CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A BIRTHDAY PARTY IN CAMP
As the days sped, the Guide felt the secrecy most evident when shecame unexpectedly upon the girls. Surprised screams, and hurriedhiding of bulky articles, caused her finally to realise that it wasfor her birthday. Hints had dropped at various times, that some galaday was approaching, so the Guide determined on her part to give thegirls a great surprise also. She took Bill and Mrs. Sherwood into herconfidence and the result was that everything prospered for her planwithout the girls having the slightest thought of what would occur.
The day before the birthday, Mrs. Sherwood spent the whole forenoonbaking and preparing a feast for more than a score of people. Bill wasaway at Hamilton's to see about a large carry-all that Hamilton ownedbut seldom used. The Guide was most concerned about having the tentsall in order, and the ceremonial robes in perfect condition.
It appeared that the girls had completed their work, for they hadnothing better to do than watch and offer suggestion for the Guide.Finally, she called them together and said, "Are you all quite sure ofthe dances?"
"Of course, didn't Nita teach us how to do the War dance, the Snakedance and the Caribou and Scalp dances for _coups_ just as soon asshe perfected herself in the steps, and haven't we got most beautifulwooden horns and war-clubs?" said Zan.
"Well, let us try them to-day--to-morrow I want to spend the day inanother quest. Something I haven't mentioned before, but which I havegiven much thought to," said Miss Miller, seriously.
"To-morrow! Oh, Miss Miller, not to-morrow! That is our regularice-cream day, and if you take us away on a hike or nature-study wewon't be here to freeze the cream!" argued Zan.
Miss Miller admired Zan's clever acting but she, too, felt she must acta 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 uponhumouring the Guide with the dances. They always enjoyed these, as theywere so unusual, so now they soon entered into the sport with a zestand energy not to be found in common dancing.
Miss Miller was thoroughly satisfied with the exhibition and clappedapprovingly. While the girls sat down, panting, she said, "Each oneof us can take down and put up a tent in the required time; we canmake fires with wild-wood materials only, we can show city folks howto make the finest bed possible, and teach some how to give first aidwhen needed. What with our sets of rubbing sticks made by hand, ourbead-looms, butterfly nets, and Tally Books, I think we have a mightyfine showing for a month's work, don't you?"
"Not only that, but just think of all we can do now, that we neverdreamed of knowing! Hitch a horse and repair the harness, make or patchgarments, 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 ourTally Books to prove all that has been done," said Jane.
"Yes, girls, I am highly complimented by the progress you all havemade, but I regret deeply that no one is here to enjoy our work as wedo ourselves," sighed Miss Miller.
"Oh, don't worry over that, Miss Miller; toward the end of summer wewill invite a crowd down and take the day in showing off. That will bea fine time to get a crowd of our schoolchums here and see how theytake 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 girlsbuzzing about waiting to be admitted," giggled Hilda.
"I bet there's a lot of them sorry this minute that they didn't joinwhen I invited them to!" said Zan, decidedly.
"Well, girls, I have an errand at Sherwoods' so I will run down, butI'll be back inside of an hour," confessed the Guide, as she starteddown 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 occupiedfor a time while Nita quietly took a package from under her cot andwrapped 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 theGuide, although she had spent many hours by herself during the pastweek. She had showed a desire to join in the gift-making when Zan andJane told her of the decorated bead-loom and the butterfly tray theywere making, but she gave no further sign of personal interest in theirgifts. Hilda had not been able to see just what Nita made but she knewit was something that was made by hand. Believing that she wished itkept secret, Hilda whispered to Nita that she wouldn't tell!
The following morning the sun shone brightly down through the leaves ofthe trees, causing Wickee to blink his eyes before any of the Band werestirring. Being unduly awakened, Wickee decided it was high time forthe others to be up, so he jumped upon the cots and pulled the sheetsabout until the girls shrieked at him to desist.
Miss Miller had, for some unknown cause, set her alarm clock and now itbegan ringing its warning to get up. Soon every one was out and wishingher many happy returns of the day. The breakfast was under way beforeany hint of unusual things occurred. Then, as the Guide hurried to theplace where the cloth was spread she almost collided with Zan carryinga long mysterious parcel. Both laughed, but the Guide returned to thefire while Zan placed the gift on the grass where Miss Miller sat.
