher basis for the next
step.

“You mistake, Eleanor, when you think you are
weaving grass mats or willow beds—you are weaving
qualities of thought, good or bad, and each pattern
produced only shows what thoughts, upbuilding or destructive,
you are allowing yourself to weave into the
warp and woof of your future life. And this pattern
is all there is to our temporal lives, but it is everything
when we seek promotion to our eternal and spiritual
life!”

Eleanor lifted her delicate eyebrows with a disdainful
manner and pretended to stifle a yawn as she
gazed away to Pine Nob.

The Guide saw the expression of being bored but
she said nothing, being too noble a character to take
offence or feel sensitive over the girl’s rudeness. The
other girls had heard the short lecture and pondered
deeply as they worked.

Miss Miller saw the thoughtful girls in one comprehensive
glance, and thanked the Great Spirit that the
seed had not all fallen on barren ground.

.. ---File: 309.png

Eleanor noticed the silence after a time and remarked:

“Have you girls lost your tongues?”

“Why-hy, no-o! I guess we were thinking.”

“Thinking—what of?” wondered she.

“Why Miss Miller’s words, to be sure. She is
wonderful, that way, and we love to hear her explain
things spiritual in such a simple way. It really makes
religion attractive, I think,” said Jane.

“Now, if Jane Hubert thinks that, and she lives in
the finest house belonging to any of the girls, and she
has more money than any, there must be more to the
Guide’s words than I thought of. What was it she
said to me, anyway?” thought Eleanor to herself as
she began pulling out the strands she had woven into
the mat.

Then she tried to remember and in so doing she took
in more of what Miss Miller had really said than she
thought possible. Even as she pondered, she finished
unravelling the mat and began over again to weave the
work correctly and neatly.

Nita noticed this silent weaving and the thoughtful
mien of Eleanor, and she left her own loom to join
the girl and tell her of her experience while at Camp
with Miss Miller the previous Summer.

Eleanor kept her eyes upon the weaving as she listened,
and when Nita said: “I never was so contented
and happy in my life as now, and it is only because I
tried to do just as Miss Miller taught and showed me
to do.”

.. ---File: 310.png

The days passed only too quickly for the busy
Woodcrafters until the day before the Fourth. Then
the Doctor telephoned just before noon and told the
Guide that the friends and families of Wako Tribe
were coming down to hold a Council on the afternoon
of the Fourth.

When this unexpected news was transmitted to the
girls, such a bustle and excitement as it created!
Everyone wanted to do something fine to show the
visitors what progress had been made in the past week.

Some of the girls went to the house to bake cake for
refreshments, some hurriedly sawed and painted crude
totems to make the Council Ring appear decorated.
The Brownies thrashed through the woods gathering
wild flowers and fern, and arranging them in pails and
jars of water. Mrs. Sherwood skimmed the rich
cream from several pans of milk and offered to freeze
the ice-cream. Everyone managed to get in everyone
else’s way, and the merry confusion was as enjoyable
as a surprise party.

The girls expected the visitors about noon, but it
was almost two o’clock before a maddening sound
reached them.

“Good gracious! That isn’t *our* siren!” cried
Jane.

“Nor ours—and it isn’t the Remingtons’, either,”
said Zan.

Then another terrific blast sounded from the Big
Bridge, and the girls saw three large jitneys turn in
from the main road and pull up before Bill’s cottage.

.. ---File: 311.png

“Did you ever see such a crowd?” exclaimed May,
as the visitors jumped out and looked about.

“‘Everybody and his uncle’ came, I guess!”
laughed Elena.

“And in jitneys! Isn’t it a scream?” added Jane.

As they spoke, the girls were hurrying down the
slope to welcome the friends and soon after, the
Council Ring was filled and the entertainment began.

Nita danced, the Tribe sang, the boys had sham-battles,
games were enjoyed, and refreshments,—not
the least of the fun—were quickly disposed of and the
visitors complimented the cooks.

“I hear those jitneys calling ‘Ole Black Joe,’” sang
the doctor, as a horn sounded from the foot of the
slope. “But I must say my little say before I go.
And this is my speech!”

Dr. Baker then told the girls that they, as a Tribe,
were invited to accompany Mrs. Hubert to the Adirondack
Camp for the Summer. She expected to leave
the city on the following Thursday and anyone intending
to go must be ready and waiting at the car.

This wonderful news was wildly received and the
visitors were sent off in a hurry, as the girls wanted
time to consider ways and means of going to Woodchuck
Camp.

.. ---File: 312.png

CHAPTER SIXTEEN—THE ADIRONDACK CAMP
===================================

When the girls returned to the city the day following
the Fourth, they heard that Mrs. Remington
and Anna, the governess, were going to assist
them in Woodcraft that Summer, and incidentally look
after Teddy and Tammy, the babies of Little Lodge.

