Place. Besides relatives and families of the captains present other
visitors had arrived after luncheon.
Wita-tonkan opened the Council and called upon Fiji, the Chief of the
Grey Foxes, to make the ceremonial rubbing-stick fire, also appointing
Zan Baker, Founder of Wickeecheokee Band, Tally Keeper of the Council,
thus conforming to the conditions of courtesy and co-operation.
When the Chief of the Council called for reports of Scouts, a surprise
was afforded the Pentagoets.
Captain Ed rose, saluted, was recognised, and began in an official
Woodcraft manner:
“Oh Chief! I have to report that Consta_bule_ Jotham Heald sent word
that $15 reward awaits at the Camden Police Station for you boys’ share
of the money paid by the owner of the recovered launch.”
After the excited applause had subsided, Billy sprang up, saluted, and
inquired earnestly, “Oh Chief! I would like to ask the Captain if we
aren’t going to get anything for helping capture those thieves?”
Every one in the Council laughed at Billy’s mercenary tendencies.
“Oh Chief! I will answer the young Brave’s question!” cried Uncle
Bill, now jumping up. “We all admire and value the astuteness of this
young detective’s work and I fear that my namesake has had his hopes
buoyed high from having read of the exorbitant rewards obtained by
city “tecs”; however, let me assure him that most of those sums are
press stories and the ‘long green’ is seldom seen by the hard-plugging
officers whose families have to live according to the ‘low-cost menus’
furnished by some philanthropic magazines--on two and a half cents a
day!”
Billy’s face had gradually been changing its expression of eagerness to
disappointment, so the Captain explained:
“The talk of a reward for the thieves was mostly just talk! In fact,
the launch-owner added an extra five to the five dollars reward for
catching the rascals. But we were quite a posse, you know, so it only
amounted to thirty-seven cents a piece, when divided.”
Fumbling through his pockets, the conscientious Captain finally brought
forth a yellow cotton bag once filled with “cut plug” but now elevated
to the position of a bank.
“The constabule” had made an exact division of spoils grading down to
some odd pennies, and this was counted out upon the desk of the Tally
Keeper.
The boys were slightly disappointed at the sudden collapse of the
financial investments they had dreamed about, but they were good losers
and insisted that Captain Ed share the reward with them.
When order was once more restored, Uncle Tom made his report on target
practice. Amid prolonged applause, the first prize was a pocket-rifle
and was awarded to Billy. The second prize was a sheath-knife which
went to Dudley.
Under the heading of “unfinished business” Wita-tonkan called upon the
Pentagoets and visitors present at the Black Bear Day, to deliver the
rest of the scalps still due the victors in that contest.
Uncle Bill rose and said: “Oh Chief, I permitted my hair to grow all of
the time I was away from here. Now, behold, the result!”
As he spoke, he held aloft a magnificent pendant brush of long shining
hair which he had had made to order. This truly royal trophy was then
solemnly hung on the Black Bear totem-pole back of the Chief’s chair.
In turn, the rest of the scalps were hung beneath it, Uncle Tom and
some of the visitors having provided variegated locks: crimson, yellow,
green, purple, and blue tassels of horsehair.
“How! How!” sounded amid laughter in the Council Ring.
“Any Honours to be claimed?” questioned the Chief.
Fiji and Bob stood up and presented the signed papers for a canning
_coup_ each. They had joined a Government Canning Club and at
Wickeecheokee Farm that summer had canned twelve quarts each of
strawberries, cherries and raspberries, making the three dozen
necessary for a _coup_.
“When will you give a demonstration of your club-work? I’d like to be
one of the judges and chief taster,” asked Uncle Bill.
This gave the Woodcrafters an idea for a Thanksgiving exhibition which
they really carried out the ensuing winter.
Then, Dudley, Paul, Billy and Fred claimed the _coup_ for catching and
salting fish, each having more than the twenty-five to their account.
Wita-tonkan having awarded these _coups_ a question was raised as to
the fitting person to award the Honour to him.