Jane and Elena added their gift, and Nita sidled over sheepishly andlaid down a wrapped gift, much to the delight of the other girls. Thenall ran over to assist in serving the breakfast.
Miss Miller was highly pleased and seemed greatly surprised at theunexpected gifts, but, upon opening them, she was most sincere in herexclamations of pleasure.
Not only had Jane and Elena won _coups_ in finding and properlymounting beautiful butterflies and insects, but they had chosen thefinest specimens and arranged them in a tray as they had planned. Withthe feathery grasses and a few leaves on the pure white cotton, theymade a dainty gift when securely covered with glass and framed withcherry-wood having a brass handle on each end of the tray.
They finished the tray and found there was ample time to make a largepicture of blue-prints of natural flowers and frame it. The delicateveining and tiny picoted edges of the leaves stood out in wonderfulcontrast on the dark-blue paper. This group had been framed in mouldingsawed and joined and rubbed with oil by the two girls. Later, theyconfided to the others that they had scoured the tool-house for bitsof moulding and Bill was well-nigh crazy showing them how to join thecorners.
Zan and Hilda made a beautiful bead-loom--a work of art. The designburnt in on the top of the flat board was executed most artistically,and the uprights, wheels and winder, were accurately fitted to worksmoothly.
Beside this, the two girls wove a braided mat similar to those in thefarm-house, to the manufacture of which Mrs. Sherwood donated cutstrips of rags.
But the gift that gave the keenest pleasure to the Guide, because madeby Nita, proving her change of consciousness, was a Tomtom, beautifullydecorated. So meritorious was it that Miss Miller exclaimed upon seeingit, "Why, Nita, I believe you can win a grand _coup_ for this beautifulwork!"
Nita was delighted and explained how she made it. How the frame wasmade of the circle of an old bentwood chair, the pieces of which werefound in the barn. How Bill stopped at the saddler's in Junction andobtained a piece of raw-hide for her. How hard it had been to lace theraw-hide to the frame and the difficulty she had in decorating theTotem on the Tomtom.
True admiration was so rare a thing in Nita's experience of life thatshe felt embarrassed at first, but the Guide made her feel more atease 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 hercheeks. At a sudden gurgle from Zan, every one burst out laughinghysterically.
"Well, I don't care if you did catch me crying like an infant!"declared Miss Miller, still laughing. "But t
hey were tears of gladnessat 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 wroteto the doctor for the things I couldn't get here."
"Oh, do let us see what it is! We will promise to wait patiently foryou to finish it!" exclaimed the Guide, eagerly.
Only too glad to show it, Nita ran to her tent and drew a long packagefrom under the cot. Running back with it, she displayed a targethalf-finished and a long paper parcel which proved to be a bow and somearrows 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 Tomtomwill help us in dancing," added Miss Miller.
"That's what made me think of making one--I just hated to dance withoutmusic or rhythm to step by!" said Nita, happily.
A shout from Sherwoods' cottage reminded Miss Miller of some importantduty she was delaying, so she hurried away after saying that she wouldbe back in half an hour.
The moment breakfast dishes were washed the girls tried a dance whileone beat the Tomtom. Then Zan suggested that they try the bow andarrows.
"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 theyhurried to select each one an arrow.
As Miss Miller returned to the Bluff her face was happy and smiling, sothat Zan asked, "Well, what have you planned now to celebrate the daywith?"
"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 wildflowers to finish our collection for a _coup_!" cried Elena.
"I'll tell you what, girls! Let's stay right here and work on the newbead-loom and make a few bead-bands!" said Jane, watching Miss Millersuspiciously.
The Guide appeared to be most anxious at that and said, "How foolish towaste 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 butshe kept it to herself, and eagerly abetted all effort to get the girlsaway from the Bluff as soon as could be.
During the walk that morning they found enough wild flowers tomake their fifty varieties so that each could claim a _coup_. Janedetermined to keep on and find fifty more to win a grand _coup_.
On the return walk, Miss Miller found some splendid rushes and theplace was marked so that it could be quickly found again when they hadmore 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 waitbetter here than at camp," replied the Guide, who appeared to be veryanxious to get back to camp. She frequently consulted her watch andfelt impatient when one of the girls wanted to stop and examine a plantor leaf.