Mrs. Baker was invited but she declined as she had
already arranged to start a boys’ camp for her sons at
the farm. All the members of Wako Tribe were invited
but many of them could not go, as other plans
had been made by mothers. So on the day of departure,
Miss Miller, the other ladies, and Brownies, with
the five old members and some of the new ones,
boarded the express.

It was a long wearisome ride but the wonders expected
when all should reach the mountains buoyed
them up. As Zan said: “It was just like journeying
hopefully through earth’s tribulations for the joy
and peace waiting in Heaven.”

It was dark when the campers reached the Huberts’
place and not much could be seen, but early in the
morning every girl was out and exclaiming at the
beauty of the forest camp. The lake was a short walk
from the long cabin, and a swim was the first thing on
the programme. After that a hearty breakfast, and
a hike through the woods.

As they merrily ran hither and thither in the cool
bowers of green, the Brownies gathered flowers and
leaves. Billy brought Miss Miller a sprig of green and
she cried:

“Ha! Who knows what this is—don’t tell them,
Billy!”

“Do you know—it smells like mint of some sort?”
said Nita, sniffing at the green leaves.

“It’s sassafras. The juice of these leaves flavours
the chewing gum Zan told us of in her essay,” said the
Guide.

“Then it is used for candy, too,” added Billy.

“Yes, and peppermint and birch found in these
woods can be used for flavouring, too,” said Mrs.
Remington.

“Did I hear you say we had all the makings of some
candy the first rainy day?” laughed Zan.

“Having the flavouring at hand—why not?” retorted
Jane, well knowing the Brownies would take up
the cry.

Even as she turned to nudge Billy, a drop of rain
splashed down upon her face. She looked up and saw
a heavy cloud sweeping over the sun and the others
turned and looked also.

“Run everybody, or we’ll have to swim back!”
cried Zan.

“Run for the house—not for the camp! Remember
that sassafras candy!” merrily shouted Jane.

.. ---File: 314.png

So the first day at Woodchuck Camp ended with a
candy-pull and sticky hands and faces of Wako Tribe
members.

No one could settle down to any planned Woodcraft
work that first week in the Adirondacks as the call of
the forest and lake proved irresistible. But the second
week the novelty had worn off enough to allow the girls
to start some active work.

“We must have a good cabin to hold our tools and
work during the Summer—what do you say to building
one at once?” asked Miss Miller.

“Oh, yes, let’s!” replied the girls who had built the
cabin at Wickeecheokee Camp.

“Won’t it be awfully hard work?” queried Anne.

“And so senseless when you have tents and a house
near enough to place things,” added Eleanor, peevishly.
“It will be more fun to swing in a hammock and read
stories.”

“One can read books in the Winter but who wants
to do it in camp?” scorned Hilda.

“My mother sent me a box of novels and I shall
take it easy and read—you girls can do as you like,”
retorted Eleanor.

Miss Miller heard the conversation and was on guard
at once. “Who is your favourite author, Eleanor?”

“I have so many, I hardly can tell,” said the girl,
not aware of the Guide’s intentions to draw her out.

“What style of book do you prefer? Travel, history,
or love stories?”

“Oh, love, to be sure! The kind that are run
serially in the ‘Cosmo’ Magazine. I adore them and
the moment the books are out I buy them to read again.
I can devour the love scenes again and again, and enjoy
them!” sighed Eleanor, sentimentally.

“When that box of books arrives, Eleanor, will you
allow me to look them over first?”

“Of course you may, but I can’t see why you
would want to read them first—you couldn’t finish
them all in a month!” laughed Eleanor.

“I have no desire to read them, but I must see what
you intend bringing into camp. From your words, I
should say the books are unworthy the name. I have
long taken up the crusade against the trash that some
magazines publish as it is unhealthy for young people.
There are scores of other periodicals just as bad but
they haven’t the wealth or influence to advertise and
put over their injurious reading that this one you mention
has.”

“Why, how queer you are, Miss Miller! Everyone
says the authors of those stories make fortunes
out of everything written!” Eleanor defended.

“Ah, yes! What will be their report when the Day
of Accounts comes and we each have to look at the
facts bared by Truth?” sighed the Guide walking
away.

Eleanor smiled ironically and looked at Zan. “Isn’t
she the funniest thing!”

