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[Illustration: _DECORATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL._]
The
Woodcraft Girls
in the City
BY
LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
AUTHOR OF
THE WOODCRAFT GIRLS AT CAMP,
LITTLE WOODCRAFTER'S BOOK,
THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS, Etc.
ILLUSTRATED
NEW YORK
GROSSET & DUNLAP
PUBLISHERS
COPYRIGHT, 1918,
BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Acknowledgments are made to Mrs. M. F. Hoisington for the photographs;
to G. Shirmer, Music Publishers, for "Our America"; to W. V. Becker for
the legends from his "Folk-lore Stories"; to _Christian Science
Sentinel_ for "Items of Interest," and to other friends who co-operated
to make this book interesting to young readers.
Contents
- CHAPTER ONE--CAMPING IN THE CITY
- CHAPTER TWO--THE NEW MEMBERS
- CHAPTER THREE--HEARD IN THE "SCENIC FOREST"
- CHAPTER FOUR--THE ESKIMO INDIAN LEGEND
- CHAPTER FIVE--A PRIZE CHEST
- CHAPTER SIX--THE LOST CAMPERS
- CHAPTER SEVEN--CAMPING SPORTS OF A WEEK-END
- CHAPTER EIGHT--QUIET WAYS FOR SUNDAY
- CHAPTER NINE--A RAINY WEEK-END CAMP
- CHAPTER TEN--IN FALLING LEAF MOON
- CHAPTER ELEVEN--CAMP AT ALPINE FALLS
- CHAPTER TWELVE--A BIRTHDAY COUNCIL ON HALLOW E'EN
- CHAPTER THIRTEEN--INDOOR WOODCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT
- CHAPTER FOURTEEN--WINTER WOODCRAFT WORK
- CHAPTER FIFTEEN--SOME WEEK-END CAMPS
- CHAPTER SIXTEEN--THE ADIRONDACK CAMP
CHAPTER ONE--CAMPING IN THE CITY
"Girls--guess what?" exclaimed Zan Baker, a few days after the return of
the Woodcraft Band from their summer camp on Wickeecheokee Farm.
"Goodness only knows what you have to tell now!" laughed Jane Hubert,
another of the five girls who founded Wako Tribe.
"Well, I got it direct, so the truth hasn't been turned or twisted by
any one of you girls before it was passed along," retorted Zan, with a
gleam of mischief in her eyes.
"Oh, is that so! Well let me tell you this much: if I had the rare
imagination that you have, Zan, I'd compete with Jules Verne," replied
Hilda Alvord, the matter-of-fact member of the Band.
"Judging from the talent Zan has in telling stories it won't surprise us
very much to hear she is a popular authoress," teased Nita Brampton, the
social aspirant of the group.
"I'll illustrate Zan's books," quickly added Elena Marsh, the fifth
member of the Woodcrafters.
"Sort of shine in my reflected glory, eh?" laughed Zan, good-naturedly,
for all the girls enjoyed this form of badinage.
"Girls, girls! This isn't hearing the 'wextry' news Zan holds cornered!
Give her a chance, won't you?" begged Nita.
"It's this: Miss Miller wants us to have tea with her, to discuss plans
for our Winter Camp and to consider the advisability of admitting
another Band so we can apply for a Charter of our Wako Tribe," announced
Zan, with due satisfaction.
"When is the party?" eagerly questioned her hearers.
"Friday afternoon about four; and she also said that if we cared to
invite some of the other girls who are crazy to join Woodcraft to meet
us in the evening to hear our Summer Reports read, she thought it might
give them a fine opportunity to really understand what Woodcraft did for
us during the few months we spent in Camp," explained Zan.
"Miss Miller can count on me being there right on time!" declared Jane,
with a determined bob of her head.
"Me too!" added Nita.
"It isn't likely Hilda and I are going to be absent," laughed Elena.
Thus it came about that promptly at four o'clock on Friday afternoon the
five happy girls stood waiting at the door of the apartment occupied by
their Woodcraft Guide. As Miss Miller's professional business in life
was teaching physical culture to the High School girls at the gymnasium
of Clinton High, the honourary office as Guide in Woodcraft was more
like play to the efficient instructor.
Immediately after the bell rang to announce the visitors, the door was
opened and a cheery voice called, "Come right in, girls."
"Dear me, Miss Miller, isn't it just too hot for anything? And after our
lovely cool Bluff down at Wickeecheokee!" sighed Nita, as soon as they
were seated in the front room.
"I will admit that city life certainly is an unpleasant change from
camping in the woods," replied Miss Miller, taking the hats from her
girls and handing them each a fan.
"I couldn't sleep a wink last night in our stuffy city rooms!" exclaimed
Hilda who lived with her mother and younger brother in the ordinary
regulation flat.
"I didn't either. I just gasped all night for some air," added Elena.
"Well what are we going to do? We can't move the Bluff to the City and
we live in so-called modern homes where the only windows open front and
back--all except Jane's and my house where there is an extra city lot on
the side so we can have light from additional windows on the sides,"
commented Zan, thoughtfully.
"It is odd that you girls should speak of this matter the very first
thing, because it is one of the things I wanted to talk over with you
before any new members join our Band. If you all approve of the plan I
thought out it not only will give us air enough at night but will offer
the new Woodcraft members an opportunity to win their _coups_ for
sleeping out-of-doors for the required number of nights," said the
Guide.
"Oh do tell us what it is?" cried Zan.
"It must take its place in the order of business," rejoined Miss Miller;
"now let us open Council in the regular way, girls."
