as far as she (the mother) was concerned, but the moment Nita was sent
home, she would be packed off to a safe place.
"No wonder the poor child displays the weaknesses she does. It is
our duty to train her for a better life than the one her mother can
aspire to. I think I would have buried this letter, too, had I been the
daughter of such a mother!"
The letter was destroyed and Nita saw the Guide throw the tiny pieces
in the fire when supper was started.
That night the camp sat about the fire telling stories and recalling
funny things of school-life. It was an atmosphere of unity, and Miss
Miller felt for the first time since they started the Camp that she
would be fully repaid by the improvement of the members, and the
womanhood they would eventually reach after striving for ideals, one
just a bit higher than the other, year after year, until the goal
appeared.
Finally, Zan exclaimed, "Oh, we forgot the Thermos bottle with the
indigestion in it!"
Every one laughed, and Miss Miller hurried to her tent to get the
bottle. It was brought over to the fire and the Guide lit a candle to
enable the girls to see with ease the thing she was about to show and
explain to them.
The two tubes were taken from the warm water in which Miss Miller
plunged a thermometer to assure the girls that the temperature was the
same as the evening before.
"This is the tube in which we put a little whiskey--see the effect the
alcohol has had on the egg? It is shrivelled and even harder than when
it was first placed in the tube, although it has had the same advantage
of digestive fluids and acids that the other tube and our stomachs have.
"Now look at this other tube in which nothing but digestive juices were
left. This uniform pasty mass at the bottom of the tube is the digested
egg. This ought to prove infallibly what a drink of any alcoholic
liquid will do to your digestion, and after a time, to your whole
physical system."
The girls stared with amazement at the result of the test on the
contents of the two tubes, and then looked up at the Guide with an
expression that plainly said, "No alcoholic drink for us, no matter how
alluring or in what company it is presented."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A BIRTHDAY PARTY IN CAMP
As the days sped, the Guide felt the secrecy most evident when she
came unexpectedly upon the girls. Surprised screams, and hurried
hiding of bulky articles, caused her finally to realise that it was
for her birthday. Hints had dropped at various times, that some gala
day was approaching, so the Guide determined on her part to give the
girls a great surprise also. She took Bill and Mrs. Sherwood into her
confidence and the result was that everything prospered for her plan
without the girls having the slightest thought of what would occur.
The day before the birthday, Mrs. Sherwood spent the whole forenoon
baking and preparing a feast for more than a score of people. Bill was
away at Hamilton's to see about a large carry-all that Hamilton owned
but seldom used. The Guide was most concerned about having the tents
all in order, and the ceremonial robes in perfect condition.
It appeared that the girls had completed their work, for they had
nothing better to do than watch and offer suggestion for the Guide.
Finally, she called them together and said, "Are you all quite sure of
the dances?"
"Of course, didn't Nita teach us how to do the War dance, the Snake
dance and the Caribou and Scalp dances for _coups_ just as soon as
she perfected herself in the steps, and haven't we got most beautiful
wooden horns and war-clubs?" said Zan.
"Well, let us try them to-day--to-morrow I want to spend the day in
another quest. Something I haven't mentioned before, but which I have
given much thought to," said Miss Miller, seriously.
"To-morrow! Oh, Miss Miller, not to-morrow! That is our regular
ice-cream day, and if you take us away on a hike or nature-study we
won't be here to freeze the cream!" argued Zan.
Miss Miller admired Zan's clever acting but she, too, felt she must act
a part or the sly girls would discover her secret. So she said, "Oh,
ice-cream can be enjoyed the next day just as well as to-morrow."
The girls looked at each other smilingly, but seemed agreed upon
humouring the Guide with the dances. They always enjoyed these, as they
were so unusual, so now they soon entered into the sport with a zest
and energy not to be found in common dancing.
Miss Miller was thoroughly satisfied with the exhibition and clapped
approvingly. While the girls sat down, panting, she said, "Each one
of us can take down and put up a tent in the required time; we can
make fires with wild-wood materials only, we can show city folks how
to make the finest bed possible, and teach some how to give first aid
when needed. What with our sets of rubbing sticks made by hand, our
bead-looms, butterfly nets, and Tally Books, I think we have a mighty
fine showing for a month's work, don't you?"