“A Chief must receive Honours from another Chief,” announced Zan, the
Tally Keeper.
“Will the Grey Fox Chief award this Honour to the Chief of the
Pentagoet Tribe?” added she, turning to her brother.
Fiji acquitted himself with dignity, although it was the first time
that he had been called upon to act in this capacity.
Various Nature and Handcraft _coups_ were claimed by both girls and
boys, and Elizabeth, representing her home tribe of the Apawamis, was
awarded the Degrees of Hostess and Sister Craft.
Edith, Dudley and Paul, each claimed a _coup_ for knowing twenty-five
fish; the two boys announcing that, before they left the island that
summer, they hoped to have their Grand _Coups_ for sleeping out of
doors sixty successive nights.
[Illustration: SHINGEBIS IN COSTUME.
_Woodcraft Boys on Sunset Island._ _Page 256_]
“If I hadn’t had to go to Rosemary and sleep in Aunt Edith’s house
when mother went to Boston, I could have won that Grand _coup_, too!”
grumbled Edith.
Some one wondered why Wita-tonkan wore only his plain head-band at this
important Council and it was now explained.
Billy arose and said, “I, Shingebis, of the Black Bear Tribe, in behalf
of Wita-tonkan of the Black Bear Tribe, claim _coup_ for sailing
without expert help, one hundred and fifty miles in a season. Witnessed
by Captain Ed Blake, Moses Jackson, and Elizabeth Remington.”
A pause was broken by Shingebis, who gazed solemnly at the circle
of attentive faces and said impressively: “This is Wita-tonkan’s
twenty-fourth _coup_ and entitles him to the Sagamore ship!”
Fiji, slightly overwhelmed at the duties devolving upon him, was again
called forward to do service to a Brother Chief.
Zan and Elizabeth handed the Grey Fox Chief the Sagamore’s war-bonnet
and the twenty-fourth symbol. Fiji reverently inserted the feather,
then, holding aloft the coveted plumes he called upon Elizabeth to read
aloud to the Council, the exploits symbolised by this Sagamore’s Crown.
With a feeling of great pride in her brother’s achievement,
Pah-hlee-oh, the Moon-maid, read as follows:
1. The Swimming _Coup_
2. The Grand _Coup_ for sleeping sixty successive
nights out of doors
3. The Rubbing-Stick _Coup_
4. The Match-Fire _Coup_
5. The Grand _Coup_ for butterflies
6. The Grand _Coup_ for fish
7. The Flower _Coup_
8. The Grand _Coup_ for trees
9. The Hop-Step-and-Jump _Coup_
10. Chinning the Bar _Coup_
11. The Herald _Coup_
12. The Peace-Messenger _Coup_
13. Grand _Coup_ for Making Willow Bed
14. _Coup_ for Weaving Rush mat
15. Grand _Coup_ for knots
16. Star-Gazing _Coup_
17. Axe-Man _Coup_
18. The Cooking _Coup_
19. The Catch and Salting Fish _Coup_
20. Grand _Coup_ for Walking Five Miles in
Sixty-three Minutes and Forty-one Seconds
21. Grand _Coup_ for Moths
22. Grand _Coup_ for Putting Up Dumb-bell
23. _Coup_ for Making Bear for Council Game
24. The Sailing _Coup_.
As the long salvo of “Hows!” died away over the water, Fiji
ceremoniously placed the Crown upon the new-made Sagamore.
Every Woodcraft boy and girl present then in turn saluted the Sagamore
Wita-tonkan, which salute was his due every time he entered any Council
thereafter.
In a few words of intense feeling, Wita-tonkan thanked the Chief of the
Grey Foxes and the Council, then took again his place in the Chair.
The full programme was given that day. The Wako Tribe rendering the
Corn Dance in a finished and graceful manner. Fiji and Bob stood off
Billy and Paul in contests of tub-tilting and then the Pentagoet Tribe
gave a good account of themselves in singing and movies.
Just before the close of that Grand Council Uncle Bill, Uncle Tom, and
Mr. Remington made a momentous announcement.