"It won't seem much like a Council in the regular way without a fire and
the preliminary lighting of it," complained Nita, who was the
fault-finder of the Band but was fast out-growing such tendencies.
"Why I thought you girls all knew how to light the indoors Council Fire
without the slightest danger of destroying anything about you!"
commented Miss Miller, as she went to a small cabinet in the corner,
where most of her Woodcraft material was kept.
Taking out a small shallow pan and an earthen bowl, the Guide displayed
a squirrel's nest and some wild-wood material in the pan. "I brought
this from the farm for just such an occasion," said she, smiling, as she
placed the earthen bowl on a bread-board and handed the pan to Hilda,
thus silently authorising her to help make fire for that Council.
"Does the bread-board signify anything?" laughed Jane, the tease of the
group.
"Not having the logs or imitation fire-place for the centre of the
Council Ring, I thought the next best thing would be a square of wood
upon which to stand the dish. Then too, the bread-board gave me a good
idea which I will mention later," said the Guide.
While she explained, Miss Miller had gone to the cupboard for the
rubbing sticks and the necessary block and fire-pan of wood. All being
ready for the ceremony, Zan, who was Chief of the Band and Tribe, began.
The usual call to join in a Council was said and the girls sat down upon
straw mats in a circle about the fire-board. Miss Miller proceeded to
make fire with the rubbing sticks and as the faint spiral of smoke was
seen to rise from the tiny heap of wood-powder, the Woodcrafters called
"How!"
The smoke thickened and the pungent odour of balsam permeated the room.
When the spark hidden under the black dust ignited the dry tinder held
close to it and a tiny fork of flame shot up, the girls exclaimed, "How!
How!" which is the Woodcraft sign of approval.
The fire was now placed in the earthen dish and as the wild-wood tinder,
that was placed on top of the fire flared up, the dish was placed on the
board.
"We will now sing the Omaha Tribal Prayer," continued the Chief, and the
girls stood up to sing while the fire burned in the centre of their
Council Ring.
Elena Marsh, the artistic member of the Band and the chosen Tally
Keeper, now read the reports and mentioned a few items of interest that
had occurred since leaving the Camp on the Bluff.
"Now we can hear the Guide's important plan," said Zan, who as Chief of
the Tribe, was not compelled to ask permission to address the Council as
all other members have to do.
"O Chief! Even as our Guide spoke of a plan, I had a wild idea flash
through my mind and I wonder if it comes anywhere near to being Miss
Miller's idea," said Jane.
"Share it with your brethren and if it isn't too wild to harness we may
train it to do good service for us," said Zan.
"Well, you see, there's Nita and you and me--we all have goodly sized
grass-places back of our houses. Why couldn't we raise some tents as
long as the weather is good and camp out there at night?" said Jane
exultantly, for she thought she had anticipated the Guide's plan.
"That's all right, Jane, but maybe Hilda and Elena and Miss Miller
wouldn't care to trot from their homes every night to sleep in our back
yards," replied Zan, ludicrously as usual.
The others laughed at the picture outlined by her words, and Miss Miller
added: "I think we have a more important problem than camps just now.
Let us decide about the new Band first and discuss the out-door sleeping
question afterward."
"I thought you wanted us to settle the matter before the new members
join us to-night?" returned Nita.
"So I do, but let us first find out who the new members will be, and
then we can better judge whether they will accept this camping-out-doors
idea," answered the Guide.
"Frances and Anne Mason told me to be sure and vote them in at this
meeting. They are just crazy to join," declared Jane Hubert.
"And Eleanor Wilbur wants to join us," said Nita.
"Mildred Howell told Fiji to tell me not to forget and propose her,"
ventured Zan.
"And I know that Ethel Clifford wants to belong to our first Band,"
added Elena.
"Well girls, you each have your new member to win a _coup_, but I
haven't much time out of school to meet the girls, as there is so much
work to do at home. Jack Hubert said this noon that May Randall was
asking for me before I met him. If she will let me propose her I can
keep up with you on this _coup_," said Hilda, whose mother was a trained
nurse, thus letting most of the care of the home fall upon Hilda's
shoulders.
"She told me that that is why she wants to see you," said Jane.
"That is very considerate of May Randall," commended Miss Miller.
"Yes, and it recommends her for membership," added Zan.
The other girls agreed with this suggestion, and the Guide then said:
"That will make eleven girls in all--counting you five. I think that
ought to be enough to work with this Fall," and Miss Miller began to
write down the names of the six members proposed.
"But there are loads of other girls who want to join us, Miss Miller,"
objected Zan.
"I suppose there are, but better not add too many new members at one
time, Zan; it will tend to divert your attention from your own progress,
and individual work is most important to you at this period in
Woodcraft. Were you all experienced or old members of the organisation,
I would approve of enlisting the full number of members required for a
Tribe," explained the Guide.
"How long will we have to wait before we can be a Tribe?" asked Nita,
petulantly.
"If this experiment with the new members turns out well by Christmas, I
should think we might start the second Band," replied Miss Miller.
"Goodness, can't we start a Tribe before that?" cried Jane, impatiently.
"I thought the same as Jane--that we would be Wickeecheokee Band and the
new members be Suwanee Band, and then the two Bands get the charter for
Wako Tribe," added Zan, in a disappointed tone.
"Some Woodcrafters have done that and found to their despair that the
new Band knew nothing of the work or laws and were continually calling
upon the first Band for help, but not being under the old Chief the
first Band had nothing to say about disciplining or advising them. If
the new members are subject to our Chief, they have to obey orders and
can watch our methods of work for their guidance, and that will spare us
many useless words and much valuable time."
