As a matter of fact, it was the swimming-pond that turned the day.  The Boilers voted to join the Sangers.  Their holiday was only ten days, the Sangers had got a week’s extension, and all knew that they could get most out of their time by going to the pond camp.  The question of a name was decided by Little Beaver.

“Boiler Warriors,” said he, “it is the custom of the Indians to have the Tribes divided in clans.  We are the Sanger clan.  You are the Boiler clan.  But as we all live in Sanger we are all Sanger Indians.”

“Who’s to be Head Chief?”

Blackhawk had no notion of submitting to Woodpecker, whom he had licked, nor would Woodpecker accept a Chief of the inferior tribe.  One suggested that Little Beaver be Chief, but out of loyalty to his friend, the Woodpecker, Yan declined.

“Better leave that for a few days till you get acquainted,” was the Medicine Man’s wise suggestion.

That day and the next were spent in camp.  The Boilers had their teepee to make and beds to prepare.  The Sangers merrily helped, making a “bee” of it.

Bow and arrow making were next to do.  Little Beaver had not fully replaced his own destroyed by the robber.  A hunt of the Burlap Deer was a pleasant variation of the second day, though there were but two bows for all, and the Boilers began to realize that they were really far behind the Sangers in knowledge of Woodcraft.

At swimming Blackhawk was easily first.  Of course, this greatly increased his general interest in the swimming-pond, and he chiefly was responsible for the making of a canoe later on.

The days went on right merrily—­oh, so fast!  Little Beaver showed all the things of interest in his kingdom.  How happy he was in showing them—­playing experienced guide as he used to dream it!  Peetweet took a keen interest; so did the city boy.  Char-less took a little interest in it all, helped a little, was generally a little in everything, and giggled a good deal.  Hawkeye was disposed to bully Char-less, since he found him quite lickable.  His tone was high and haughty when he spoke to him—­not at all like his whining when addressing the others.  He volunteered to discipline Char-less if he should ill-treat any of the others, and was about to administer grievous personal punishment for some trifling offense, when Blackhawk gave him a warning that had good effect.

Yan’s note-book was fully discussed and his drawings greatly admired.  He set to work at once with friendly enthusiasm to paint the Boilers’ teepee.  Not having any adventures that seemed important, except, perhaps, Blackhawk’s defeat of Woodpecker and Little Beaver, subjects that did not interest the artist, the outside decorations were the totem of the clan and its members.

XXVIII

White-Man’s Woodcraft

Blackhawk was the introducer of a new game which he called “judging.”