As Miss Drexal rose and began the short but impressive ceremony by asking the candidate to rise also, a sigh of pure satisfaction fluttered up from those seated. Wearing the ceremonial robe she had worked so hard to complete since that eventful trip to Disaster Island, her auburn hair hanging far below her waist in two heavy braids, Blanche had never appeared more attractive. The arrogant5, self-satisfied expression of old had entirely6 disappeared from her face, leaving it girlishly wistful as she listened to the words of the Guardian7, and made the necessary replies. It was indeed a proud moment for her when Miss Drexal stepped over to her, saying:
“As Guardian of the Fire, and in token of your having fulfilled the requirements necessary for the rank of Wood Gatherer, I place on the little finger of your left hand this ring with its design of seven fagots symbolic8 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 watch-words of this organization, Work, Health and Love.”
Familiar as they all were with this particular ceremony, the Equitable9 Eight had never felt more impressed than when, at the Guardian’s request, they rose and repeated:
“As fagots are brought from the forest
Firmly held by the sinews which bind10 them,
So cleave11 to these others, your sisters,
Wherever, whenever you find them.
“Be strong as the fagots are sturdy,
Be pure in your deepest desire,
Be true to the truth that is in you,
And—follow the Law of the Fire.”
Clearly and sweetly Blanche responded:
“As fagots are brought from the forest
Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
I will cleave to my Camp Fire sisters
Wherever, whenever I find them.
“I will strive to grow strong like the pine tree,
To be pure in my deepest desire,
To be true to the truth that is in me,
And follow the Law of the Fire.”
The ringing vocal12 cheer that succeeded the pledge brought an approving flash to the black eyes of the Indian guide. Blue Wolf, as the guest of honor, squatted13 just outside the magic ring of fire-worshippers.
“You are now at liberty to congratulate Alsea, our new Wood Gatherer,” announced the Guardian when Blanche had finished reciting.
“Just one minute!” Blanche appealed. “I have something to say first that I wish you all to hear.” Meeting Ruth’s startled eyes, full of mute protest, Blanche smiled reassuringly14.
“I am sure you must understand just how glad I am to have become a Wood Gatherer,” she continued, addressing the group. “It took me a long time to get started on the right track. I thank you all for your interest and help. You’ve been very patient with me. But I know you’ll agree with me when I say that I owe a special debt of gratitude15 to Ruth Garnier. She is the truest, finest, bravest girl I’ve ever known, and I hope always to be worthy16 of her friendship.”
The sincere but unexpected tribute to Ruth received the ovation17 it deserved. A moment later, Blanche was surrounded, eager hands outstretched to grasp her own.
“It was dear in you, Blanche.” Ruth’s cheeks were rosy18 as she proffered19 both hands to the smiling Wood Gatherer. “You shouldn’t have said it, though. All I can do is to return the compliment.”
“A mutual20 admiration21 society,” beamed Frances. “I must join it.” Her eyes lighting22 on Jane, she said effusively23: “Mere words cannot express my deep and respectful admiration for you, Plain Jane!”
“I certainly am surprised,” remarked Jane unappreciatively. “I hope you’ll remember that the next time you try to drag me into an argument.”
“You mean, the next time you try to drag me into one,” corrected Frances.
“I don’t mean that at all. I—”
“They’ve begun,” groaned24 Anne. “The only way to stop them is to sing them down. I propose we give the Song to our Guest, for Blue Wolf’s benefit. Go and drag him into the circle, Ruth. He can’t resist you.”
Three minutes later, the group had formed again around the Camp Fire, Blue Wolf seated in the circle between Miss Drexal and Ruth. His stoical countenance25 seemed actually to soften26 as he listened to the fresh young voices of the singers. Persuaded by Ruth, he finally consented to reply to the song with one of his weird27 chants. Following it, at his earnest request, the girls sang several other Camp Fire songs for him, ending with the inevitable28, “Now our Camp Fire’s burning low.”