"Well, as usual, Miss Miller wins the day! Her reasons are as sensible
as helpful," commented Jane.
"Good-by Suwanee, I'll meet you next year!" sighed Zan, wafting a kiss
with the tips of her fingers to an imaginary Band.
"Girls, wherever did you find that name? I hunted through an Indian
Dictionary of names but couldn't find a thing like it," asked Miss
Miller, laughingly.
"If a simple little symbolic name like that stumps you, Miss Miller,
what will happen when you join the Blackfeet Tribe?" laughed Jane.
"Miss Miller, you know the usual formula given in charades--they begin
thus: 'My first is part of a name, you see, my second is also a part, O
gee!' and so on," explained Zan, while the other girls laughed.
The Guide puckered her brow for a few moments and the visitors watched
eagerly for her to catch Zan's meaning. Then she laughed, too.
"I see! Su--comes from Suzanne, the name of our Chief, but so seldom
used that I forgot she ever had another handle to it than just 'Zan.' I
must give up the rest of the charade, however."
"Maybe it is buried so deep that the uninitiated cannot dig it up, but
we girls thought it quite simple: 'Su' for the Chief, as you said; 'Wa'
for Wako Tribe--plain enough; and 'nee' for all the other members who
are willing to change their names from white man's ways to the Indian's
with its wealth of meaning and beauty."
As Zan explained, the Guide shook her head as if to admit that it
certainly had been buried far beyond her power to dig.
"But it sounds pretty, girls," said she finally.
"Mayhap we will have an improvement on that name before the Band comes
into existence, who knows!" sighed Jane.
"The sooner we start with the new members, then, the quicker we will
know about the second Band," retorted Zan.
"Shall we vote now to invite the six girls mentioned?" asked Elena with
Tally Book ready to inscribe the names.
The motion was made and seconded that the names of the six applicants be
written on the roll and that evening they would be questioned and
admitted if acceptable to the Chief and Guide.
"Now Miss Miller, if there is nothing else to consider let us hear about
your idea for a camp in the city," said Zan.
"When I came into this apartment yesterday afternoon, its stuffiness
struck me much the same as you girls said: 'Close and airless.' The
windows were all open but that didn't seem to make any difference. While
still gasping for the cool breezes of Wickeecheokee I went to my den in
the back room and as I stood by the window that opens out on the roof of
the extension downstairs, I made a discovery! Last night I slept as
comfortably out-of-doors as if on the Bluff, and this morning the
English sparrows woke me with their chattering under the eaves three
stories above."
"Miss Miller! Do tell us what you did?" exclaimed the curious girls.
"Well, first I took a crex rug from the floor and laid it on the
extension roof to protect the tin from the feet of a cot-bed. Then I
carried out a four-fold screen and with the smaller three-fold screen
from my den, I made suitable protection about the cot. The camp-cot that
I keep in case of an unexpected guest remaining over-night was small and
light, and provided me a good place to rest. The whole affair, screens,
cot, and mat, took up but half of the small roof and early this morning
I slipped back through the open window and dressed, having enjoyed a
fine cooling breeze all night."
"Oh!" sounded the surprised five girls.
"You must have slept like a multi-millionaire on his sea-going yacht,"
laughed Zan.
"I did, and without fear of going to the bottom by a torpedo from a
submarine," retorted Miss Miller.
"We have a wonderful roof on the back verandah--all decked and railed
in," remarked Jane, mentally picturing a row of tents on that desirable
camp-site.
"I could use the rear porch that opens from our dining-room windows,"
added Nita.
"We have a box-like porch on the second floor that has a back-stair
going down from it. It is screened in and can be used for a
sleeping-place, I s'pose," murmured Elena.
"Our flat-house was built soon after Noah landed so we have no
sleeping-porch, but I might hang a cot from the fire-escape--until the
police make me take it down," ventured Hilda, with a thoughtful manner.
The others shouted with merriment at the idea of big muscular Hilda
swinging from a fire-escape over the street.
"I have my lodging all planned out," now said Zan. "I shall utilise that
square of side-piazza roof over the entrance to Dad's office. It has a
two-foot high coping about it and that makes it perfectly safe for me in
the dark. I can use a screen, too, to hide the cot from the street."
"You girls have all caught my last-night's idea so suddenly that I
haven't had an opportunity to continue explaining," interrupted Miss
Miller.
"Proceed, fair lady, and we will hold our peace," said Jane, giggling.
"As I enjoyed the reviving night-breezes and thought of you poor girls
tossing in warm rooms, I wondered how we might have an out-door place
and still feel secluded from prying eyes. Then I remembered the small
tents we left with Bill on the farm. Those of you who have roof-space
can erect a tent just outside your bed-room window. The tent-opening can
be directly opposite the window so that you can slip in and out without
dread of being seen by the public. What do you think of it?"
"It's great!" exclaimed Zan, enthusiastically.
"Not for me," grumbled Hilda.
"Nor for me," added Nita, "'cause Mama won't think of letting me have
anything so original as a camp-tent within a mile of our house--let
alone on the front roof!"
"If I speak to your father, who is so delighted at the improvement in
your health, he may induce her to look at the plan with different
conclusions than these you fear," ventured the Guide.
"Maybe so; Papa said he would do anything on earth to have me keep up
this Woodcraft stunt," admitted Nita.
"Zan, do you think your father will object if we send to Bill for those
small tents?" now asked Miss Miller.
