THE COUNCIL FIRE
The girls of the Manasquan Camp Fire did little that day except to cook
their meals and keep the camp in order. The order to unpack had come,
fortunately, in time to save a lot of trouble, since very little had
been done toward preparing to move, and, when it was all over, Eleanor
called the girls together, and told them just what had happened.
"There is a fine lesson for all of us in that," she said. "If Bessie had
been weak, she might very well have been tempted to say what General
Seeley wanted her to say. She knew she hadn't done anything wrong--and
she said so. But she was told that if she would confess she wouldn't be
punished, or even scolded, and still she would not do it, even when she
found that it meant trouble for her and for us. And, you see, she earned
the reward of doing the right thing, for the truth came out. And it
will happen that way most of the time--ninety-nine times out of a
hundred, I believe."
"I should think you'd be perfectly furious at Jake Hoover, Bessie," said
Zara. "He makes trouble for you all the time. Here he got you blamed for
something he'd done again, and nearly spoiled things just when they were
beginning to look better."
"But he didn't know that, Zara. He did something wrong, but he couldn't
have known that I was going to be blamed for it, you know."
"Aren't you angry at him at all?"
"Yes, for killing that beautiful bird with his horrid snare. But I'm
sorry for him, too. I think he didn't know any better."
"What will happen to him, do you think, Bessie! Will he be sent to
prison?"
"I don't believe so. General Seeley is a kind man, and I think he'll try
to make Jake understand how wrong it was to act so, and send him home. I
certainly hope so."
"I don't see why. I should think you'd want him to be punished. He's
done so many mean things without being found out that when he is caught,
he ought to get what he deserves."
"But it wouldn't be punishing just him, you see, Zara. It would be hard
for Paw Hoover, too, and you know how good he was to us. If it hadn't
been for him I don't believe we'd ever have got to Pine Bridge at all."
"Yes, that's so. He was good to us, Bessie. I'd like to see him again,
and tell him so. But I can't--not if Farmer Weeks can get me if I ever
go back into that state."
"There's another thing to think of, too, Zara, about Jake. He's more
likely to be found out now, when he does something wrong."
"Oh, yes, that's true, isn't it? I hadn't thought of that. He won't be
able to make Maw Hoover think you did everything now, when you're not
there, will he?"
"That's just what I mean. And maybe, when she finds that the things she
used to blame me for keep on happening just the same, though I'm not
there, she'll see that I never did do them at all. It looked pretty bad
for me this morning, Zara, but you see it came out all right. And I'm
beginning to think now that other things will turn out right, too, just
as Miss Eleanor's been saying they would."
"Oh, I do hope so! There's Miss Eleanor coming now."
"Well, girls, have you chosen your fire names yet?" asked the Guardian.
"You'll have to be ready to tell us to-night at the big fire you know,
when you get your rings."
"Why, I hadn't thought about it, even. Had you, Zara?"
"Yes, I had. I think I'd like to be called by a name that would make
people think of being happy and cheerful. Is there an Indian word that
would do that?"
"Perhaps. But why don't you make up a new word for yourself, as we made
up Wo-he-lo? You could take the first letters of happy and cheerful,
and call yourself Hachee. That sounds like an Indian word, though it
really isn't. And what for a symbol?"
"I think a chipmunk is the happiest, cheerfulest thing I know."
"That's splendid! You can be Hachee, and your symbol shall be the
chipmunk. You've done well, Zara. I don't think you'll ever want to burn
your name."
"What is that? Burning one's name?" inquired Zara.
"Sometimes a girl chooses a name and later she doesn't like it. Then, at
a Council Fire, she writes that name, the one she wants to give up, on a
slip of paper, and it's thrown into the fire. And after that she is
never called by it again."
"Oh, I see. No, I like my new name and I'll want to keep that, I know."
"I've always liked the name of Stella--that means a star, doesn't
it?--so that my name and my symbol could be the same, if I took that."
"Yes, Bessie. That's a good choice, too. You shall be Stella, when we
are using the ceremonial names. Well, that's settled, then. You must
learn to repeat the Wood-Gatherer's desire to-night--and after that you
will get your rings, and then you will be real Camp Fire Girls, like the
rest of us."
Then she left them, because there was much for her to do, and that
afternoon Bessie and Zara made very sure that they knew the
Wood-Gatherer's desire, and learned all that the other girls could tell
them about the law of the fire, and all the other things they wanted to
know. But they waited anxiously for it to be time to light the great
Council Fire.
All afternoon the Wood-Gatherers worked, gathering the fagots for the
fire, and arranging them neatly. They were built up so that there was a
good space for a draught under the wood, in order that the fire, once it
was lighted, might burn clear and bright. A cloudless summer sky gave
promise of a beautiful starlit night, so that there was no danger of a
repetition of the disappointment of the previous night--which, however,
everyone had already forgotten.
After supper, when it was quite dark, the space around the pile was left
empty. Then Mrs. Chester, in her ceremonial Indian robes, stood up in
the centre, near the fire, and one by one the different Camp Fires, led
by their Guardians, came in, singing slowly.