“No, we all know Miss Miller’s great ambition to
provide clean wholesome literature for young people
and Dad seconds her enthusiastically in her work. She
wrote an article to the New York papers showing how
subtle and poisonous was the moral and mental perversion
of the sex stories so flagrantly advertised by publishers
who only thought of gain and notoriety. But
the newspapers are not courageous enough to throw the
gauntlet down to these publishers. Some of them
wrote back that the concerns mentioned spent large
sums advertising in their daily papers. So Miss Miller
has to try some other method to open the eyes of the
parents and guardians to the danger threatening young
people.”

Eleanor stared at Zan and wondered, as half of it
was Greek to her understanding. Miss Miller was
heard ordering the carpenters to different duties, however,
so Zan ran over to join them.

“The Brownies can find birch bark and make the
ornaments to decorate the cabin,” said Anna, as the
Guide apportioned each group of girls to tasks.

“Moreover, they can remove the large sections of
bark from this down-timber for the girls to use on the
outside of the cabin after the posts are up,” said Mrs.
Remington.

And that is how the name “Boss” began for the
Guide.

“I’ll guarantee to have bark, totems, shields, and
other ornaments ready for use when the cabin needs
them,” added Mrs. Remington, calling the Brownies
to go with Anna and her.

All that day the silent places of the forest resounded
with sawing, chopping and hammering, but now and
then a hot and tired girl would throw herself down on
the moss to cool.

At luncheon that day, Mrs. Remington whispered
to Miss Miller: “This work will take much of the
softness out and leave them in good shape for other
sport.”

“Exactly!” replied the Guide, looking about at the
hungry, eager faces of the members.

A call for “Boss” from Tim, who was assisting in
the hauling of the logs, interrupted further comment
at that time.

“Miss Miller, the young ladies don’t want to dig a
hole where the logs will rest. I tells them they must
do it to have a firm foundation. Fact, I said, a hull
cellar ought to be dug to keep the floor dry and sweet-smellin’,”
said Tim.

“Yes, a cellar must be excavated if only a foot, or
two feet deep. Otherwise the floor will soon be
mouldy and damp.”

So that afternoon, the girls dug and shovelled and
worked on a pit about a foot and a half deep and as
large as the floor was planned to be. The four logs
forming the foundation square were well set before the
horn sounded for rest that night.

“Didn’t the time fly?” asked May, in surprise.

“It always does when one is pleasantly employed,”
added Mrs. Hubert, complimenting the Tribe on the
work accomplished.

The next day the cross-beams of the floor were laid,
and the four corner posts erected and firmly nailed into
place. At the luncheon that noon, plans were made
for the siding and roofing the cabin. That afternoon,
the ridgepole and rafters of the roof were set and the
uprights of the walls nailed in securely. When Mrs.
Hubert blew the horn for “Quits” the girls looked
longingly at the skeleton of their cabin.

“I’d like to tack a few sheets of tar paper on the
outside before stopping work,” ventured Elena.

“Not if you are a member of this union. The rest
of us will strike if you are permitted to work over-time,”
retorted the Guide, to the amusement of Tim
who thought the “Boss” a wonder.

The next day the paper roofing and siding was nailed
on and then the girls began the interesting work of
fitting on the great slabs of bark. This had to be carefully
done as any rough handling or nailing cracked
the sections.

By evening the cabin was covered and looked very
rustic with its forest blanket on sides and roof. But
Tim said the wide chinks between sheets of bark must
be filled in, and this must be done with plaster.

“Where can we find any?” wondered Zan.

“I’ll show you in the morning,” replied Miss
Miller.

So in the morning they went down to the shore and
the Guide dug a pit where clay was found at a depth
of ten inches. This was worked well with water until
it was the proper consistency and then pailfuls of the
mortar were carried to the cabin. The Brownies acted
as hod-carriers while the girls did the mason work.
Now and then a Brownie was allowed to fill in chinks
near the ground and rub it down between the bark.

This work was great fun and was finished by noon.
Then the question of windows and door came up.

“I have two sashes in the garage left over from the
addition built to the house last year,” suggested
Tim.

“Then we will have to make real frames?” asked
Jane.

“No’m! They slides along grooves and is easier to
shet when a shower comes up. If you had pulleys and
fittin’s like city houses they’d always be ketchin’ and
out of order,” said Tim.

So the donation of two nice windows was gratefully
accepted and the extra time saved was given to
the door. This was a difficult thing to make as real
hinges and a catch had to be fitted. Before the saddle
and strike were done, the girls felt that doors were
indeed an invention of the evil one to make folks want
to swear. Fingers were bruised, and heads bumped as
each girl declared *she* could do it—it was so easy!

But the door was finally hung—with Tim’s help—and
then the cabin was ready for furniture. The
Brownies had carried in all the packing cases saved
from the freight, and Mrs. Hubert had a remnant of
pantasote in the loft of the house, left from the covering
of her window seats.

