And without a break in the rhythm, all the girls joined in the final
Wo-he-lo, wo-he-lo, wo-he-lo for love!
Then Margery, her torch still raised above her head, while she swung it slowly in time to the music of her song, sang alone:
O Fire!
Long years ago when our fathers fought with great animals you were their great protection.@
When they fought the cold of the cruel winter you saved them.
When they needed food you changed the flesh of beasts into savory meat for them.
During all the ages your mysterious flame has been a symbol to them for Spirit,
So, to-night, we light our fire in grateful remembrance of the Great Spirit who gave you to us.
Then Margery took her place in the circle, and Eleanor called the roll, giving each girl the name she had chosen as her fire name.
Then Mary Turner, in her new ceremonial robe, fringed with beads, slipped into the circle of the firelight, bright and vivid now.
“Oh, Wanaka,” she said, calling Eleanor by her ceremonial name, “I bring to-night these newcomers to the Camp Fire, to tell you their Desire, and to receive from you their rings.”
One by one the girls of the Halsted Camp Fire stepped forward, and each repeated her Desire to be a Wood-Gatherer, and was received by Eleanor, who explained to each some new point of the Law of the Fire, so that all might learn. And to each, separately, as she slipped the silver ring of the Camp Fire on her finger, she repeated the beautiful exhortation:
Firmly held by the sinews which bind them,
As fagots are brought from the forest
So cleave to these others, your sisters,
Whenever, wherever you find them.
Be strong as the fagots are sturdy;
Be pure in your deepest desire;
Be true to the truth that is in you;
And–follow the law of the Fire!
One by one as they received their rings, the newcomers slipped into seats about the fire, each one finding a place between two of the Manasquan girls. Marcia Bates, flushed with pleasure, took a seat between Bessie and Dolly.