"Mercy no! Dad won't say a word if you pitch tents all along our entire
roof and on the front piazza, too, just so there's room between the
canvas cots for his sick patients to find their way to his office-door."
"The public will think Dr. Baker has opened a Sanatorium," laughed Jane.
"Or a Fresh Air Clinic for Flat-Dwellers!" added Hilda.
The others laughed provokingly when they saw Zan flush for they all
liked to tease her.
Miss Miller saw the sudden gleam of anger flash from Zan's eyes and
quickly said: "Girls, I am now going to indite that letter to Bill
Sherman for the tents--what shall I say and who wants one?"
"One for Nita, one for Elena, and one for me--and of course Zan wants
one," said Jane.
"I can use the same one Fiji and Bob had at the beach this Summer,"
replied Zan, brightening again. "Jane, why don't you use Jack's, then
the extras can go to Miss Miller and Hilda."
"But Zan, I haven't a place to camp," said Hilda, dolefully.
"Then I s'pose you'll have to borrow some of my roof," returned Zan, in
a matter-of-fact voice.
"Oh Zan, really! I won't mind walking back and forth every morning and
night if you don't mind my using the roof!" sighed Hilda with relief so
great that the others laughed.
The letter for Bill Sherman, the farmer at Wickeecheokee, was given to
Zan to mail if her father approved of the camp-plan, and then the Guide
excused herself and went out to see if the tea was ready to serve her
guests.
That evening the six girls came in and Woodcraft reports were read; then
they were invited to join the Band and the conditions of membership
plainly outlined. Needless to add, that everyone agreed eagerly to abide
by the rules and regulations read to them.
On the way home that evening, however, Eleanor Wilbur whispered to
Frances and Anne Mason who were walking with her:
"Of course this Woodcraft fun will be fine when we haven't anything
better to do, but you don't intend losing any other fun or meeting
because of it, do you?"
"Why we are going to go to the regular Councils and meet with the other
girls for work or play, whether it happens when we have invitations for
other parties or fun, or not," declared Frances, the elder of the two
sisters.
"Oh!" said Eleanor, a trifle disconcerted by the reply. Then after a few
moments of silence she said confidentially: "Don't you think Zan Baker
takes an awful lot for granted from us girls? Just see how she took the
initiative in everything to-night."
"But Zan Baker is the Chief of the Band and has to take the lead in
Tribal affairs," explained Anne.
"Oh yes, I know that, but you don't understand what I mean. I think she
is too domineering in her office and Miss Miller certainly shows a great
partiality for her. Of course everyone knows that Miss Miller bows
humbly at the Doctor's shrine just because he got her the position at
High School Gym!" said Eleanor, significantly.
"Why Ella! It isn't true! I know for a fact that Dr. Baker merely
suggested to the Board that Miss Miller had resigned from college where
she had taught for years. Most of us knew what a treasure she is, and
the Board were only too glad to have her consider our school, because
the salary is half what she was accustomed to receive," defended
Frances.
Eleanor kept silence, but Anne added: "And we girls feel sorry for Miss
Miller because she gave up that college position when her mother was
left alone and needed her at home!"
The afternoon following the meeting at Miss Miller's home, Hilda fairly
bounced into the gymnasium where the Guide could generally be found for
some time after school-hours.
"Oh, Miss Miller, I have the loveliest camp-ground!"
"Better than the fire-escape?" laughed the Guide.
"Better than the roof of a porch! And the funny thing about it is that
the janitor of our building came up himself and said: 'Miss Hilda, I
feel sorry for you these hot nights, so you can sleep on the roof if you
like!'
"Miss Miller, I never breathed a word to him about a tent, but he took
me up and showed me where I could pitch a small tent between the great
water-tank and the square box-like place where the roof-steps come up. A
stone parapet almost three feet high runs all around the roof, you know,
so there isn't any danger of my falling off even if I walked in my
sleep--which I never do."
"I think that is fine for you, Hilda," smiled Miss Miller, but she did
not add that she had spoken secretly to the janitor that morning on her
way to school.
"Mother has no objections to this if I will take Paul up with me. Paul
thinks the plan a dandy one so he will be benefited too. I will place a
screen about his cot or mine so that I will have privacy."
"Or you could hang a curtain from a ring at one side of the tent to one
at the opposite side. Then Paul could pull or push the muslin to suit
himself, and it would not be ruined by rain," suggested Miss Miller.
"I'm so glad that we live on the top floor of the house, 'cause it will
be an easy matter to run up or down the short flight of stairs going to
the roof. When I told mother about it she laughed and said: 'You always
used to grumble about climbing the four flights from the street, but I
know how much pleasanter it is to be on top instead of under a noisy
family in a flat.'"
"Your mother is quite right, and then the air is always better the
higher one goes, and the rents are lower--the last not a mean
consideration, either," added the Guide.
Jane Hubert came in just then, and her smile signified good news.
"Father never made the slightest objection to the camp idea but he has a
still better one for me. He says he will erect Jack's tent on the lawn
under a group of birches that grow near the high brick wall at the back
of our place."
Then Nita came in. "Miracles will never cease, Miss Miller. Not only is
Mama quite reconciled to my camping on the first-story extension roof
where there is a concrete flooring and a parapet to three sides, but she
is taking an active part in rearranging my bed-room so that I can step
in and out of the French windows without falling over cushioned
window-seats and gim-cracks standing about."
"This is the best news yet, Nita! I felt sure the other girls would have
no trouble gaining permission to camp out. Now we only have to hear from
Elena, as Zan started in to arrange her tent this noon, I hear."