While the Brownies made and painted totems and
crude decorations, the girls made and upholstered box-furniture,
and in a week’s time, the cabin was ready
for company. The visitors in this case consisted of
Mrs. Hubert and Tim’s wife.

“This cabin beats the one we made on the farm all
to smithereens!” exulted Zan, admiring the inside and
then stepping out to compliment the Little Lodge on the
floral decorations and Woodcraft tokens they had
made.

“We can keep all our Woodcraft stuff in here and
when one of us wants to be alone she can sit in here
and read or snooze,” added Jane.

“I’ll put the box of books in here and you girls
can help yourselves,” said Eleanor, generously.

“How about it—did they come?” asked Zan,
curiously.

“Tim said the box was at the station and he is going
to bring it in the morning,” replied Eleanor.

Miss Miller was right on the spot when the box was
taken from the automobile and Eleanor brought the
hammer and driver to pry off the top boards. As expected,
the Guide found trashy paper novels inside and
a note from Eleanor’s mother. This the girl read
aloud.

    “Dear Ella:

    As you are camping where rain and dirt will spoil a
    good book I bought a lot from a 10-cent store and
    from a second-hand shop downtown. It won’t hurt if
    these do get wet, so don’t worry over them. I tried to
    buy your favourite authors—Lila Jane Lilly is one,
    isn’t she? And the Dutchie another. If the other
    girls want to read them, be generous and let them,“

    --Lovingly,
      :small-caps:`Mother.`”

“Humph! I should say a thorough soaking of rain
would improve these books vastly,” remarked the Guide
as she gingerly turned the pages of the first few removed
from the box. “In fact, if we could soak them
back to pulp again and forever wash away the effects
of the text, what a benefaction the world would
have!”

“Are you jesting, Miss Miller?” wondered Eleanor.

“Jesting! At such criminal thoughts as these
stories implant in the minds of adolescent girls and
boys? Why, the woman who made such a fortune out
of gullible young things ought to be condemned to
purgatory—only we know there isn’t such a place!”
fumed the Guide, righteously indignant.

“I’ve read most of her books and I never saw anything
bad. They were grand—and full of wonderful
romance!” defended Eleanor.

“If the ‘bad’ was exposed your mother wouldn’t
have had you read them, and your appetite would have
been improved. But so subtle is the viciousness of
such stuff that you now don’t want to read a sweet
wholesome story like ‘Pollyanna’ or similar girls’
books. Do you suppose a mortal with a craving for
liquor or tobacco is satisfied with cold water or home-made
bread? So it is with a perverted appetite for sex
stories and thrills—you won’t content yourself with
uplifting literature but demand more and more of the
degrading kind!”

“But these books are not sex stuff!” cried Eleanor.

“Just as bad. And their influence is the same as
that created by drink or dope.”

As the Guide spoke she looked through the remainder
of the collection and sighed as she thought of
the density of some parents. “Saving a few pence for
fine clothing, and economising on reading for their
children! Clothing the exterior with ‘fine feathers,’
and feeding the mind with swill! Considering money
wasted on good reasonably priced books and squandering
wholesale, the spiritual, moral, mental and physical
fibre of their children! Never sparing a thought as to
the ultimate effects of trashy books and ignoring the
outcome of deteriorating sensations in the young because
they are so anxious to add to a savings account
for the future! Just as long as the book—white or
yellow—(mattered not) kept the reader occupied and
quiet for a time, that the mother might finish the extra
frill on the schooldress or party costume.”

As Miss Miller concluded her excited vituperation
on the prevalent disease of contagious novels, Eleanor
was too angry to reply. Finally, however, she managed
to say:

“If you had any decent story at camp I wouldn’t
have sent for any books. But I hunted that first night
and couldn’t see a single magazine or book.”

“If you had sought in the house you would have
found a great bookcase full!” retorted Jane, angry at
implied oversight.

“We-el, yes, I saw them afterward. While I was
waiting for my box to come, I read a few,” admitted
Eleanor.

“Well, what was it—did you like ’em?” asked Zan.

“Oh, I found one called ‘The Right Princess’ and
another by the same author ‘The Opened Shutters,’
that were pretty good for kid stories,” said Eleanor, as
if in apology.

“Kid story! Well, there are more grown-ups and
parents enjoy those kind of books than kids, let me tell
you!” said Jane.

“And you will find many more such books in that
case, too, Eleanor,” added Mrs. Hubert.

“Yes, I noticed them. I thought I would start and
read them if these didn’t get here soon. I did begin
one last night!” confessed Eleanor.

“I wish you would read them instead of these and
permit me to return these at once. I cannot have them
in camp at all!” said Miss Miller.