“We have persuaded Dr. Baker and Mr. Hubert, acting as chauffeurs for
these Woodcraft visitors, to pronounce the two automobiles out of
condition for an immediate departure. Therefore, they have agreed to
extend the visit,” said Uncle Bill.
“Yes, the Grey Foxes are going to be the guests of the Sunset
Islanders, while the Wakos will visit Isola Bella,” continued Mr.
Remington.
“And the doctor and Mr. Hubert are to remain with me at Rosemary where
we three can chaperone the unruly cars,” added Uncle Tom.
But long before the third announcement was finished a babel started in
the Council Ring and could only be subdued by the Sagamore jumping up
and shouting wildly:
“Three cheers and a tiger!”
The order was obeyed with a vim that deafened all those present, and
echoed as far over to Isola Bella so that Bridget came out of her
domain and stood with hands upon her ample hips, remarking to herself:
“Some more av thim Injun fussin’s Oi s’pose.”
Oh, the joys of the next few days! Fishing, sailing--for the visitors
preferred sailing to any other sport--and exploring the islands; a
visit to the old wreck in Crow Cove, an impromptu clam-bake, and dances
in Fudge Attic of evenings where Uncle Bill made good his boast to the
members of Wako Tribe--that he was strong for the ladies!
On the morning of the last day, however, Dr. Baker and Mr. Hubert
silenced all petitions for a longer visit. So, the launches were
boarded and the visiting Woodcrafters and all of the Islanders were
soon carried over to Rosemary where the well-chaperoned cars had been
waiting.
“Say, Fiji, while the folks are admiring Uncle Tom’s garden s’posing we
show you boys the farm,” asked Fred.
“And we’ll show you the little pig we saved from the Katahdin wreck,”
cried Billy.
This idea was acted upon and soon the boys and girls were laughing at
the antics of the pig, now in an excellent condition owing to the
generosity of the Rosemary refectory.
As they all stood near the pen, Fiji began whistling a medley beginning
with Yankee Doodle, when, to the amazement of the children, piggy
instantly reared up on his hind legs and danced about, keeping very
good time with the whistling.
“Well, did you ever!” gasped Zan, turning to look at the others.
The boys and girls of the Island were as surprised as she, however, and
stood speechless, looking at the object of their unbelief.
“Say, that’s no fool of a pig! I’m going to try him again!” exclaimed
Fiji.
Katahdin had dropped to all fours when the musician had stopped
whistling and now came snuffling close to the fence for an accustomed
apple.
“I’ll run to the orchard for some apples!” cried Billy, while Fiji
started to whistle again.
Piggy again danced around and around causing the audience to shriek
with laughter.
“I bet you anything that’s a trick pig!” cried Fred.
“And it was crated for the County Fair--yes sir!” added Paul.
“Let me try some other stunts,” suggested Fiji, climbing over the fence.
Bob handed his brother a stick of wood while the other children waited
breathlessly to see the results of the experiment.
Fiji ordered in a commanding voice “Down, Piggy, down!”
Immediately, the pig lay down upon the ground.
“Dead dog, Dead!” now called the excited boy, forgetting for the moment
that he was not training Wickee, his collie dog.
But Katahdin cared naught for the error of names, and meekly turned
over on his back with all four short legs sticking stiffly upward.
A scream of laughter greeted this performance and an apple was fed the
eager pig.
“Fiji, see if he can play soldier like Wick does?” now said Bob. So,
the stick Fiji held was carefully placed in the crotch of the upright
pig’s foreleg. The pig was so tame that it showed absolutely no fear of
the children but stood obediently waiting for a command.
Whistling Yankee Doodle again, Fiji shouted “March!”
Katahdin ambled clumsily along carrying the stick for a gun, and the
children shouted wildly in their frenzy of delight. They felt that they
had saved the seventh wonder of the earth!
“Halt!” called Fiji, and the porcine performer obeyed.
