ive you fair warning, it may not be the easiest thing to pick up
an audience in the Maine woods."

"There are other campers around the lake," replied Sahwah, "and
there are the people in the village. We could bring them here in
the boats."

"They might have plans of their own, though," said Nyoda, "so we
mustn't count too much on having them come to visit us. By the
way, Sahwah, whom would you suggest for a seating-arrangements
committee?"

"Oh, you would be the best one for that, Nyoda," answered Sahwah.

Nyoda bowed, laughing. "I accept the position of Audience
Furnisher," she said, formally. "Now, every man to his task!
Gladys, would you like to come to the village with me this
afternoon?"

Sahwah and Hinpoha also went to the village, but they waited
until Nyoda was well out of sight, then they paddled across the
lake with strong swift strokes that sent the canoe fairly flying
through the water.

"I thought Nyoda would want some kind of a celebration," said
Sahwah, "so it's a good thing we have our plans made, although we
did want them to be a complete surprise." Instead of getting out
at the regular landing they paddled around the village and up the
mouth of a small creek, where they beached the canoe and crept
stealthily toward the store. After peeking through the window
and satisfying themselves that Nyoda was not within Sahwah
entered, while Hinpoha kept watch in the doorway. "Did you get
everything?" asked Hinpoha, as Sahwah emerged with her arms full
of bundles.

Sahwah nodded. "But it took every yard of bunting they had."
They hastened back to camp and preparations for the next day's
celebration were soon under way.

When Nyoda returned at supper time she was immediately surrounded
by an eager group clamoring to know who was going to be the
audience. Nyoda shook her head sadly. "There ain't no such
animal," she replied tragically. "We stopped everybody we met on
the street in the village--we only met five people--and, invited
them; we invited the storekeeper and the man who rents the boats;
but none of them could come. Then we went around to the houses
to see if we could find some women and girls, but with the same
result. It seems that some local magnate is giving a barbecue
out at his farm to-morrow and the whole town is invited."

"But the other campers," said Sahwah hopefully.

Again Nyoda shook her head. "We took the launch and ran in at
every landing for several miles around