"Oh, Elena told me that she could have her tent on the roof of the
side-verandah as planned instead of on the boxed-in porch at the back,"
hurriedly informed Jane.
"Thank goodness we will be able to enjoy the Spirit's blessing of sweet
fresh air that is free for all mankind," said Miss Miller, earnestly.
"To say nothing of enjoying a continuation of Woodcraft out-of-doors
right in a great city," added Jane.
CHAPTER TWO--THE NEW MEMBERS
Miss Miller had secured permission to use the gymnasium for the weekly
Council Meetings of the Woodcrafters, so she was already there when the
members of Wickeecheokee Band and the new members appeared to hold
Council.
"Girls, I bought some straw mats at the ten-cent store that I thought we
could use about the Council Fire," said the Guide, as the girls all
congregated about her desk.
"What about those small logs of wood we worked at so hard to bark and
smooth down?" asked Nita.
"I thought we might make them presentable and then cut and paint
symbolic totems on them to make them look like genuine Indian seats,"
said Miss Miller.
"Aren't they quite good enough as they are?" said Eleanor Wilbur,
pushing at one of the logs with a slender foot.
"I thought they were fine when we barked them but now that we are at
home and a better idea has been given us I approve of following Miss
Miller's suggestion," replied Jane.
"Dad brought home some more of those short fire-place logs when he came
back from the farm yesterday. He says we may want these thin logs for
some other purpose; and besides, since enrolling our new members we
haven't enough of these present logs for all to use. They ought to be
uniform so _I_ say we use the mats until we have the thick logs ready to
present the Lodge," explained Zan.
"Girls--I have an idea!" cried Elena, the artistic.
"Hold fast to it or it'll get away from you," taunted Hilda, jokingly.
"S-sh!" said Zan. "Let her go, Lena."
"About those thin logs we have on hand: Let's build an imitation
fire-place for our Council Ring to make it look as much as possible like
one in a woodland camp!"
"Couldn't we place our dish of smoking tinder inside it and make the
artifice still better?" asked Jane.
"Oh I say!" shouted Zan with such emphasis that everyone jumped, and the
speaker laughed.
"Where's that red tissue paper we had for Decoration Day trimming of the
school auditorium?" asked Zan.
"You'll find it in the property-room with the other stuff," replied
Elena, who had charge of decorations at school.
"We'll line the inside of the logs and when the fire shines through,
make it look like a big blaze, eh?" asked Jane.
"No such thing!" said Zan. "We'll get the janitor to change that
electric bulb from the chandelier and drop it, by wire, down to our
fire. Then it will shine as long as we need it."
"I'll run and see if the janitor is around. Will he do it, do you think,
Miss Miller?" came from Hilda.
"I think so, he is very obliging, you know," replied the Guide.
"And I'll get the paper," remarked Elena.
"You won't need to do that, Lena, because I have orange crepe paper in
the closet that I bought when I got the mats. I had much the same idea
in mind for those logs," said Miss Miller, going to the closet while one
of the girls ran for the janitor.
The care-taker of the building not only changed the bulb in a short time
but assisted Miss Miller in rolling the logs from the closet to the
place where the Council Ring could be arranged. The girls built up a
square fire-place with a hollow opening in the middle where the electric
bulb soon depended. The paper was fitted inside the square and when the
electric current was turned on it looked like a glowing fire.
This done, four candles were placed at the fire--one at each corner of
the square to denote the four corners of the earth.
"I purchased extra long candles so they would burn two hours, at least.
Now that we have the electric bulb we need not waste the extra candles
for fire-light but save them for some other occasion," remarked Miss
Miller.
"Everything ready now for Council?" asked Zan, looking around at the
members.
"Everything we can think of," responded Jane.
"Before we open the Council meeting in the usual manner I would like our
Chief to read from the Woodcraft Manual for Girls on page 10, where it
speaks of initiations and new members," requested Miss Miller, handing
the book to Zan.
"'When brought into some new group such as the school or club, one is
naturally anxious to begin by making a good impression on the others, by
showing what one can do, proving what one is made of, and by making
clear one's seriousness in asking to be enrolled. So also those who form
the group: they wish to know whether the new-comer is made of good
stuff, and is likely to be a valuable addition to their number. The
result is what we call initiation trials, the testing of a new-comer.
"'The desire to initiate and be initiated is a very ancient deep-laid
impulse. Handled judiciously and under the direction of a competent
adult guide, it becomes a powerful force for character building, for
inculcating self-control.
"'In Woodcraft we carefully select for these try-outs such tests as
demonstrate the character and ability of the new-comer, and the
initiation becomes a real proof of fortitude, so that the new girl is as
keen to face the trial, as the Tribe she would enter is to give it.'"
Zan finished reading and looked up to ask: "Is that all you want me to
read, Miss Miller?"
"Just a moment, Zan. I now wish to speak a word to the new members about
what is expected of them. We will leave the paragraph about the
initiation trials for the last, then the girls will not forget what they
are to do. Read now the paragraph that mentions the new work for
members."
So Zan continued. "'After the new member has learned the Laws and taken
the initiation tests, the first thing to claim her attention is that of
qualifying for the rank of Pathfinder and later of Winyan, then the
Achievements, each with its appropriate badge, which are described on
page 327 of the Manual. In time she will have a Woodcraft suit, but this
may come later."
"Now Zan," interrupted the Guide, "turn over to page 18 and read (the
new members) what we expect a Wayseeker to do and be. A Wayseeker is the
first order of a Big Lodge Girl's membership."
