Every girl in the gathering rose to her feet with the exception of Harriet Burrell.  Tommy observing that her companion had not risen, sat down hurriedly.

“All in favor of letting the guilty ones go without punishment will rise, now.”

Harriet was on her feet in an instant, with Tommy a slow second.

“I am afraid you are very much in the minority, my dear,” said Mrs. Livingston, smiling on Harriet.  “Your forgiving spirit, however, is to be commended.  It is the true spirit that should actuate a Wau-Wau Girl.  In view of the previous vote, I shall have to impose a penalty that already had been agreed upon by the guardians in case the members of the camp decided upon some form of temporary punishment Therefore I sentence the six young women”—­here Mrs. Livingston read their names out, names of girls that Harriet did not know—­“to solitary confinement in their tents for the period of twenty-four hours.  They will take their meals in their quarters.  The young women will now rise, pass in single file before the fire and proceed to their tents.”

Six young women with lowered heads and cheeks aflame, slowly, hesitatingly rose to their feet, hurriedly filed past the fire, then turned their footsteps toward their quarters.

“Oh that’th too bad,” piped Tommy as the last of the six passed into the shadows.

CHAPTER XII

HARRIET TURNS THE TABLES

Despite the solemnity of the occasion smothered giggles were heard following Tommy Thompson’s remark that had reached the ear of every person at the Council Fire.

The Chief Guardian frowned, then her face relaxed in a smile.

“Did you speak, Miss Thompson?” she asked.

“Ye—­yeth,” stammered Tommy.

“My dear, I feel very much as you do,” smiled the Chief Guardian.  “But discipline must be maintained.  Those young women never will forget the humiliation of this moment.  In the future they will think twice before engaging in any enterprise that will cause others mental or physical suffering.  There are at least two other girls and perhaps more, within this circle to-night whose conscience will trouble them, whose sleep will be fitful because they have not only done a very great wrong, but have been dishonest enough to cover that wrongdoing by keeping silent and permitting the stigma to rest on all of their companions.  Miss Burrell!”

Harriet rose and faced the Chief Guardian.

“By your actions on two occasions, you have earned two honors, first by the bravery you displayed when the accident to the buck-board wagon occurred, second by your act of gentle forgiveness this evening.  For each of these you are entitled to an honor bead.”

Mrs. Livingston stepped forward placing about the blushing Harriet’s neck a leather thong to which were attached two large wooden beads.  As the necklace dropped over her head, the Camp Girls rose and bringing their hands together sharply made the Indian hand sign.