It spoke well for Eleanor’s salvation and improvement
that she agreed willingly to send back the books.
But she hesitated to admit that she had found many
books in the Hubert’s bookcase far more interesting
than the paper-covered novels she had feasted upon
hitherto.

The daily and hourly effect of associating with the
right kind of girls, and hearing good and constructive
ideas, were making an impression on this character so
like many girls who are not aware of their short-comings.
And the change was being remarked by
those about her.

Miss Miller was too wise a Guide to draw attention
to the efforts of the girl to be obliging and truthful
like those about her, but she was careful to
encourage and help Eleanor in every way she
could.

As is fully told in the book written for the Little
Woodcrafters, the girls spent July and August in
happy Woodcraft ways, and by the end of August not
only were results apparent in objects made, but the
cheerfulness and health of the Tribe proved how contented
and enjoyable had been the weeks at Woodchuck
Camp.

Then came a letter from the Doctor saying that the
men of the families planned to drive the cars to the
mountains and spend Labour Day with the Tribe. Mrs.
Baker and her camp of boys expected to come in the
doctor’s car.

“Miss Miller, we want a Grand Council if they
are all coming here. Why not invite other friends?”
said Zan.

“The ride is too expensive by train, and few have
cars, you must remember,” said the Guide.

“Well, then, let’s get up some new dances or games,
anyway,” suggested Nita.

“Humph! That isn’t the same as having company!”
grumbled Zan. But the spirit of entertaining
replaced any feeling of complaint, and the girls were
soon at work devising ways and means for a Woodcraft
programme.

That evening Miss Miller took Zan and Nita aside
and had a confidential talk with them. From the expression
of their faces the secret was most pleasing,
and during the mornings and evenings preceding
Labour Day, the two girls were up in Huberts’ loft
working on the secret plan. Miss Miller, too, was
seen only at intervals, and it was found that a farmer
from the village ten miles down the mountain-side
had brought several young turkeys with the feathers
still on. Then Billy found the feathers gone and the
birds cooked for sandwiches, but where were those
feathers?

The afternoon before the arrival of the visitors,
when the Tribe had been called together to pronounce
judgment on a new dance, Miss Miller began playing
a mandolin. As the waltz sounded two figures came
from the cabin. They represented Mr. and Mrs.
Eagle. It was Zan and Nita dressed in the Eagle
Dancer’s Dress ready to do the Eagle Dance.

The head-dress and edges of the dresses were bordered
with the missing turkey feathers, and an edging
of down as well as feathers wherever they could be
artistically placed, made the two costumes most
striking and gorgeous.

Then began the dance. The two eagles circled
about each other in a fluttering courtship. Mr. Eagle
summoned courage enough to advance while Mrs.
Eagle coyly retreated, and back and forth both danced
and circled until finally Mrs. Eagle bashfully consented
to accept the gallant’s attentions. Then he flew
over to her side and as she turned to flee once more,
Mr. Eagle enfolded her in his wings and they danced
away with heads together.

The entire dance was very well done, and the admiring
audience applauded loudly for an encore, but
Miss Miller said:

“No, I just wanted to see what you thought of it
before it was danced to-morrow. The Eagle Dance,
done by the Zuñi or Hopi Indian men, is much more
energetic but Nita makes a very good gallant, I think,
and Zan a demure and willing lady-love.”

“Indeed they do, and what is more, I want to get
a picture of the costume. Zan, will you pose by that
tree while I snap you?” said Mrs. Remington.

“And let me add: Nita and Zan can claim a coup
for that dancing costume,” said the Guide.

The Little Lodge had become so imbued with the
ambitions of the Big Lodge, that they, too, worked
hard to present their claims for admiration. Tally
Books were pasted up, bugs and butterflies, moths and
grasses, birds’ nests and leaves, twigs, rush and reed
specimens were arranged on a rustic table for exhibition.
This kept the children busy and out of the way
of the girls who bustled about preparing camp for the
Grand Council.

That week-end was perfect and word reached the
village hotel Saturday morning that a number of autos
filled with guests would need accommodations over
Sunday and Labour Day. The unusual news speedily
circulated and when the Doctor’s party rode through
the sleepy little place every villager was out and curiously
watching the sight. All those city folks at the
hotel at the same time! What would poor Mr. Haskins
do—and his wife laid up with asthma so’s you
could hear her wheeze away down the lane!

Leaving the luggage at the “hotel,” the visitors continued
to the camp ten miles further on. Here they
met a noisy welcome, and soon were seated under the
pines telling the story of their trip.

“Now then,” concluded the doctor, “if this Tribe
doesn’t appreciate our sacrifices to enable us to assist
at this Council, I shall forever after wash my hands
of them.”