"You're sure you all have your Tally Books up to date?" queried MissMiller, as they drew near the Big Bridge.
"Sure! Didn't you ask us to bring them right up to yesterday'sCouncil!" 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 thecarry-all from Hamilton's, standing in the road. Two heavy horses werehitched to it, but they were tied to a post while their noses wereburied 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-upmirth. Zan looked at her keenly for a second, then ran after the Guide.The other three girls followed, conscious of the subdued excitement inthe air.
Arrived on the Bluff, the girls were dumbfounded to find a grand feastspread out on the rocks. Mrs. Sherwood was busy by the ice-chestplacing some dish inside, but the rest of the birthday feast waswaiting 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 andsilver for each.
The girls turned to question Miss Miller and found her laughingheartily at their surprise. Before anything further could be done, Zancaught sight of some familiar form in her tent. With a shout of "Daddy!Daddy!" she rushed madly over and found herself surrounded by herentire family.
They came out laughing at the faces of the other girls. In anothermoment, Jane's family appeared from behind a tent. That gave the cueto others, and soon, Elena's mother and Hilda's brother came over tojoin the others. The doctor explained that her mother could not leave aserious case she had but sent a letter instead for Hilda to enjoy.
Every one saw the consternation Nita felt when she eagerly ran fromtent to tent seeking for some one from her family, but nothing inshape of father or mother, or letter was found.
Miss Miller suddenly grasped the doctor's sleeve and whisperedfrantically in his ear. He quickly went over to the tent where Nitastood breathless, ready to break down at the awful suggestion thateither her people were not invited or else they cared so little for herthat they never bothered to write!
"Oh, Nita, dear! Come here--I forgot to give you a message from yourmother! I was so delighted to see Zan, I almost overlooked you!" saidDr. 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 hadthe greatest difficulty in reaching each other. Now, I tried again andagain to reach your folks by 'phone, but I heard your father is away ona business trip and your mother is spending a few days with friends atNewport. So, you see, Nita, how dreadfully disappointed they will bewhen they hear all about this party!"
As he spoke, the doctor led the girl back to the others, taking all theblame upon himself for not being able to find her parents. But he nevermentioned to any one excepting the Guide, that Mrs. Brampton sneered atthe suggestion of giving up a Newport trip for a visit to the farm, andleft 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 beenpostponed if he had really wanted to do so. But Nita was comforted atthe report the doctor gave, and if there lurked a semblance to untruthin his meaning, the recording angel overlooked it, for his motive washigh and holy.
The great feast went off with wonderful ease, considering the scarcityof 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 attendingto other things the visitors had no idea of.
When the dinner was over and everything presented a look of orderagain, the doctor excused himself while he went to Bill's cottage tomeet the postman who could be seen driving along the road. No furtherthought was given to this, however, as the young hostesses were fullyoccupied showing their collections of flowers, insects, and Tally Books.
When every one had admired the hand-craft and woodlore the Band hadlearned, they were invited to sit in a wide circle while the girlsentertained them with dancing and fire-making. At just this time, thedoctor returned accompanied by a stranger. He brought the man directlytoward Miss Miller who smiled and held out her hand in greeting.
Then it became known that the visitor was a Medicine Man, an old friendof 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 daythat they all intended going to the farm, thereby having him present asguest at the Woodcraft camp. He gladly acquiesced to the plan and thushe was able to see the work accomplished in a month by a Band hithertountrained in the ways of Woodcraft lor
e. To say he was delighted wouldbe to express his pleasure in too weak terms.
The girls acquitted themselves admirably in dancing while the Guidebeat the new Tomtom. The Medicine Man gave them valuable hints aboutthe true Indian Dancing, and complimented Nita on her teaching, thenthey made fires in required time, they did various kinds of swimming inthe pool, and in every possible way entertained the visitors in a mostunique and enjoyable manner. The Medicine Man took charge of affairs,and at last, when everything had been finished, he suggested that hepin the honours on their ceremonial robes. This was a treat unlookedfor, as Miss Miller thought they would all have to wait until theirreturn to the city before being awarded the honours.
