The Meadow-Brook Girls, however, could not appear in ceremonial costume, at the Council Fire.  Hazel, Margery and Tommy had been measured for their costumes and were now awaiting them.  Harriet had ordered the goods for hers at a cost of a dollar.  Upon the arrival of the goods she intended to make her own costume.  Harriet was an accomplished little needle woman.  Not having their ceremonial dresses ready for the occasion was a keen disappointment to the Meadow-Brook Girls.

As the other Camp Girls emerged from their tents they stood about in groups awaiting the arrival of the Chief Torch Bearer.

“There she comes!” cried a voice.

Glancing down the camp street Harriet saw a young woman slowly advancing toward her.  As she passed the tents the girls in the ceremonial dress fell in behind.  The leader held above her head a blazing torch and as she moved slowly forward she chanted: 

    “Blazing torch on high now lifted
     Flame with magic power now gifted
     Flicker, flicker, flicker, flame;
     Burn, fire burn!”

It was a weird, but interesting scene.  Harriet was so engrossed in watching it that she forgot to fall in with the procession when it came her turn to do so.  Some one tugged at her skirt, bringing her to an understanding of what she should do.

[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.  This thought made Harriet Burrell serious and thoughtful.  She was trying to decide upon the course that she ought to follow.  But she had little time to consider this.  She heard her name called.