“If you haven’t any vessel larger than the tin basin
in our hotel bed-room, your hands will not be washed
very well!” laughed Mrs. Baker.

Everyone laughed, too, for most of the campers
knew of the hotel which was no more than an elongated
farm-house with a lean-to added at one end
for a “ristrant.” This addition was politely called
“The Annex.”

“It’s a wonder Mr. Haskins found beds for you
all!” added Mrs. Hubert, chuckling at reminiscences.

“He didn’t!” retorted Fiji. “He dragged some
husk-mattresses into the low attic above the ‘guest
rooms’ and told us boys we had to sleep there. I have
to wash at the pump ’cause he hasn’t enough basins
to go round!”

.. ---File: 328.png

“There’s the lake—don’t draw on the limited supply
of rain-water from the pump!” laughed Mrs.
Remington.

In spite of quarters and accommodations at the
“hotel,” however, the visiting party declared they
had never had a better time than this Labour Day
Council Meeting.

The lake offered many exciting sports, swimming
and fishing not the least of them. The hiking, Councils,
games, and other diversions of camp-life filled
every moment till the early morning after Labour
Day when everyone had to rush madly about to pick
up articles over-looked in the hasty packing of baggage,
for the girls and Miss Miller were to ride back
in the cars with the visitors.

When they were gone, and the Brownies went to
say good-bye to the lake and camp-grounds, Mrs. Hubert
turned to Mrs. Remington and said:

“Well, I guess they had a good time at this camp?”

“They certainly did—a glorious Summer and filled
with good work,” replied Mrs. Remington.

“When I think of Paul over-coming his whining
ways, your little Teddy more considerate of his little
friends, Tammy losing his dependence on others, Betty
not half so shy, Billy and Edith eager to help others
instead of enjoying themselves, I say, God bless the
Brownies,” sighed Mrs. Hubert, gratefully.

“But you’ve said not a word about the Big Lodge!
How about Eleanor Wilbur? Did you ever see such
wonderful improvement in anyone? And our boys,
too. Mrs. Baker certainly deserves unlimited thanks
for the way they show camp training. Then there are
those new members, and our five old ones—perhaps
you and I show the general uplift the others do, too!”
said Mrs. Remington, smilingly.

“I may not show it but I feel it,” responded Mrs.
Hubert.

“Who can help being ‘born again’ with the simple
life in grand old forests near a lake of pure water?
Nature is the Wonder Worker in selfish, morbid, erroneous
characters, and the marvel grows as each one
rises higher and reaches out for God unconsciously
until he arrives at a resting-place. Then the mist disappears
and he catches a glimpse of the glories of the
wide horizon’s promised Heaven.”

At the last words, the key clicked in the front door
and the two ladies turned to join the rest of the party
who were following Tim toward the large touring-car
waiting at the end of the woodland path.

.. class:: center

    THE END

-----

**This Isn’t All!**

Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have
made in this book?

Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures
and experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same
author?

On the *reverse side* of the wrapper which comes with this book,
you will find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at
the same store where you got this book.

**Don’t throw away the Wrapper**

Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have.
But in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a
complete catalog.

-----

GIRL SCOUTS SERIES

By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY

Author of the “Polly Brewster Books”

Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated

Each Volume Complete in Itself.

Here is a series that holds the same position for girls that the
Tom Slade and Roy Blakeley books hold for boys. They are
delightful stores of Girl Scout camp life amid beautiful
surroundings and are filled with stirring adventures.

GIRL SCOUTS AT DANDELION CAMP

This is a story which centers around the making and the
enjoying of a mountain camp, spiced with the fun of a lively
troop of Girl Scouts. The charm of living in the woods, of
learning woodcraft of all sorts, of adventuring into the unknown,
combine to make a busy and an exciting summer
for the girls.

GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS

New scenery, new problems of camping, association with
a neighboring camp of Boy Scouts, and a long canoe trip
with them through the Fulton Chain, all in the setting of
the marvelous Adirondacks, bring to the girls enlargement
of horizon, new development, and new joys.

GIRL SCOUTS IN THE ROCKIES

On horseback from Denver through Estes Park as far as
the Continental Divide, climbing peaks, riding wild trails,
canoeing through canyons, shooting rapids, encountering a
landslide, a summer blizzard, a sand storm, wild animals,
and forest fires, the girls pack the days full with unforgettable
experiences.

GIRL SCOUTS IN ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO

The Girl Scouts visit the mountains and deserts of Arizona
and New Mexico. They travel over the old Sante Fe
trail, cross the Painted Desert, and visit the Grand Canyon.
Their exciting adventures form a most interesting story.