"'To qualify for a Big Lodge--that is, to enter as a Wayseeker--one
must:
"'Be over twelve years of age.
"'Know the twelve Laws and state the advantages of them.
"'Take one of the initiations.
"'Be voted in unanimously by other members of the group.
"'Having passed this, the candidate becomes a Wayseeker and receives the
Big Lodge Badge of the lowest rank, that is with two tassels on it.
"'The next higher rank is that of Pathfinder,'" read Zan.
"So you see, girls, you six will be Wayseekers if you pass the trials
and fulfil the requirements just read to you," said the Guide. "Now Zan,
will you please read from page 24--the meaning of a Council Ring? Better
begin at the bottom of the page where I have marked the sentence for
you."
Zan turned over the pages till she found the place indicated and read:
"'Why do we sit in a circle around a fire? That is an old story and a
new one.
"'Then, too, a circle is the best way of seating a group. Each has her
place and is so seated as to see everything and be seen by everybody. As
a result each feels a very real part in the proceedings as they could
not feel if there were corners in which one could hide. The circle is
dignified and it is democratic. It was with this idea that King Arthur
abolished the old-fashioned long table with two levels, one above the
salt for the noble folk and one below for the common herd, and founded
the Round Table. At his table all who were worthy to come were on the
same level, were brothers, equal in dignity and responsibility, and each
in honour bound to do his share. The result was a kindlier spirit, a
sense of mutual dependence.
"'These are the thoughts of our Council Ring. These are among the
reasons why our Council is always in a circle and if possible around the
fire. The memory of those long-gone days is brought back again with
their simple reverent spirit, their sense of brotherhood, when we sit as
our people used to sit about the fire and smell the wood-smoke of
Council.'"
As Zan concluded, the experienced Woodcrafters cried: "How! How!"
"I suppose the new members know why we called our Band Wickeecheokee
Band of Wako Tribe of Woodcrafters?" asked Miss Miller, with a slight
nod in the direction of the six girls.
The new members looked at each other for the answer and the Guide
continued to explain:
"Wickeecheokee is an old Indian name discovered on the ancient records
of the County Seat in New Jersey where the farm owned by Dr. Baker is
located. The English interpretation of the name means, 'Crystal Waters.'
Dr. Baker's farm where we camped last Summer has this lovely mountain
stream falling down the steep side to the Bluff which is a rocky ledge
over-hanging a pool of about a hundred yards wide, thence it rushes on
to the Big Bridge near the turnpike road. That is why the doctor named
his farm after the stream--'Wickeecheokee.'"
"I wish to goodness we girls could have been there with you," sighed
Anne Mason.
"'According to the Constitution of Woodcraft, our purpose is to learn
the out-door life for its worth in the building up of our bodies and the
helping and strengthening of our souls; that we may go forth with the
seeing eye, and the "thinking hand" to learn the pleasant ways of the
woods and of life, that we may be made in all wise masters of ourselves;
facing life without flinching, ready to take our part among our fellows
in all the problems which arise, rejoicing when some trial comes, that
the Great Spirit finds us the rulers of strong souls in their worthy
tabernacles.'
"Each one of you girls is past twelve years of age, so that point is
covered. Now we will ascertain who of the new members know the law, who
are acceptable to this Band, and who can prove worthy according to the
initiation tests. You will all begin at the lowest rank if accepted in
the Band--that of Wayseeker. Now Zan, read aloud the initiation test
from page 11 of our Manual."
The Chief turned back to the page mentioned and read: "'The trial should
be approved by the Council and be given to the candidate when her name
is proposed for membership--that is, posted on the Totem Pole where it
remains for seven suns. In camp a shorter time may be allowed at the
discretion of the leaders.
_1. Silence._ Keep absolute silence for six hours during the daytime in
camp, while mixing freely with the life of the camp. In the city keep
silence from after school till bedtime.
_2. Keep Good-natured._ Keep absolutely unruffled for one day of twelve
hours, giving a smiling answer to all.
_3. Exact Obedience._ For one week give prompt, smiling obedience to
parents, teachers, and those who have authority over you. This must be
certified to by those in question.
_4. Make a Useful Woodcraft Article_, such as a basket, a bench, a bed,
a bow, a set of fire-sticks, etc.
_5. Sleep out_, without a built roof overhead, for three nights
consecutively, or ten, not consecutively.'
"Now that you have heard what the tests are how many of you believe you
can qualify--answer by raising your right hand and by the word of
Woodcraft approval?"
The six girls raised six hands and then looked at each other sheepishly
because the word "How" seemed so meaningless to them.
"I forgot to explain that this word 'How' means 'yes' or 'thanks' or
'approval,'" hastily added the Guide.
Then all said "How!" and the other five girls felt that their new
members were doing fine work.
"Why not teach them the Woodcraft Salute while we are at it?" asked Zan.
The Guide then demonstrated the sign and action, saying: "The hand sign
of the girls is the 'Sun in the heart, rising to the Zenith'--given by
the right hand being placed over the heart, the first finger and the
thumb making a circle, then swinging the forearm so the hand is level
with the forehead, thus--."
Then Miss Miller nodded to Zan to proceed with the meeting.
"In case any of you are not familiar with the Woodcraft Laws I will read
them aloud to you. And Miss Miller, I would suggest right here, that the
new members write to Headquarters at once and order a Girl's Manual.
They will need it daily, and I can't spare mine, you know. We really
couldn't accomplish much without this printed Guide of rules and
instruction and guides."