"Not only that, but just think of all we can do now, that we never
dreamed of knowing! Hitch a horse and repair the harness, make or patch
garments, cook digestible meals, use a knife and hatchet in the woods,
and build an article of lumber," added Zan, proudly.
"In fact, we have learned so much that it will take a review of our
Tally Books to prove all that has been done," said Jane.
"Yes, girls, I am highly complimented by the progress you all have
made, but I regret deeply that no one is here to enjoy our work as we
do ourselves," sighed Miss Miller.
"Oh, don't worry over that, Miss Miller; toward the end of summer we
will invite a crowd down and take the day in showing off. That will be
a fine time to get a crowd of our schoolchums here and see how they
take to Woodcrafting, eh?" said Zan, looking about at the others.
"That's so! And by the time we get home we'll have a swarm of girls
buzzing about waiting to be admitted," giggled Hilda.
"I bet there's a lot of them sorry this minute that they didn't join
when I invited them to!" said Zan, decidedly.
"Well, girls, I have an errand at Sherwoods' so I will run down, but
I'll be back inside of an hour," confessed the Guide, as she started
down the slope.
The girls smiled as soon as she had disappeared and Zan said, "Now,
let's wrap them up and fix things up before she gets back."
Thereupon, the four girls ran to their tents and were noisily occupied
for a time while Nita quietly took a package from under her cot and
wrapped it also, using a narrow baby ribbon to tie it up.
Hilda was astonished, as she had no idea Nita had made a gift for the
Guide, although she had spent many hours by herself during the past
week. She had showed a desire to join in the gift-making when Zan and
Jane told her of the decorated bead-loom and the butterfly tray they
were making, but she gave no further sign of personal interest in their
gifts. Hilda had not been able to see just what Nita made but she knew
it was something that was made by hand. Believing that she wished it
kept secret, Hilda whispered to Nita that she wouldn't tell!
The following morning the sun shone brightly down through the leaves of
the trees, causing Wickee to blink his eyes before any of the Band were
stirring. Being unduly awakened, Wickee decided it was high time for
the others to be up, so he jumped upon the cots and pulled the sheets
about until the girls shrieked at him to desist.
Miss Miller had, for some unknown cause, set her alarm clock and now it
began ringing its warning to get up. Soon every one was out and wishing
her many happy returns of the day. The breakfast was under way before
any hint of unusual things occurred. Then, as the Guide hurried to the
place where the cloth was spread she almost collided with Zan carrying
a long mysterious parcel. Both laughed, but the Guide returned to the
fire while Zan placed the gift on the grass where Miss Miller sat.
Jane and Elena added their gift, and Nita sidled over sheepishly and
laid down a wrapped gift, much to the delight of the other girls. Then
all ran over to assist in serving the breakfast.
Miss Miller was highly pleased and seemed greatly surprised at the
unexpected gifts, but, upon opening them, she was most sincere in her
exclamations of pleasure.
Not only had Jane and Elena won _coups_ in finding and properly
mounting beautiful butterflies and insects, but they had chosen the
finest specimens and arranged them in a tray as they had planned. With
the feathery grasses and a few leaves on the pure white cotton, they
made a dainty gift when securely covered with glass and framed with
cherry-wood having a brass handle on each end of the tray.
They finished the tray and found there was ample time to make a large
picture of blue-prints of natural flowers and frame it. The delicate
veining and tiny picoted edges of the leaves stood out in wonderful
contrast on the dark-blue paper. This group had been framed in moulding
sawed and joined and rubbed with oil by the two girls. Later, they
confided to the others that they had scoured the tool-house for bits
of moulding and Bill was well-nigh crazy showing them how to join the
corners.
Zan and Hilda made a beautiful bead-loom--a work of art. The design
burnt in on the top of the flat board was executed most artistically,
and the uprights, wheels and winder, were accurately fitted to work
smoothly.
Beside this, the two girls wove a braided mat similar to those in the
farm-house, to the manufacture of which Mrs. Sherwood donated cut
strips of rags.
But the gift that gave the keenest pleasure to the Guide, because made
by Nita, proving her change of consciousness, was a Tomtom, beautifully
decorated. So meritorious was it that Miss Miller exclaimed upon seeing
it, "Why, Nita, I believe you can win a grand _coup_ for this beautiful
work!"
