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Woodcraft Boys at Sunset Island

<h2>CHAPTER FOURTEEN THE TWENTY-FOURTH FEATHER</h2> EARLY in the morning of the festive day, Mose came to Mrs. Remington with a question expressed in his troubled eyes. “We ain’t got dishes enough, nohow, fer de big crowd yo’ all is expectin’,” said he. “Why, Mose! What about all those shooks of wooden plates salvaged from the wreck—and the other wooden things?” said she. “Oh, Ah diden’ know yo’ all woul’ want t’ use dem fo’ Noo Yoak comp’ny,” apologised Mose, who wanted to put “the best foot foremost” with expected strangers. “You know, it isn’t the dishes they’ll notice, Mose, but what’s on them!” declared Mrs. Remington wisely. “Ah s’pose so!” conceded the half-convinced cook. The Great Convocation having safely arrived on Sunset Island, the morning was devoted to all sorts of athletics and water-sport contests. The Grey Fox boys acquitted themselves admirably for such young beginners in Woodcraft, and they seized the chance in the presence of so many witnesses254 to win coups for “chinning the bar,” “hop, step, and jump” and other games. The canoe-tag was a laughable affair—naturally, the contestants wore bathing suits. Uncle Tom and Uncle Bill loaned their canoes to the visitors for the day. “Tell you what, boys, this makes me feel young again!” exclaimed Uncle Bill, as he laughed at certain tricks. “Why, Uncle Bill! You’re not old,” defended Billy. “No indeed, he is just as young as any of us!” said Fred. “About as young as Teddy, for instance,” laughed Mrs. Remington. “Yes, as young and as foolish,” added Aunt Miriam. And Uncle Bill quickly diverted every one’s attention to a beautiful schooner ploughing through the waves of the bay. That day the luncheon was a picnic affair, for all of the Rosemary and Isola Bella relatives brought huge hampers of food. Immediately after the lunch a cleanup brigade got rid of the debris before the final preparations were made for the Grand Council. Then, the boys’ and girls’ tents were filled with excited Woodcrafters adding the finishing touches to their ceremonial costumes. For, whatever else was lacking in the suitcases of the Wako Girls and Grey Fox Boys, it was not the tiniest or bulkiest item of their Woodcraft Council Robes! No indeed! Three o’clock found a goodly company completely255 circling the Council 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 Constabule 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 <ins title="Original has exhorbitant">exorbitant</ins>256 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 was257 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?258 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. <div class="figcenter width400"> <ANTIMG src="images/i-258.jpg" width-obs="400" height-obs="696" alt="" /> <div class="caption">SHINGEBIS IN COSTUME. Woodcraft Boys on Sunset Island. Page 256</div> </div> 259 “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: 260 <ul class="fish_coup"> <li>&ensp;1. The Swimming Coup</li> <li>&ensp;2. The Grand Coup for sleeping sixty successive nights out of doors</li> <li>&ensp;3. The Rubbing-Stick Coup</li> <li>&ensp;4. The Match-Fire Coup</li> <li>&ensp;5. The Grand Coup for butterflies</li> <li>&ensp;6. The Grand Coup for fish</li> <li>&ensp;7. The Flower Coup</li> <li>&ensp;8. The Grand Coup for trees</li> <li>&ensp;9. The Hop-Step-and-Jump Coup</li> <li>10. Chinning the Bar Coup</li> <li>11. The Herald Coup</li> <li>12. The Peace-Messenger Coup</li> <li>13. Grand Coup for Making Willow Bed</li> <li>14. Coup for Weaving Rush mat</li> <li>15. Grand Coup for knots</li> <li>16. Star-Gazing Coup</li> <li>17. Axe-Man Coup</li> <li>18. The Cooking Coup</li> <li>19. The Catch and Salting Fish Coup</li> <li>20. Grand Coup for Walking Five Miles in Sixty-three Minutes and Forty-one Seconds</li> <li>21. Grand Coup for Moths</li> <li>22. Grand Coup for Putting Up Dumb-bell</li> <li>23. Coup for Making Bear for Council Game</li> <li>24. The Sailing Coup.</li> </ul> As the long salvo of “Hows!” died away over the261 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 finished262 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 an263 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. 264 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 to265 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 have266 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, he267 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, so268 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 take269 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. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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