Zan then read aloud for the benefit of the new members:
"'_1. Be Brave._ Courage is the noblest of all gifts.
_2. Be Silent_, while your elders are speaking and otherwise show them
deference.
_3. Obey._ Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcraft Girl.
_4. Be Clean._ Both yourself and the place you live in.
_5. Understand and respect your body._ It is the temple of the Spirit.
_6. Be a friend of all harmless wild life._ Conserve the woods and
flowers, and especially be ready to fight wild-fire in forest or in
town.
_7. Word of Honour is sacred._
_8. Play Fair._ Foul play is treachery.
_9. Be Reverent._ Worship the Great Spirit and respect all worship of
Him by others.
_10. Be Kind._ Do at least one act of unbargaining service every day.
_11. Be Helpful._ Do your share of the work.
_12. Be Joyful._ Seek the joy of being alive.'
These are the twelve laws that every good Woodcrafter tries to live up
to. Now if the Fire Maker will make fire for our Council, I will explain
the rays that shine from each of the four candles--one at each corner of
the earth."
The Chief waited for Jane, who was Fire Maker for that meeting, to take
the rubbing sticks and when she stood ready to begin the fire-making,
Zan said:
"Yo-hay-y Yo-hay-y-y; Meetah Kola Nahoonpo Omnee-chee-yaynee-chopi."
The opening words of Council concluded by the Chief, Jane placed the
fire sticks in their proper position and began to saw back and forth
with the bow until a tiny spiral of smoke rose from the fire-block.
The Guide watching, said, "Now light we the Council Fire after the
manner of the Red man, even also as the rubbing together of two trees in
the storm-winds brings forth the fire from the forest wood."
Jane blew gently upon the small pyramid of black powder in the fire-pan
until the smoke grew thicker. She then waved it slowly back and forth
still blowing gently until a minute spark glowed under the black dust.
At that the girls all cried:
"How! How!"
Then a handful of inflammable wild-wood material was touched to the
spark and as the smoke curled upward filling the immediate vicinity with
an aromatic pine odour, a tiny flame shot out.
"How! How!" again chorused the Woodcrafters, and the tinder now burning
brightly, was placed in the earthen dish and the dish set in the
enclosure made by the logs.
With the flame bursting forth, Miss Miller quoted: "Now know we that
Wakanda the Great Spirit hath been pleased to smile upon His children,
hath sent down the sacred fire. By this we know He will be present at
our Council, that His wisdom will be with us."
After this Zan read again from the Manual:
"'Four candles are there on the Shrine of this our symbol fire. And from
them reach twelve rays--twelve golden strands of this the Law we hold.
From the Lamp of Fortitude are these:
_Be Brave._ For fear is the foundation of all ill; unflinchingness is
strength.
_Be Silent._ It is harder to keep silence than to speak in hour of
trial, but in the end it is stronger.
_Obey._ For Obedience means self-control, which is the sum of the law.
And these are the Rays from Beauty's Lamp:
_Be Clean._ For there is no perfect beauty without cleanliness of body,
soul, and estate. The body is the sacred temple of the Spirit, therefore
reverence your body. Cleanliness helps first yourself, then those around
you, and those who keep this law are truly in their country's loving
service.
_Understand and Respect Your Body._ It is the temple of the Spirit, for
without health can neither strength nor beauty be.
_Protect All Harmless Wild-life_ for the joy its beauty gives.
And these are the Rays from the Lamp of Truth:
_Hold Your Word of Honour Sacred._ This is the law of truth, and anyone
not bound by this cannot be bound; and truth is wisdom. _Play Fair._ For
fair play is truth and foul play is treachery.
Reverence the Great Spirit, and all worship of Him, for none have all
the truth, and all who reverently worship have claims on our respect.
And these are the Rays in the Blazing Lamp of Love:
_Be Kind._ Do at least one act of unbargaining service every day even as
ye would enlarge the crevice whence a spring runs forth to make its
blessings more.
_Be Helpful._ Do your share of the work for the glory that service
brings, for the strength one gets in serving.
_Be Joyful._ Seek the joy of being alive--for every reasonable gladness
you can get or give is treasure that can never be destroyed, and like
the spring-time gladness doubles, every time with others it is shared.'"
Zan concluded reading the interesting words of Woodcraft meaning and the
girls murmured "How!"
"Now I will propose the name of each applicant in turn and the Band must
second and approve her admission to this Tribe if that is their
pleasure. As I call out the name will the girl please stand until the
vote is taken?"
"Frances Mason is the first applicant," said Miss Miller.
Frances stood and paid earnest attention to the next rite but Eleanor
Wilbur who sat directly back of Frances as she stood up, kicked at her
ankles and giggled as if the whole procedure were a huge joke. Although
known to the others, the disrespect was overlooked at the time.
"Frances, is it your serious desire to become a member of this Woodcraft
Band?" questioned the Chief.
"It is," replied Frances, trying hard to keep from crying out as Eleanor
pinched her leg.
"Then learn the laws of the League as well as the laws of our Band. To
memorise the meaning of the Four Lesser Lights that shine from the
shrine of the Great Light, the Sacred Fire. By taking the initiation
tests as read for your benefit and by being acceptable to every member
of Wickeecheokee Band.
"Are there any present who wish to register a complaint why Frances
should not be admitted to our Band or the League?" asked Zan, as she
looked around the circle.
No one complained, but a stage whisper was heard from Eleanor saying:
"Everyone's afraid to speak even if they do know something against
Frances."