Nita was delighted and explained how she made it. How the frame was
made of the circle of an old bentwood chair, the pieces of which were
found in the barn. How Bill stopped at the saddler's in Junction and
obtained a piece of raw-hide for her. How hard it had been to lace the
raw-hide to the frame and the difficulty she had in decorating the
Totem on the Tomtom.
True admiration was so rare a thing in Nita's experience of life that
she felt embarrassed at first, but the Guide made her feel more at
ease by seeking diligently for her handkerchief and not finding it.
Before anything could be done to relieve the tension of the situation,
the tears rolled from under Miss Miller's lids and trickled over her
cheeks. At a sudden gurgle from Zan, every one burst out laughing
hysterically.
"Well, I don't care if you did catch me crying like an infant!"
declared Miss Miller, still laughing. "But they were tears of gladness
at the demonstration of your love and sacrifice."
"That Tomtom isn't all, either, Miss Miller!" cried Nita, eagerly.
"When I saw the others make two things, I said I would, too, so I wrote
to the doctor for the things I couldn't get here."
"Oh, do let us see what it is! We will promise to wait patiently for
you to finish it!" exclaimed the Guide, eagerly.
Only too glad to show it, Nita ran to her tent and drew a long package
from under the cot. Running back with it, she displayed a target
half-finished and a long paper parcel which proved to be a bow and some
arrows sent down by the doctor.
"Girls, I believe Nita made and thought of the best of all our gifts!"
exclaimed Elena, carefully testing the bow.
"Well, one thing is certain! We can all enjoy the target and the Tomtom
will help us in dancing," added Miss Miller.
"That's what made me think of making one--I just hated to dance without
music or rhythm to step by!" said Nita, happily.
A shout from Sherwoods' cottage reminded Miss Miller of some important
duty she was delaying, so she hurried away after saying that she would
be back in half an hour.
The moment breakfast dishes were washed the girls tried a dance while
one beat the Tomtom. Then Zan suggested that they try the bow and
arrows.
"Maybe we can practise and win an archery _coup_ soon!" exclaimed Hilda.
"We hadn't thought of that--yes, let's try for it!" added Jane, as they
hurried to select each one an arrow.
As Miss Miller returned to the Bluff her face was happy and smiling, so
that Zan asked, "Well, what have you planned now to celebrate the day
with?"
"What do you girls want to do?" asked she.
"Take a long ride to Junction and do some buying at the stores!"
replied Nita.
"Oh, mercy me, no! Better hike over the hills and hunt for more wild
flowers to finish our collection for a _coup_!" cried Elena.
"I'll tell you what, girls! Let's stay right here and work on the new
bead-loom and make a few bead-bands!" said Jane, watching Miss Miller
suspiciously.
The Guide appeared to be most anxious at that and said, "How foolish to
waste a perfect day about camp! Let's take the morning for the woods,
and spend the afternoon in camp!"
At that, Jane felt sure she had stumbled over the Guide's secret but
she kept it to herself, and eagerly abetted all effort to get the girls
away from the Bluff as soon as could be.
During the walk that morning they found enough wild flowers to
make their fifty varieties so that each could claim a _coup_. Jane
determined to keep on and find fifty more to win a grand _coup_.
On the return walk, Miss Miller found some splendid rushes and the
place was marked so that it could be quickly found again when they had
more time to stop and cut the rushes.
"We ought to be able to make some lovely mats and baskets from them,
don't you think so?" asked Nita, eagerly.
"Yes, indeed! But we have other work for to-day, and rushes will wait
better here than at camp," replied the Guide, who appeared to be very
anxious to get back to camp. She frequently consulted her watch and
felt impatient when one of the girls wanted to stop and examine a plant
or leaf.
"You're sure you all have your Tally Books up to date?" queried Miss
Miller, as they drew near the Big Bridge.
"Sure! Didn't you ask us to bring them right up to yesterday's
Council!" wondered Zan.
Jane almost laughed aloud at the puzzled expression of the other girls,
but she held her peace like a martyr.
Just as they passed through Sherwoods' grass-plot Zan spied the
carry-all from Hamilton's, standing in the road. Two heavy horses were
hitched to it, but they were tied to a post while their noses were
buried in feed-bags.
"Well, I'm daffy! If I can see what that rig is doing over here!"
exclaimed Zan.
Miss Miller had hurried on up the slope but Jane exploded with pent-up
mirth. Zan looked at her keenly for a second, then ran after the Guide.
