“Oh Chief! I have a claim to present in behalf of another.”
“Present the claim,” said Wita-tonkan with dignity.
“In behalf of Wita-tonkan of the Black Bear Tribe, I, Pah-hlee-oh of the Apamwamis Tribe, claim low honour for constructing a bear, for the Bear Spearing Game according to the standards in the Book of Woodcraft, edition of 1915,” stated Elizabeth.
“Witnessed by Edward Blake, Dudley West, and William Remington,” concluded she, proudly looking at her brother Fred.
This was indeed a surprise to Fred as he really had forgotten that his recent work on the bear constituted and counted for a coup. Nevertheless, he announced as usual,
“You have heard this claim: it is properly witnessed and moreover will soon be demonstrated at this Council—what is your pleasure?”
The decision was unanimous for granting the coup and the visitors’ attention was drawn to the burlap bear swinging between the trees just beyond the Council Ring.
Then the Chief announced: “Friends and members of the Pentagoet Tribe, you may not know that Shingebis and I are old Woodcraft Indians of the Honourable Tribe of Black Bear. To-day we wish to appear as Black Bears in our allegiance and introduce some of the customs of our Tribe. One of these is the challenging for scalps.
“Each Black Bear wears a black scalp-lock when he is in Council. Here is mine,” and Wita-tonkan held aloft a long strand of black horsehair with a loop of thong attached.
“This represents our life! When we challenge for scalps we stake our life. If we lose we have to remain dead until the Tribe votes us alive again.”