As each girl passed before her, Mrs. Chester made the sign of the Fire,
by raising her right hand slowly, in a sweeping gesture, after first
crossing its fingers against those of the left hand. Each girl returned
the sign and then passed to her place in the great circle about the
fagots, where she sat down.
When all the girls were seated, Mrs. Chester spoke.
"The Manasquan Camp Fire has the honor of lighting our Council Fire
to-night," she said. "Ayu!"
And Ayu stepped forward. She had with her the simple tools that are
required for making fire in the Indian fashion. It is not enough, as
some people believe, to rub two sticks together, and Bessie and Zara,
who had never seen this trick played before, watched her with great
interest. Ayu had, first, a block of wood, not very thick, in which a
notch had been cut. In this notch she rested a long, thin stick, and on
top of that was a small piece of wood, in which the stick or drill
rested. And, last of all, she had a bow, with a leather thong, which was
slipped around the drill.
When everything was ready Ayu, holding down the fire block with one
foot, held the socket of the drill with the left hand, while with the
right she drew the bow rapidly back and forth. In less than a minute
there was a tiny spark. Then rapidly growing, flame appeared and a
moment later, along the carefully prepared tinder, the fire ran to the
kindling beneath the fagots. And then, as the flames rose and began to
curl about the fagots all the girls began to sing together the Camp Fire
Girl Ode to Fire:
"Oh Fire!
Long years ago when our fathers fought with great
animals you were their protection.
From the cruel cold of winter you saved them.
When they needed food you changed the flesh of beasts
into savory food for them.
During all the ages your mysterious flame has been a
symbol to them for Spirit.
So to-night we light our fire in remembrance of the
Great Spirit who gave you to us."
Then each Guardian called the roll of her Camp Fire, and as each girl's
ceremonial name was called she answered, "Kolah!"
"That means _friend_," someone whispered to Bessie and Zara.
"We are to receive two new members to-night," said Mrs. Chester, then.
"Wanaka, they come in your Camp Fire. Will you initiate them into the
Camp Fire circle?"
Then she sat down, and Wanaka took her place in the centre. Bessie and
Zara understood that it was time for them to step forward, and they
stood out in the dancing light of the fire, which was roaring up now,
and casting its light into the shadows about the circle. All the girls
stood up.
Bessie came first, and Wanaka turned to her.
"Is it your desire to become a Camp Fire Girl and follow the law of the
Fire?"
And Bessie, who had been taught the form to be followed, answered:
"It is my desire to become a Camp Fire Girl and to obey the law of the
Camp Fire, which is to Seek Beauty, Give Service, Pursue Knowledge, Be
Trustworthy, Hold on to Health, Glorify Work, Be Happy. This law of the
Camp Fire I will strive to follow."
Then she held out her left hand, and Eleanor took it, saying:
"In the name of the Camp Fire Girls of America, I place on the little
finger of your left hand this ring, with its design of seven fagots,
symbolic of the seven points of the law of the Fire, which you have
expressed your desire to follow, and of the three circles on either
side, symbolic of the three watchwords of this organization--Work,
Health, and Love. And--
"As fagots are brought from the forest
Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
So cleave to these others, your sisters,
Whoever, whenever, you find them.
"Be strong as the fagots are sturdy;
Be pure in your deepest desire;
Be true to the truth that is in you;
And--follow the law of the Fire."
Then, as Bessie, or Stella, as, at the Council Fire she was to be known
thereafter, made her way back to her place, all the girls sang the
Wo-he-lo song by way of welcoming her as one of them.
Then it was Zara's turn, and the same beautiful ceremony was repeated
for her.
"Now the Snug Harbor Camp Fire is going to entertain us with some new
Indian dances they have learned," said Mrs. Chester. "I am sure we will
all enjoy that."
And they did. No Indian girls ever danced with the grace and beauty that
those young American girls put into their interpretation of the
old-fashioned dances, which made all the other Camp Fires determine to
try to learn them, too. And after that there was a talk from Mrs.
Chester on the purpose of the organization. Then, finally, taps sounded,
and the Council Fire was over.
"So you really are Camp Fire Girls," said Eleanor, to the two new
members. "Soon we shall be back in the city and there I am sure that
many things will happen to you. Some of them will be hard, but you will
get through them all right. And remember we mean to help you, no matter
what happens. Zara shall have her father back, and we will do all we
can, Bessie, to help you find your parents. Good-night!"
"Good-night!"
