“The constabule” had made an exact division of spoils grading down to some odd pennies, and this was counted out upon the desk of the Tally Keeper.
The boys were slightly disappointed at the sudden collapse of the financial investments they had dreamed about, but they were good losers and insisted that Captain Ed share the reward with them.
When order was once more restored, Uncle Tom made his report on target practice. Amid prolonged applause, the first prize was a pocket-rifle and was awarded to Billy. The second prize was a sheath-knife which went to Dudley.
Under the heading of “unfinished business” Wita-tonkan called upon the Pentagoets and visitors present at the Black Bear Day, to deliver the rest of the scalps still due the victors in that contest.
Uncle Bill rose and said: “Oh Chief, I permitted my hair to grow all of the time I was away from here. Now, behold, the result!”
As he spoke, he held aloft a magnificent pendant brush of long shining hair which he had had made to order. This truly royal trophy was then solemnly hung on the Black Bear totem-pole back of the Chief’s chair.
In turn, the rest of the scalps were hung beneath it, Uncle Tom and some of the visitors having provided variegated locks: crimson, yellow, green, purple, and blue tassels of horsehair.
“How! How!” sounded amid laughter in the Council Ring.
“Any Honours to be claimed?” questioned the Chief.
Fiji and Bob stood up and presented the signed papers for a canning coup each. They had joined a Government Canning Club and at Wickeecheokee Farm that summer had canned twelve quarts each of strawberries, cherries and raspberries, making the three dozen necessary for a coup.