“I don’t know,” said Katherine agog, with curiosity and on the alert for anything.
Both exclaimed in wonder when they reached the Council Rock. Around it, in a circle, low seats had been placed, built of rustic logs with comfortable back rests. There was one for each person.
172“Where did they come from?” all the Winnebagos were asking.
“We made them,” announced the Captain with pride. “What do you think of them? Don’t you like them?”
“Splendid!” said Aunt Clara. “How did you ever get them made without our knowing?”
“Down in a cave under the east bluff,” said the Captain. “That’s where we had our workshop. We used to slip away quietly one or two at a time and work on them whenever we had a chance. Sit in them and see how comfortable they are.”
The Sandwiches were circling around like polite shopkeepers, begging the girls to try first this seat and then that, to find out which suited them best. Wondering, the girls sank back into the seats, trying to get the meaning of this new development.
“There’s something else coming,” said Slim importantly, going off with the Captain.
Soon they reappeared, carrying a sort of pedestal with a flagpole attached to it. “It’s for Eeny-Meeny to stand on,” explained the Captain proudly, “and we put up the pole so the Stars and Stripes could float over her and the people going by in boats could see her.”
He set the pedestal down and turned toward the tree where Eeny-Meeny had stood. “Why, where’s Eeny-Meeny?” he asked in amazement.