The other three girls followed, conscious of the subdued excitement in
the air.
Arrived on the Bluff, the girls were dumbfounded to find a grand feast
spread out on the rocks. Mrs. Sherwood was busy by the ice-chest
placing some dish inside, but the rest of the birthday feast was
waiting on the cloth: four had to be used to make a large enough place.
About the outer edges of the linen were more than two dozen plates and
silver for each.
The girls turned to question Miss Miller and found her laughing
heartily at their surprise. Before anything further could be done, Zan
caught sight of some familiar form in her tent. With a shout of "Daddy!
Daddy!" she rushed madly over and found herself surrounded by her
entire family.
They came out laughing at the faces of the other girls. In another
moment, Jane's family appeared from behind a tent. That gave the cue
to others, and soon, Elena's mother and Hilda's brother came over to
join the others. The doctor explained that her mother could not leave a
serious case she had but sent a letter instead for Hilda to enjoy.
Every one saw the consternation Nita felt when she eagerly ran from
tent to tent seeking for some one from her family, but nothing in
shape of father or mother, or letter was found.
Miss Miller suddenly grasped the doctor's sleeve and whispered
frantically in his ear. He quickly went over to the tent where Nita
stood breathless, ready to break down at the awful suggestion that
either her people were not invited or else they cared so little for her
that they never bothered to write!
"Oh, Nita, dear! Come here--I forgot to give you a message from your
mother! I was so delighted to see Zan, I almost overlooked you!" said
Dr. Baker, smilingly, although he felt like murder in his heart.
Nita looked up with eyes full of unshed tears.
"Miss Miller's party was so unexpected and sudden that every one had
the greatest difficulty in reaching each other. Now, I tried again and
again to reach your folks by 'phone, but I heard your father is away on
a business trip and your mother is spending a few days with friends at
Newport. So, you see, Nita, how dreadfully disappointed they will be
when they hear all about this party!"
As he spoke, the doctor led the girl back to the others, taking all the
blame upon himself for not being able to find her parents. But he never
mentioned to any one excepting the Guide, that Mrs. Brampton sneered at
the suggestion of giving up a Newport trip for a visit to the farm, and
left in high dudgeon when her husband declared she was no human mother!
He had to go on a business trip but the doctor said it might have been
postponed if he had really wanted to do so. But Nita was comforted at
the report the doctor gave, and if there lurked a semblance to untruth
in his meaning, the recording angel overlooked it, for his motive was
high and holy.
The great feast went off with wonderful ease, considering the scarcity
of cutlery and glassware. Mrs. Sherwood acted as Chief of the Kettle,
while all of the girls assisted in serving their guests from the city.
Bill occupied himself rigging up the unfinished target, and attending
to other things the visitors had no idea of.
When the dinner was over and everything presented a look of order
again, the doctor excused himself while he went to Bill's cottage to
meet the postman who could be seen driving along the road. No further
thought was given to this, however, as the young hostesses were fully
occupied showing their collections of flowers, insects, and Tally Books.
When every one had admired the hand-craft and woodlore the Band had
learned, they were invited to sit in a wide circle while the girls
entertained them with dancing and fire-making. At just this time, the
doctor returned accompanied by a stranger. He brought the man directly
toward Miss Miller who smiled and held out her hand in greeting.
Then it became known that the visitor was a Medicine Man, an old friend
of the doctor's, who was also a member of the High Council of Guidance.
He had mentioned to the doctor that he expected to visit Hamiltons'
kennels that week and Dr. Baker persuaded him to make it the same day
that they all intended going to the farm, thereby having him present as
guest at the Woodcraft camp. He gladly acquiesced to the plan and thus
he was able to see the work accomplished in a month by a Band hitherto
untrained in the ways of Woodcraft lore. To say he was delighted would
be to express his pleasure in too weak terms.
The girls acquitted themselves admirably in dancing while the Guide
beat the new Tomtom. The Medicine Man gave them valuable hints about
the true Indian Dancing, and complimented Nita on her teaching, then
they made fires in required time, they did various kinds of swimming in
the pool, and in every possible way entertained the visitors in a most
unique and enjoyable manner. The Medicine Man took charge of affairs,
and at last, when everything had been finished, he suggested that he
pin the honours on their ceremonial robes. This was a treat unlooked
for, as Miss Miller thought they would all have to wait until their
return to the city before being awarded the honours.