The whisper was disconcerting but Eleanor tittered as if she thought
herself very witty, and as Frances took her seat beside the rude girl,
expecting to give her a piece of her mind, the Guide stood up.
"O Chief! While you were addressing the new member, I glanced over the
Manual to see if we had omitted any necessary reading, and I find we
have all made a serious blunder. Whereas we have six applicants for
membership in this Band, the Manual clearly states that no Band shall
have more than ten members. We will be compelled to drop one of the
applicants."
This unexpected news acted like a bucket of cold water on the girls as
no one wished to be dropped. After a serious debate, the Chief announced
a possible solution.
"We will post the names of the six girls on the Totem Pole and at the
expiration of the period set for testing, the one who falls short of the
mark must resign or, at least, wait for the second Band which will form
at Christmastime."
This plan met with approval and each new member then and there decided
not to be the one left out when the enrollment came. So the six girls
were admitted on probation.
"Now Chief, post the names on the Totem and we will stand it near the
door where everyone coming in or going out can read who the applicants
are," said the Guide.
"I s'pose you are doing that to advertise your club," remarked Eleanor,
unpleasantly.
"Eleanor Wilbur! A Chump Mark against your credit, for you are on trial
now and must not speak out of order in Council without giving the Chief
the proper salute and respect," said Zan, sternly.
"Why how ridiculous of you to give yourself such airs, Zan Baker! Anyone
would think this was business and not fun!" jeered Eleanor.
"It _is_ business I'll have you understand, and if you wish to regard it
as a butt for your insults or disobedience you can resign this very
minute!" declared Zan, her eyes snapping fire.
But Eleanor had no desire to resign from the only thing she knew of
where sport for the Winter days could be had. So she shrugged her
shoulders and sulked.
The other girls were duly advised and then the Chief ordered the Tally
Keeper to enter the record in the book and to print the paper that was
to be posted on the Totem in as artistic a manner as she could think of.
"Now before we adjourn, is there any request to be made in behalf of the
Band?" asked the Guide.
"O Chief! I wish to ask a question," said Nita, standing.
"Speak, O Sister!" replied Zan.
"I talked of a plan while Elena and I were walking over here, and she
thinks it is fine and dandy! It will help us to remember the woods and
look forward to a camp next Summer."
"Not that we need an incentive for that!" laughed Zan.
"No, but in Winter we'll find it mighty funny to sit in this Gym and
fancy we are Indians out in the forests. But follow Elena's instructions
and you'll believe you're at Wickeecheokee all Winter," replied Nita,
suggestively.
Nita sat down and Elena stood up. "O Chief! Nita and I wish to propose
that we imitate the woods by scenery. We can buy some cheap cotton or
canvas stuff and paint trees and rocks and the stream like those at our
Summer Camp. We can even go so far as to have birds singing on the
boughs and flying in the blue sky."
Elena waited a moment to see the effect of her announcement and Zan
said: "The blue sky seems to be the limit with your offer!"
The others grinned and Elena frowned momentarily. "Don't you think it a
good plan?"
"Fine plan for a house-painter. But who under the sun is willing to stay
home for weeks and paint miles of scenery?" retorted Zan.
"Why it won't be much trouble. Nita and I will offer to paint the scenes
if you girls will make the uprights to fasten the stuff on when
finished," said Elena, anxiously.
"Have you figured out how much this may cost us, Nita?" asked the Guide.
"No because I don't know how large we may need it. But any cheap cotton
goods will do, you know."
"Miss Miller, we might find out about that," said Elena.
"The new members can begin first lessons in carpentry, too," added Jane.
After discussing the idea, and with Elena's added description of how
beautiful it would look--to have Pine Nob showing against the sky in the
distance, and Old Baldy back of Fiji's cave, the Woodcrafters
unanimously declared that they must have that scenery or lose all
interest in the Winter Camp in the Gymnasium.
Miss Miller shook her head dubiously for she knew what a tremendous
undertaking it would prove to be to paint nicely all the yards of
material needed to enclose a Council Ring.
"Anyway it will do no harm to get prices on stuff and the necessary
paint," said Zan, and it was so decided.
"Nita and I will attend to that part of it if you girls will get the
cost of lumber, etc., for the uprights," added Elena.
"O Chief!" said Jane, thinking of a plan to save costs. "Why not use
that side wall of the Gym and do away with that many uprights and
stretchers?"
"O Chief! for that matter, why not use a corner of this hall and have
two sides ready made and substantial, and use the uprights for the other
two sides? With the scenery stretched on all four sides, who will ever
know there is a solid wall of city plaster back of two sides?" suggested
the Guide.
"But it will be a 'corner in wood,'" added Zan, facetiously.
"Wah! Wah!" instantly sounded from every old Woodcrafter present. The
new members looked about for an explanation.
"'How' is the term for approval and 'Wah!' for disapproval, or no,"
explained the Guide, smiling at the reception given Zan's wit.
"Corner or not, that last suggestion is all right!" declared Hilda.
"And instead of tacking the scenery on top of the poles and having it
sag between each upright, why not have a wire or rope stretched taut
from one pole to the next, and so on, and hang the scenery by means of
hooks?" continued the Guide.
"I suppose such common commodities as clothes-pins would be spurned by
Indians," ventured Hilda.
"I should say 'double yes'!" retorted Zan, slangily.
"It is most apparent that Zan is associating with the 'causes' of her
slang again. She said this Summer that the habit was the fault of
hearing her brothers use it so freely," remarked Miss Miller.
"This time it was the fault of Hilda's clothes-pins," laughed Zan.