“Present arms!” but the pig must have been accustomed to a different
act for it instantly grounded arms.
Uncles, aunts, and other adults were now hailed to come and witness
the great surprise. So piggy was once more put through his “steps” to
the wonderment of the grown-ups.
“I believe this is a valuable pig, children, and perhaps his master was
on the Katahdin also, and now is mourning the loss of his pet,” said
Mrs. Remington.
“Suppose we write the Eastern Steamship Company to ascertain who the
owner is, or just why this pig was shipped on the Katahdin,” suggested
Uncle Tom.
“Of course, the address was on the crate but was soaked off that day on
Scilly Ledge,” said Paul, regretfully.
“I think Uncle Tom’s plan the best--will you write at once, please?”
said Billy.
“This very day!” vowed Uncle Tom.
“Oh, do let us hear from you, will you, Mr. Charlton? and tell us
what you find out about Katahdin?” cried Zan, eagerly, as they walked
towards the waiting automobiles.
“Indeed, I will! The Sunset Islanders saved piggy’s life from a
watery grave, but the Grey Foxes saved him from the butcher’s blade!”
exclaimed Uncle Tom.
Then, amid shrill whistles, waving of caps and hats, and other forms
of farewell, the two cars started away carrying a pleased party of
visitors out of sight.
A week passed without a reply to Uncle Tom’s letter and every one began
worrying lest they would have to go back home without having found
Katahdin’s rightful owner.
Then came a bulky letter from the company. It contained letters written
to a man in the Rockland hospital and his replies. They all pertained
to the pig. After reading them, Uncle Tom smiled and started for Sunset
Island with the information.
“Well, Islanders! What to do about that pig?” asked he.
“Goodness me! Haven’t you had _any_ word, yet?” worried Paul.
“I’ve been thinking that I’d better hand him over to the Captain, if we
have to go without finding another owner,” said Uncle Tom, pretending
not to hear Paul’s question.
This caused a disquieting silence although the boys were very fond of
Captain Ed; still each one had secretly hoped to take the pig home
himself, if no other home had been found.
Uncle Tom laughed heartily for he read their thoughts correctly, and
felt that he had taken an unfair advantage of them. So, he took the
bundle of letters from his pocket and motioned the children to be
seated.
The letters proved that the owner of the trick pig was the only
passenger injured when the Katahdin was wrecked, and if he had
not tried to save the life of his beloved pet--his only source of
livelihood, he would have been spared some broken ribs. But, upon
hearing the frightened squeals coming from the pig that was kept in a
crate, the poor man endeavoured to drag the box on deck and thus was
struck by a falling spar.
The crew carried him to the lifeboat but he wanted to go back for his
pig! They held him fast, however, and sent him to the hospital for
attention. In his delirium he called and called for his pig, ordering
it to perform or calling it by endearing names when an act was well
done.
The nurses noted this and reported to the doctor and the kindly doctor
in turn reported to the authorities. Then, after hope had almost gone,
came the letter from Uncle Tom. To say the poor man felt joy and relief
at hearing that his pet was alive and so well cared for, was putting
it mildly. The letter he sent Uncle Tom was simply overflowing with
gratitude.
Before the Islanders left Maine to return to their city home, Uncle Tom
came for them to hurry back with him to Rosemary and meet the owner of
Katahdin.
Here, the pale but happy man shook hands with the children and thanked
them repeatedly for what they had unconsciously done for him.
“You see, when I first went on that boat, I wanted Pico--that’s his
right name--in my state-room with me but the steamship company wouldn’t
allow it, so they put him in a crate and put the poor thing down in
the room with the freight! Ah, me! How Pico must have suffered from
fright that time when the ship hit those rocks! And after, when he was
in the sea!”
The young pirates could have testified to the fear the poor pig felt as
shown by his wildness and squeals that day on the Zeus, but it would
not have helped the still weakened man to hear that story so nothing
was told him about the rescue.
The Islanders stood watching the happy owner strap the new crate on the
back of the buckboard he had hired, and when he drove way, turning now
and then to wave to the children, they sighed.