The blanks for _coups_ and honours, which had been sent from
Headquarters, were soon filled in and witnessed, and the Band highly
flattered by the speech the Medicine Man made to them before taking his
departure.
Dr. Baker accompanied him to the cottage, where Bill waited to drive
him back to Hamilton's place, whence he could catch a train homeward.
While shaking hands with his friend, the visitor said earnestly:
"Doctor, I did not see those girls before they went to camp, but they
certainly are a wonderful group of Woodcrafters now, and I shall
have particular pleasure in speaking of them to my associates at
Headquarters. A sight like the one I enjoyed this afternoon is one
of the best tonics in our work, and it encourages us to progress and
expand."
"Well, if you saw some of those very girls when school closed, a month
ago, you would swear some witchcraft was working for them! I never
saw such improvement in girls in so short a time," declared Dr. Baker
emphatically.
By the time the doctor returned to the Bluff a lively chase was ready
to begin. Zan's two brothers thoroughly enjoyed the plan, and Fiji was
to be Master of the game. He was expected to run away with a stuffed
burlap bag that represented a deer, and hide it in some out-of-the-way
spot where a deer would be apt to find refuge from a clan of hunters.
He had to drop corn for the trail, so the hunters could pick up the
scent and follow. These scents were supposed to cross each other or run
off in a far different direction from which the deer eventually follows
in order to hide itself.
The moment the doctor arrived the signal was given, and Fiji started
off with the deer under his arm. As the animal had been made that
morning, in a great hurry, Miss Miller used a burlap bag stuffed with
straw, and painted the features on its head. Fiji's pockets were
filled with corn, and he was admonished not to take it to rocky ledges
or steep mountain-sides, as the hunters would not have time to stop and
hunt for lost arrows in the dense undergrowth of the ravine.
After about ten minutes' start the hunters followed after the deer. The
doctor felt like a boy again, taking part in the simple sport. Every
one was provided with bows and arrows, and was expected to do their
best in hitting the deer in the heart.
More than an hour was spent in finding the spot the deer had for a
refuge. Then, Zan being the first to lead, gave the signal that the
deer was found. They all trailed along the corn scent until they met
near the entrance to the cave. Here, against the opening, stood the
brave burlap deer, and Zan soon had the satisfaction of chasing Fiji
down the hill-side, fleeing from her arrows, which she aimed at him in
punishment for doing the very thing he had been told not to do. The
doctor picked up the helpless deer and laughingly carried it back to
camp.
"I think Fiji is too mean for anything, Miss Miller, because we
might have won another honour if he hadn't made a mess of the game!"
complained Zan.
But the others laughed heartily, and averred that they enjoyed the hunt
just as much as if the deer had been killed.
All too soon came the time to bid the visitors good-bye, and the girls
heard with pride their parents commend Miss Miller on the wonderful
improvement in them all. The great carryall was waiting at Bill's, so
every one ran down the slope, the visitors climbing in, and the campers
watching and advising, until Bill flourished his whip and rattled off
along the road to Junction.
Gathered about the rock where Council generally was held, the girls
reviewed the exciting times of the day.
"Miss Miller, that was the finest party I ever attended," laughed Jane.
"I smelled a rat when I saw that carryall by Bill's door, but I never
dreamed that Miss Miller had planned it. I thought perhaps some of our
folks were coming down to surprise us, and I was delighted to think it
fell on your birthday," said Zan.
Then the Guide told how she first got the idea to surprise them in
return for their secrets.
"Well, the doctor seems thoroughly pleased with our experiment, doesn't
he?" said Hilda, remembering the wondering looks of all of the parents.
"Indeed he is! He told me, just before leaving, that the remarkable
improvement in Zan and Nita far surpassed the others," said Miss Miller.
"Me! Why, I am always all right! What did he mean?" questioned Zan,
astonished.
"He missed a most familiar habit, and said that the improvement was to
be continued," laughed the Guide.
"Ha, ha! Zan, he meant your slang!" cried Elena.
"Oh, but I haven't quit that yet! I shall some day!" added Zan.
"You have dropped so much of it that it is remarked by those who have
not heard you in a month, but to yourself it may not seem such an
improvement," explained Miss Miller.