[Illustration: The Chief Torch Bearer Led the Way.]
The Torch Bearer led the way to the end of the camp street, then turning
marched slowly to the campfire where she laid the torch upon the ground
then made the hand sign of the early Indians, the fingers of the right
hand laid across the fingers of the left with the first finger of the
right hand slightly raised. The crossed fingers were to indicate crossed
logs and the slightly raised forefinger of the right hand represented the
curving flame rising from the burning logs. This sign was returned by the
Chief Guardian. Then the two turned, facing the girls of the camp who were
standing in a semi-circle about the fire. To them, the Chief Guardian
and the Torch Bearer made the hand sign which was answered in the same way
by all of the Camp Girls.
"Thith giveth me the thiverth," whispered Tommy, groping for Harriet's
hand.
Harriet warned her to be quiet. Then at a gesture from the Chief Guardian
the girls sat down cross-legged on the ground. It had been not only an
unusual ceremony to the Meadow-Brook Girls, but an impressive one. The
real interest, however, was in what lay before them. Harriet had no idea
what was to be done, though she had learned from the stray words that had
been dropped in her presence, that the purpose of the Council Fire was to
make an inquiry into the events of the previous evening, perhaps ending in
the dismissal of one or more girls from the camp.
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