The blanks for _coups_ and honours, which had been sent fromHeadquarters, were soon filled in and witnessed, and the Band highlyflattered by the speech the Medicine Man made to them before taking hisdeparture.
Dr. Baker accompanied him to the cottage, where Bill waited to drivehim 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 theycertainly are a wonderful group of Woodcrafters now, and I shallhave particular pleasure in speaking of them to my associates atHeadquarters. A sight like the one I enjoyed this afternoon is oneof the best tonics in our work, and it encourages us to progress andexpand."
"Well, if you saw some of those very girls when school closed, a monthago, you would swear some witchcraft was working for them! I neversaw such improvement in girls in so short a time," declared Dr. Bakeremphatically.
By the time the doctor returned to the Bluff a lively chase was readyto begin. Zan's two brothers thoroughly enjoyed the plan, and Fiji wasto be Master of the game. He was expected to run away with a stuffedburlap bag that represented a deer, and hide it in some out-of-the-wayspot 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 thescent and follow. These scents were supposed to cross each other or runoff in a far different direction from which the deer eventually followsin order to hide itself.
The moment the doctor arrived the signal was given, and Fiji startedoff with the deer under his arm. As the animal had been made thatmorning, in a great hurry, Miss Miller used a burlap bag stuffed withstraw, and painted the features on its head. Fiji's pockets werefilled with corn, and he was admonished not to take it to rocky ledgesor steep mountain-sides, as the hunters would not have time to stop andhunt for lost arrows in the dense undergrowth of the ravine.
After about ten minutes' start the hunters followed after the deer. Thedoctor felt like a boy again, taking part in the simple sport. Everyone was provided with bows and arrows, and was expected to do theirbest in hitting the deer in the heart.
More than an hour was spent in finding the spot the deer had for arefuge. Then, Zan being the first to lead, gave the signal that thedeer was found. They all trailed along the corn scent until they metnear the entrance to the cave. Here, against the opening, stood thebrave burlap deer, and Zan soon had the satisfaction of chasing Fijidown the hill-side, fleeing from her arrows, which she aimed at him inpunishment for doing the very thing he had been told not to do. Thedoctor picked up the helpless deer and laughingly carried it back tocamp.
"I think Fiji is too mean for anything, Miss Miller, because wemight 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 huntjust as much as if the deer had been killed.
All too soon came the time to bid the visitors good-bye, and the girlsheard with pride their parents commend Miss Miller on the wonderfulimprovement in them all. The great carryall was waiting at Bill's, soevery one ran down the slope, the visitors climbing in, and the camperswatching and advising, until Bill flourished his whip and rattled offalong the road to Junction.
Gathered about the rock where Council generally was held, the girlsreviewed 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 neverdreamed that Miss Miller had planned it. I thought perhaps some of ourfolks were coming down to surprise us, and I was delighted to think itfell on your birthday," said Zan.
Then the Guide told how she first got the idea to surprise them inreturn for their secrets.
"Well, the doctor seems thoroughly pleased with our experiment, doesn'the?" said Hilda, remembering the wondering looks of all of the parents.
"Indeed he is! He told me, just before leaving, that the remarkableimprovement 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 tobe 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 havenot heard you in a month, but to yourself it may not seem such animprovement," explained Miss Miller.
"What was it about me?" queried Nita timidly.
"He said he had never seen you in such fine health. He said that yourvery hair sparkled with better vitality, and your eyes were a restedblue now, where they used to be so tired. Then, too, he spoke of theimproved poise in your general manners," said Miss Miller kindly,patting Nita on the shoulder.
"I'm so glad, but I really did feel badly, Miss Miller, when I foundit was impossible for my family to be here with the others. I am suremother would have been proud to see how well I am, and father wouldtake great pleasure in seeing me do all the things I can do now," saidNita wistfully.
At that admission, the Guide thanked goodness that she had urged thedoctor to make an excuse for Nita's parents, and she vowed that never aword of the truth would reach the girl from her. Time, she knew to bea kind healer, so it would not hurt as much should Mrs. Brampton evermention it. But Miss Miller thought she understood Nita's mother wellenough to know that of her own accord she would never touch upon anunpleasant subject.
The Band were so fatigued that immediately after a light supper theysought their cots, and were soon sound asleep.