“Say, do you know what?” exclaimed Billy, suddenly.
“No, what?” demanded the others.
“Of all the adventures we’ve had at Sunset Island this summer, I’m not
so sure but that saving Pico for this lonely man isn’t the deed to be
recorded in our Tally as being of the most value and importance!”
And every one seconded Billy’s heartfelt motion.
The last days on Sunset Island came all too soon and after such
a wonderful summer of freedom and pleasures, the spectre of
school-lessons looming up with the limitations of city-life, created a
zeal to crowd in all possible sport.
As they all sailed for the last time over the bay to the Camp-Ground
landing where they expected to take the steamer, the three younger
boys thought with regret that they might have accomplished more than
they really had, but Wita-tonkan felt the glow of satisfaction that he
had realised one of his ambitions of life--that of being crowned the
Sagamore of Sunset Island.
EVERY BOY’S LIBRARY
BOY SCOUT EDITION
The books in this library have been proven by nation-wide canvass to be
the one most universally in demand by the boys themselves. Originally
published in more expensive editions only, they are now re-issued at
a lower price so that all boys may have the advantage of reading and
owning them. It is the only series of books published under the control
of this great organization, whose sole object is the welfare and
happiness of the boy himself.
Adventures in Beaver Stream Camp,
Major A. R. Dugmore
Along the Mohawk Trail,
Percy Keese Fitzhugh
Animal Heroes,
Ernest Thompson Seton
Baby Elton, Quarter-Back,
Leslie W. Quirk
Bartley, Freshman Pitcher,
William Heyliger
Billy Topsail with Doctor Luke of the Labrador,
Norman Duncan
The Biography of a Grizzly,
Ernest Thompson Seton
The Boy Scouts of Black Eagle Patrol,
Leslie W. Quirk
The Boy Scouts of Bob’s Hill,
Charles Pierce Burton
Brown Wolf and Other Stories,
Jack London
Buccaneers and Pirates of Our Coasts,
Frank R. Stockton
The Call of the Wild,
Jack London
Cattle Ranch to College,
R. Doubleday
College Years,
Ralph D. Paine
Cruise of the Cachalot,
Frank T. Bullen
The Cruise of the Dazzler,
Jack London
Don Strong, Patrol Leader,
W. Heyliger
Don Strong of the Wolf Patrol,
William Heyliger
For the Honor of the School,
Ralph Henry Barbour
The Gaunt Gray Wolf,
Dillon Wallace
Grit-a-Plenty,
Dillon Wallace
The Guns of Europe,
Joseph A. Altsheler
The Half-Back,
Ralph Henry Barbour
Handbook for Boys, Revised Edition
Boy Scouts of America
The Horsemen of the Plains,
Joseph A. Altsheler
Jim Davis,
John Masefield
Kidnapped,
Robert Louis Stevenson
Last of the Chiefs,
Joseph A. Altsheler
The Last of the Mohicans,
James Fenimore Cooper
Last of the Plainsmen,
Zane Grey
Lone Bull’s Mistake,
J. W. Shultz
Pete, The Cow Puncher,
J. B. Ames
The Quest of the Fish-Dog Skin,
James W. Schultz
Ranche on the Oxhide,
Henry Inman
The Ransom of Red Chief and Other O. Henry Stories for Boys,
Edited by F. K. Mathiews
Scouting With Daniel Boone,
Everett T. Tomlinson
Scouting With Kit Carson,
Everett T. Tomlinson
Through College on Nothing a Year,
Christian Gauss
Treasure Island,
Robert Louis Stevenson
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,
Jules Verne
Under Boy Scout Colors,
J. B. Ames
Ungava Bob,
Dillon Wallace
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK
Football and Baseball Stories
Durably Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
The Ralph Henry Barbour Books for Boys
In these up-to-the minute, spirited genuine stories of boy life there
is something which will appeal to every boy with the love of manliness,
cleanness and sportsmanship in his heart.
