Are composed of shacks, such as are shown by [Fig. 367]. He-le-jah ([Fig. 371]), being the Court of Knowledge, is the only court having an elevated platform, or pulpit, or speaker's stand ([Fig. 368]). On each side of each court there should be a torch; [Fig. 369] is what we will call the camp meeting torch; [Fig. 370] is what we will call the steamboat torch; it must be made by a blacksmith. It is an iron basket supported by iron chains, hung down from an iron band at the top of a staff; the latter is shod with an iron point so that it may be thrust into the ground. These fire baskets I have used with success in one of my camps. But homemade torches are to be preferred (see [Fig. 369]). A hand torch ([Fig. 373]) may be made of pine, spruce or cedar slivers and used for processions entering the council grounds; this gives a thrilling effect.
In the diagram ([Fig. 370]), the staff is short, but it should be long enough to place the torch as high above the ground as a chandelier is above the floor at home. [Fig. 372] shows the method of piling up the wood for the council fire. The kindling wood is first placed upon the ground ready to light at a moment's notice; over that the heavy wood is piled, as shown in the diagram. This fire should never be lighted with a match; that is terrible bad form. The use of flint and steel or a rubbing stick to make fire is the proper ceremony for such occasions.
[Fig. 374] shows how to make a fire box of sticks. This is an aeroplane view of a fire box, that is, a view from above, looking down upon it. This box should be filled with sand, clay or dirt, upon which the fire is built. [Fig. 375] and [Fig. 376] show you how to lash the framework together. [Fig. 377] shows how to put up the framework. [Fig. 369] is the finished torch.
The idea of this torch is to have the light above the heads of the campers. The trouble with a fire upon the ground is that while the flames give light they also hide part of the crowd, and the smoke is always in someone's face. This elevated torch is a brand new idea for this purpose. It will be adopted all over the country and credited to all sorts of sources and people, but you must remember that it was designed for the readers of this book.
If milled lumber is used in building the shacks for the four courts, it should be camouflaged with paint or stain so as to look rustic. It may be roofed with boards and the boards covered with tar paper, or any of the modern roofing materials to be had, but in that case the roof should be camouflaged by laying poles over the top of it, or, if poles are not available, covering the top with sods.
You see the idea is this: we are having a Council Fire—not something else—and we want the thing to look wild and rustic because that is part of the game, and if we are compelled to go to the lumberyard for our material, which most of us will have to do, then we must conceal this fact as far as possible by camouflage. In front of the South Court on [Fig. 371] is the fire-place made of flat stones set in the earth.
Council Fire Ceremonies
On entering the council grounds always enter from the east, salute Too-le-ze, the white wolf, then go across the Ghost Walk with the sun to the West Court, and salute Kor-le, the bear; about face and march back to the South Court and salute Too-winks, the badger; then about face and march up and salute He-le-jah, the panther; remain standing at salute until He-le-jah who is the commanding officer, gives you permission to retire, or gives you orders what to do; then go back, always moving along these walks like a soldier, to your seat.