GIRL SCOUTS IN THE REDWOODS

The girls spend their summer in the Redwoods of California
and incidentally find a way to induce a famous motion
picture director in Hollywood to offer to produce a
film that stars the Girl Scouts of America.

GROSSET & DUNLAP. :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK

-----

THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES

By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY

Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.

Every Volume Complete in Itself.

A delightful series for girls in which they will follow
Polly and Eleanor through many interesting
adventures and enjoyable trips to various places in
the United States, Europe and South America.

   | POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT
   | POLLY AND ELEANOR
   | POLLY IN NEW YORK
   | POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD
   | POLLY’S BUSINESS VENTURE
   | POLLY’S SOUTHERN CRUISE
   | POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA
   | POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST
   | POLLY IN ALASKA

GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK

-----

THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES

By LAURA LEE HOPE

Author of the “Bobbsey Twins,” “Bunny Brown” Series, Etc.

Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.

Every Volume Complete in Itself.

These tales take in the various adventures participated
in by several bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life.

   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE;
   | Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE;
   | Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR;
   | Or, The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP;
   | Or, Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA;
   | Or, Wintering in the Sunny South.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW;
   | Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND;
   | Or, A Cave and What it Contained.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE;
   | Or, Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE;
   | Or, Doing Their Best For the Soldiers.    
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT;
   | Or, A Wreck and A Rescue.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE;
   | Or, The Hermit of Moonlight Falls.    
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE;
   | Or, The Girl Miner of Gold Run.
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE;
   | Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains.   
   | 
   | THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD;
   | Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock.
   
-----

THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS
 
By LAURA LEE HOPE

Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations by THELMA GOOCH

Every Volume Complete in Itself

The Blythe girls, three in number, were left alone in New York
City. Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat
uptown, while Margy just out of a business school, obtained a
position as a private secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and
businesslike, took what she called a “job” in a department store.

THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE; Or, Facing the Great World.

A fascinating tale of real happenings in the great metropolis.

THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S QUEER INHERITANCE; Or, The Worth of a Name.

The girls had a peculiar old aunt and when she died she left
an unusual inheritance. This tale continues the struggles of all
the girls for existence.

THE BLYTHE GIRLS; ROSE’S GREAT PROBLEM; Or, Face to Face With a Crisis.

Rose still at work in the big department store, is one day
faced with the greatest problem of her life. A tale of mystery
as well as exciting girlish happenings.

THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN’S STRANGE BOARDER; Or, The Girl From Bronx Park.

Helen, out sketching, goes to the assistance of a strange girl,
whose real identity is a puzzle to all the Blythe girls. Who the
girl really was comes as a tremendous surprise.

THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION; Or, The Mystery at Peach Farm.

The girls close their flat and go to the country for two weeks—and
fall in with all sorts of curious and exciting happenings.
How they came to the assistance of Joe Morris, and solved a
queer mystery, is well related.

GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK

-----

THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS

Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.

Every Volume Complete in Itself.

Lilian Garis is one of the writers who always wrote. She expressed
herself in verse from early school days and it was then predicted that
Lilian Mack would one day become a writer. Justifying this sentiment,
while still at high school, she took charge of the woman’s page for a
city paper and her work there attracted such favorable attention that
she left school to take entire charge of the woman’s page for the
largest daily in an important Eastern city.

Mrs. Garis turned to girls’ books directly after her marriage,
and of these she has written many. She believes in girls, studies
them and depicts them with pen both skilled and sympathetic.

   | BARBARA HALE: A DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER
   | BARBARA HALE AND COZETTE
   | GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD
   | GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL
   | JOAN: JUST GIRL
   | JOAN’S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE
   | CONNIE LORING’S AMBITION
   | CONNIE LORING’S DILEMMA

GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK

-----

CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS

Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.

THE MARJORIE BOOKS

Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to
mischief, but full of goodness and sincerity. In her
and her friends every girl reader will see much of
her own love of fun, play and adventure.

   | MARJORIE’S VACATION
   | MARJORIE’S BUSY DAYS
   | MARJORIE’S NEW FRIEND
   | MARJORIE IN COMMAND
   | MARJORIE’S MAYTIME
   | MARJORIE AT SEACOTE

THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES

Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde,
sweet, serious, timid and a little slow, and Dorothy
Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, high
tempered, full of mischief and always getting into
scrapes.

   | TWO LITTLE WOMEN
   | TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE
   | TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY

THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS

Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their
games, their pranks, their joys and sorrows, are told
in a manner which makes the stories “really true”
to young readers.

   | DICK AND DOLLY
   | DICK AND DOLLY’S ADVENTURES

GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK

-----

THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS

By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE

Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by
WALTER S. ROGERS

A new line of fascinating tales for little girls. Honey Bunch is
a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to take her
to your heart at once.

HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL

Happy days at home, helping mamma and the washerlady. And Honey
Bunch helped the house painters too—or thought she did.

HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY

What wonderful sights Honey Bunch saw when she went to visit her
cousins in New York! And she got lost in a big hotel and wandered into
a men’s convention!

HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM

Can you remember how the farm looked the first time you visited it?
How big the cows and horses were, and what a roomy place to play in the
barn proved to be?

HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE

Honey Bunch soon got used to the big waves and thought playing in the
sand great fun. And she visited a merry-go-round, and took part in a sea-side
pageant.

HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN

It was great sport to dig and to plant with one’s own little garden tools.
But best of all was when Honey Bunch won a prize at the flower show.

HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP

It was a great adventure for Honey Bunch when she journeyed to Camp
Snapdragon. It was wonderful to watch the men erect the tent, and more
wonderful to live in it and have good times on the shore and in the water.

GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK

-----

THE RIDDLE CLUB BOOKS

By ALICE DALE HARDY

Individual Colored Wrappers. Attractively Illustrated.

Every Volume Complete in Itself.

Here is as ingenious a series of books for little folks as has
ever appeared since “Alice in Wonderland.” The idea of the Riddle
books is a little group of children—three girls and three boys
decide to form a riddle club. Each book is full of the adventures
and doings of these six youngsters, but as an added attraction
each book is filled with a lot of the best riddles you ever
heard.

THE RIDDLE CLUB AT HOME

An absorbing tale that all boys and girls will enjoy reading.
How the members of the club fixed up a clubroom in the Larue
barn, and how they, later on, helped solve a most mysterious
happening, and how one of the members won a valuable prize,
is told in a manner to please every young reader.

THE RIDDLE CLUB IN CAMP

The club members went into camp on the edge of a beautiful
lake. Here they had rousing good times swimming, boating
and around the campfire. They fell in with a mysterious old man
known as The Hermit of Triangle Island. Nobody knew his
real name or where he came from until the propounding of a
riddle solved these perplexing questions.

THE RIDDLE CLUB THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

This volume takes in a great number of winter sports, including
skating and sledding and the building of a huge snowman.
It also gives the particulars of how the club treasurer lost the
dues entrusted to his care and what the melting of the great
snowman revealed.

THE RIDDLE CLUB AT SUNRISE BEACH

This volume tells how the club journeyed to the seashore and
how they not only kept up their riddles but likewise had good
times on the sand and on the water. Once they got lost in a fog
and are marooned on an island. Here they made a discovery
that greatly pleased the folks at home.

GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK
   
-----
   
THE JERRY TODD SERIES
 
By LEO EDWARDS
 
Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers For Each Story

Every Volume Complete in Itself

Detective stories for boys!

Jerry Todd and his trusty pals solve many a baffling mystery in
their home town, much to the amusement of all who read of their
adventures.

JERRY TODD AND THE WHISPERING MUMMY

Having been duly appointed “Juvenile Jupiter Detectives” Jerry Todd
and his trusty pals little realize how fast things are going to happen. First
comes the amazing adventure in the museum in Tutter College. Did the
mummy actually whisper? And did it later vanish of its own accord?

JERRY TODD AND THE ROSE-COLORED CAT

Cats by the dozens; cats by the hundreds; and most important of all, a
mysterious five-hundred dollar rose-colored cat. Then comes the lamentable
accident to Lady Victoria’s aristocratic tail; the operation; the overdose
of chloroform; the funeral. There is a laugh on every page.

JERRY TODD AND THE OAK ISLAND TREASURE

Jerry Todd and his pals set themselves up in the show business by transforming
a disused clay scow of Mr. Todd’s into a floating theatre. And a very
wonderful show it is! Certainly it leads the boys into exceptional adventures.

JERRY TODD AND THE WALTZING HEN

That strange hen? Why does it waltz? And what is the secret of the
prowling peril? Then, even as the Hindu had earlier died so quickly and
mysteriously, the boys’ old friend disappears. Then comes the final ludicrous
climax.

JERRY TODD AND THE TALKING FROG

Jerry Todd and his chums leagued together to help another boy save a
peculiar invention of his father’s, a talking frog, from thieving hands,—wait
breathlessly in the lonely brick house where the puzzle maker had met with
such a strange death. Fun and mystery here!

GROSSET & DUNLAP, :small-caps:`Publishers`, NEW YORK

|
|
|
|
|

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\*\*\* END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS IN THE CITY \*\*\*

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