LEFT END EDWARDS
LEFT TACKLE THAYER
LEFT GUARD GILBERT
CENTER RUSH ROWLAND
FULLBACK FOSTER
LEFT HALF HARMON
RIGHT END EMERSON
RIGHT GUARD GRANT
The Christy Mathewson Books for Boys
Every boy wants to know how to play ball in the fairest and squarest
way. These books about boys and baseball are full of wholesome and
manly interest and information. Every young American who has ever tried
to stop a grounder or put one over to first will enjoy them and want to
own them all.
PITCHER POLLOCK
CATCHER CRAIG
FIRST BASE FAULKNER
SECOND BASE SLOAN
PITCHING IN A PINCH
* * *
THIRD BASE THATCHER, By Everett Scott
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE TOM SLADE BOOKS
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH Author of “Roy Blakeley,” “Pee-wee Harris,”
“Westy Martin,” Etc.
Illustrated. Individual Picture Wrappers in Colors. Every Volume
Complete in Itself.
“Let your boy grow up with Tom Slade,” is a suggestion which thousands
of parents have followed during the past, with the result that the TOM
SLADE BOOKS are the most popular boys’ books published today. They
take Tom Slade through a series of typical boy adventures through his
tenderfoot days as a scout, through his gallant days as an American
doughboy in France, back to his old patrol and the old camp ground at
Black Lake, and so on.
TOM SLADE, BOY SCOUT
TOM SLADE AT TEMPLE CAMP
TOM SLADE ON THE RIVER
TOM SLADE WITH THE COLORS
TOM SLADE ON A TRANSPORT
TOM SLADE WITH THE BOYS OVER THERE
TOM SLADE, MOTORCYCLE DISPATCH BEARER
TOM SLADE WITH THE FLYING CORPS
TOM SLADE AT BLACK LAKE
TOM SLADE ON MYSTERY TRAIL
TOM SLADE’S DOUBLE DARE
TOM SLADE ON OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN
TOM SLADE PICKS A WINNER
TOM SLADE AT BEAR MOUNTAIN
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE ROY BLAKELEY BOOKS
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH
Author of “Tom Slade,” “Pee-wee Harris,” “Westy Martin,” Etc.
Illustrated. Individual Picture Wrappers in Color. Every Volume
Complete in Itself.
In the character and adventures of Roy Blakeley are typified the very
essence of Boy life. He is a real boy, as real as Huck Finn and Tom
Sawyer. He is the moving spirit of the troop of Scouts of which he is
a member, and the average boy has to go only a little way in the first
book before Roy is the best friend he ever had, and he is willing to
part with his best treasure to get the next book in the series.
ROY BLAKELEY
ROY BLAKELEY’S ADVENTURES IN CAMP
ROY BLAKELEY, PATHFINDER
ROY BLAKELEY’S CAMP ON WHEELS
ROY BLAKELEY’S SILVER FOX PATROL
ROY BLAKELEY’S MOTOR CARAVAN
ROY BLAKELEY, LOST, STRAYED OR STOLEN
ROY BLAKELEY’S BEE-LINE HIKE
ROY BLAKELEY AT THE HAUNTED CAMP
ROY BLAKELEY’S FUNNY BONE HIKE
ROY BLAKELEY’S TANGLED TRAIL
ROY BLAKELEY ON THE MOHAWK TRAIL
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
Transcriber’s Note:
Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling and hyphenation have been
retained as they appear in the original publication except as follows:
Page 15
unweildy fish would surely _changed to_
unwieldy fish would surely
Page 118
as a resistable brace against _changed to_
as a resistible brace against
Page 146
lamned him with it _changed to_
lammed him with it
Page 147
wild squak from the chickens _changed to_
wild squawk from the chickens
Page 155
I I know what all that hammering _changed to_
I know what all that hammering
more eratic grew the time _changed to_
more erratic grew the time
Page 186
I know you were only only trying _changed to_
I know you were only trying
Page 255
from having read of the exhorbitant _changed to_
from having read of the exorbitant