Every Child's Library
* * * * *
No child has come into his full and rightful heritage in the world of
books until he has read the stories comprising
Every Child's Library
HEIDI--_Spyri_
TREASURE ISLAND--_Stevenson_
EAST O' THE SUN AND WEST O' THE MOON--_Dasent_
HANS BRINKER--_Dodge_
THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON--_Wyss_
ROBINSON CRUSOE--_Defoe_
PINOCCHIO--_D. Collodi_
ROBIN HOOD--_Gilbert_
KING ARTHUR FOR BOYS--_Gilbert_
ANIMAL STORIES--_P. T. Barnum_
KIDNAPPED--_Stevenson_
CORNELLI, HER CHILDHOOD--_Spyri_
A CHRISTMAS CAROL--_Dickens_
A DOG OF FLANDERS--_Ouida_
THE CUCKOO CLOCK--_Molesworth_
JIM DAVIS--_Masefield_
AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND--_MacDonald_
THE PRINCESS AND CURDIE--_MacDonald_
THE PRINCESS AND THE GOBLIN--_MacDonald_
BLACK BEAUTY--_Sewell_
MAXA'S CHILDREN--_Spyri_
A LITTLE SWISS BOY--_Spyri_
UNCLE TITUS IN THE COUNTRY--_Spyri_
THE BLACK ARROW--_Stevenson_
THE RED FAIRY BOOK--_Lang_
THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK--_Lang_
GRANNY'S WONDERFUL CHAIR--_Browne_
LITTLE MEN--_Alcott_
AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL--_Alcott_
Each volume is well illustrated, is bound in cloth and has a jacket in
colors.
* * * * *
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO.
AKRON, OHIO
The Companion Series
These books will in truth prove companions to the child through many a
happy reading hour and grow into memory companions for later life,
enriching all the years.
The type is large and plain, the books are exceptionally
illustrated--most of them having a hundred or more illustrations which
add keen zest to the stories.
LITTLE WOMEN--_Alcott_
LITTLE MEN--_Alcott_
AN OLD-FASHIONED GIRL--_Alcott_
HEIDI--_Spyri_
A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES--_Stevenson_
CORNELLI, HER CHILDHOOD--_Spyri_
MAXA'S CHILDREN--_Spyri_
UNCLE TITUS IN THE COUNTRY--_Spyri_
A LITTLE SWISS BOY--_Spyri_
EVERY DAY BIBLE STORIES--_Pollard_
ARABIAN NIGHTS
GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES
ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND--_Carroll_
Bound in boards, frontispiece in colors, cover and jacket in colors,
size 6-3/4 x 9 inches.
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO.
AKRON, OHIO
John Newbery Series
Early in the 18th century John Newbery was born in a little Berkshire
village in England, and became a bookman in the old St. Paul's
churchyard.
It was he who first believed children needed books of their own, and he
set about to supply that need. Many of the old stories, quaint jingles
and nursery rhymes we have today are due to him. It is therefore
peculiarly fitting this series, comprising the best written for
childhood, should bear his name.
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN--_Robert Browning_
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN RIVER--_John Ruskin_
MONI, THE GOAT BOY--_Johanna Spyri_
FAIRY TALE GIANTS
FAIRY TALE PRINCES
FAIRY TALE PRINCESSES
A DOG OF FLANDERS--_Louisa de la Ramee_ (_Ouida_)
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW--_Washington Irving_
RIP VAN WINKLE--_Washington Irving_
THE NURNBERG STOVE--_Louisa de la Ramee_ (_Ouida_)
THE ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE--_Miss Mulock_
CHILD VERSES--_Eugene Field_
These books are well bound in cloth, are profusely illustrated, have a
colored frontispiece and a colored jacket, and contain 92 pages each.
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING CO.
AKRON, OHIO
The Billy Whiskers Series
* * * * *
As Originated by
FRANCES TREGO MONTGOMERY
Mrs. Montgomery has the happy faculty of knowing just what the small boy
and his sister like in stories, and the added ability of giving it to
them. Her ideas are touched with the sparkle of real genius and little
folks find it a delight to travel in her company. These adventures of a
frolicsome goat never fail to please.
Twenty-five Volumes
BILLY WHISKERS
BILLY WHISKERS' KIDS
BILLY WHISKERS, JUNIOR
BILLY WHISKERS' TRAVELS
BILLY WHISKERS AT THE CIRCUS
BILLY WHISKERS AT THE FAIR
BILLY WHISKERS' FRIENDS
BILLY WHISKERS, JR., AND HIS CHUMS
BILLY WHISKERS' GRANDCHILDREN
BILLY WHISKERS' VACATION
BILLY WHISKERS KIDNAPPED
BILLY WHISKERS' TWINS
BILLY WHISKERS IN AN AEROPLANE
BILLY WHISKERS IN TOWN
BILLY WHISKERS OUT WEST
BILLY WHISKERS IN THE SOUTH
BILLY WHISKERS' ADVENTURES
BILLY WHISKERS IN THE MOVIES
BILLY WHISKERS OUT FOR FUN
BILLY WHISKERS' FROLICS
BILLY WHISKERS AT HOME
BILLY WHISKERS' PRANKS
BILLY WHISKERS IN MISCHIEF
BILLY WHISKERS AND THE RADIO
BILLY WHISKERS' TREASURE HUNT
Quarto, six full color illustrations and many black-and-white drawings,
bound in cloth, colored jacket. Price, $1.25 each.
* * * * *
THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY,
AKRON, OHIO
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.