were called upon to do was to gather
sticks from the forest for a campfire.

"A Camp Girl," Miss Partridge had told them, "should first of all know how
to build a fire, the campfire being the family fireside when one is in the
forest. It is the basis of the camp life. Being of the rank of Wood
Gatherers it is your duty to gather the fagots for your own fire."

The girls were instructed in the relative values of different woods as
fuel. They learned too that, as birch bark burned very freely, it should
be used in starting the campfire whenever available.

Having gathered the wood the girls were further instructed in piling it to
the best advantage, leaving an open space at the bottom of the pile so
that a draft might be created. Each girl was called upon to lay the wood
for the fire, then taught to light the fire either in windy or calm
weather. One of the leaders among the more experienced Camp Girls started
a second fire for them by rubbing two sticks together. She explained that
it required dry tinder for this purpose, something seldom found in the
woods.

By the time the lesson had come to an end the luncheon hour had arrived.
There was more conversation at this meal, though it was carried on in low
tones. The same depressing cloud that had been in evidence at the morning
meal, was still present. Harriet noticed, too, that Miss Elting had barely
spoken to Grace and her that morning. This hurt Harriet. She felt it
keenly, though Miss Elting's avoidance of the two girls was because she
did not wish either one to talk with her about the hazing. All inquiry as
to that offense must be left to the Chief Guardian. As yet the Chief
Guardian had made no move looking toward an inquiry into the doings of the
previous night so far as any of the girls knew.

About the middle of the afternoon, however, Harriet saw a large group of
girls gathered about a tree near the camp. The girls appeared to be
laboring under considerable excitement. She hastened over and after a
short time managed to elbow her way close enough to see what it was that
had so excited them.

Nailed to the tree was a piece of white bark. On it was written the
following order:

"A Council Fire will be held this evening at eight o'clock. All
Camp Girls will report promptly, in full ceremonial garb.

"By order of the Chief Guardian."

That was all, but it was sufficient to set the tongues of the Camp Girls
wagging. Those who had been there for