The in the Woods Part 11 (2/2)

As each girl pa.s.sed before her, Mrs. Chester made the sign of the Fire, by raising her right hand slowly, in a sweeping gesture, after first crossing its fingers against those of the left hand. Each girl returned the sign and then pa.s.sed to her place in the great circle about the f.a.gots, where she sat down.

When all the girls were seated, Mrs. Chester spoke.

”The Manasquan Camp Fire has the honor of lighting our Council Fire to-night,” she said. ”Ayu!”

And Ayu stepped forward. She had with her the simple tools that are required for making fire in the Indian fas.h.i.+on. It is not enough, as some people believe, to rub two sticks together, and Bessie and Zara, who had never seen this trick played before, watched her with great interest. Ayu had, first, a block of wood, not very thick, in which a notch had been cut. In this notch she rested a long, thin stick, and on top of that was a small piece of wood, in which the stick or drill rested. And, last of all, she had a bow, with a leather thong, which was slipped around the drill.

When everything was ready Ayu, holding down the fire block with one foot, held the socket of the drill with the left hand, while with the right she drew the bow rapidly back and forth. In less than a minute there was a tiny spark. Then rapidly growing, flame appeared and a moment later, along the carefully prepared tinder, the fire ran to the kindling beneath the f.a.gots. And then, as the flames rose and began to curl about the f.a.gots all the girls began to sing together the Camp Fire Girl Ode to Fire: ”Oh, Fire!

Long years ago when our fathers fought with great animals you were their protection.

From the cruel cold of winter you saved them.

When they needed food you changed the flesh of beasts into savory food for them.

During all the ages your mysterious flame has been a symbol to them for Spirit.

So to-night we light our fire in remembrance of the Great Spirit who gave you to us.”

Then each Guardian called the roll of her Camp Fire, and as each girl's ceremonial name was called she answered, ”Kolah!”

”That means friend,” someone whispered to Bessie and Zara.

”We are to receive two new members to-night,” said Mrs. Chester, then. ”Wanaka, they come in your Camp Fire. Will you initiate them into the Camp Fire circle?”

Then she sat down, and Wanaka took her place in the centre. Bessie and Zara understood that it was time for them to step forward, and they stood out in the dancing light of the fire, which was roaring up now, and casting its light into the shadows about the circle. All the girls stood up.

Bessie came first, and Wanaka turned to her.

”Is it your desire to become a Camp Fire Girl and follow the law of the Fire?”

And Bessie, who had been taught the form to be followed, answered: ”It is my desire to become a Camp Fire Girl and to obey the law of the Camp Fire, which is to Seek Beauty, Give Service, Pursue Knowledge, Be Trustworthy, Hold on to Health, Glorify Work, Be Happy. This law of the Camp Fire I will strive to follow.”

Then she held out her left hand, and Eleanor took it, saying: ”In the name of the Camp Fire Girls of America, I place on the little finger of your left hand this ring, with its design of seven f.a.gots, symbolic of the seven points of the law of the Fire, which you have expressed your desire to follow, and of the three circles on either side, symbolic of the three watchwords of this organization -- Work, Health, and Love. And -- ”As f.a.gots are brought from the forest Firmly held by the sinews which bind them, So cleave to these others, your sisters, Wherever, whenever, you find them.

”Be strong as the f.a.gots are st.u.r.dy; Be pure in your deepest desire; Be true to the truth that is in you; And -- follow the law of the Fire.”

Then, as Bessie, or Stella, as, at the Council Fire she was to be know thereafter, made her way back to her place, all the girls sang the Wo-he-lo song by way of welcoming her as one of them.

Then it was Zara's turn, and the same beautiful ceremony was repeated for her.

”Now the Snug Harbor Camp Fire is going to entertain us with some new Indian dances they have learned,” said Mrs. Chester. ”I am sure we will all enjoy that.”

And they did. No Indian girls ever danced with the grace and beauty that those young American girls put into their interpretation of the old-fas.h.i.+oned dances, which made all the other Camp Fires determine to try to learn them, too. And after that there was a talk from Mrs. Chester on the purpose of the organization. Then, finally, taps sounded, and the Council Fire was over.

”So you really are Camp Fire Girls,” said Eleanor, to the two new members. ”Soon we shall be back in the city and there I am sure that many things will happen to you. Some of them will be hard, but you will get through them all right. And remember we mean to help you, no matter what happens. Zara shall have her father back, and we will do all we can, Bessie, to help you find your parents. Good-night!”

”Good-night!”

2 RTEXTMSIE.

<script>