The last rite29, that of extinguishing the fire, having been performed, the party strolled back in the moonlight to Wohelo Wigwam. The first light of the morrow would find them up and preparing to leave the shores of the beautiful little lake, where they had spent many happy and a few unhappy hours.
“I hate to say good-bye to Vermilion Lake,” sighed Betty, as by common consent the little band of Camp Fire enthusiasts30 tarried before the tents for a last brief session in the moonlight. “I wonder if we’ll ever see it again after to-morrow.”
“I hope so,” smiled Miss Drexal. “As long as I continue to spend my summers at Driftwood Heights, you are all welcome to share it with me. It’s not such a far cry from there to here, you know. Besides, you mustn’t forget Blue Wolf. He confided31 to me to-night that you were ‘heap nice girls,’ and looks forward to being guide for us again sometime.”
“We ought to make him an honorary member of our Camp Fire group,” suggested Ruth gaily32. “I’m going to propose it to him—”
“Not to-night,” cut in Jane. “He has gone to his shack33. I saw him when he went. He didn’t even stop to say good-night, how, ugh, or anything else.”
“He’s a wise Indian. He knows what’s ahead of him to-morrow,” declared Anne.
“And so do we,” reminded Miss Drexal slyly. “It’s time for ‘Taps,’ girls. We must make the most of our bough34 beds while we have them. To-morrow night will find us sleeping in ordinary four-posters.”
“Just as soon as we get settled in the buckboard to-morrow for our ride back to Tower, I am going to make you girls decide that the next reunion is to be held at that incomparable hanging-out place of the Bliss35 Family, known as ‘Sweet Water Ranch36.’” It was Frances who made this bold announcement.
“You won’t have a chance to say a word,” warned Sarah. “I shall do all the talking in favor of Red Rock Ranch, the home of the hospitable37 Mannings.”
“Don’t either of you be too sure. You may all find yourselves down in old Kentuck next summer,” asserted Jane stoutly38. “The Pellews are going to have their chance at entertaining.”
During this lively controversy39, Miss Drexal had slipped away from the would-be entertainers and entered the tents. The mournfully sweet call of “Lights Out” cut in two a spirited harangue40 to which Frances had been moved by Jane’s entering the lists.
“To be continued in the buckboard,” laughed Emmy.
“I name Frances now as the winner,” predicted Marian. “She has the original gift of gab41 uncommon42 strong.”
“But wherever we happen to be next summer, let’s hope that we’ll all be together,” said Ruth softly.
“United we flourish, divided we languish43!” supplied Frances.
Although she spoke44 in jest, sincere truth underlay45 her playful words. Their second summer together had doubly proved to the Equitable Eight the beauty of that splendid word “Comradeship.”
Where the next summer found them, and how they spent it, will be told in “The Camp Fire Girls at Sweet Water Ranch.”
THE END
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1
inquisitively
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| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
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2
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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4
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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6
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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7
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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8
symbolic
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| adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的 | |
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9
equitable
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| adj.公平的；公正的 | |
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10
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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11
cleave
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| v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋 | |
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12
vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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13
squatted
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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14
reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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15
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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16
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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17
ovation
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| n.欢呼，热烈欢迎，热烈鼓掌 | |
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18
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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19
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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21
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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22
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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23
effusively
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| adv.变溢地，热情洋溢地 | |
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24
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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25
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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26
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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27
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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28
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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29
rite
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| n.典礼，惯例，习俗 | |
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30
enthusiasts
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| n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 ) | |
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31
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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32
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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33
shack
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| adj.简陋的小屋，窝棚 | |
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34
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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35
bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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36
ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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37
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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38
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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39
controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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40
harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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41
gab
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| v.空谈，唠叨，瞎扯；n.饶舌，多嘴，爱说话 | |
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42
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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43
languish
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| vi.变得衰弱无力，失去活力，（植物等）凋萎 | |
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44
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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45
underlay
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| v.位于或存在于（某物）之下( underlie的过去式 )；构成…的基础（或起因），引起n.衬垫物 | |
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