A launch whistle sounded “toot-toot!” while the scales and tape were being used for the lobster, and there was the Orion bringing Uncle Tom and the two big boys eager for the sights of the island camp.
Friendships are quickly made under such conditions and when the Orion returned Shelby Jordan and Henry Pou were left for an over-night visit with Fred.
“I’ll lend them anything they need and besides, we do not dress up for fishing you know,” Fred assured his uncle and aunt, as they were saying good-bye to the boys.
The whole island was explored and one of the things that keenly interested the visitors was the Woodcraft Council Ring. So many questions were asked that Fred suggested a Council for that afternoon, that the boys might see for themselves just how one was conducted.
“Captain says we’re not going to under-run the trawl to-day, as he wants to put the fish we already have on the flats to dry. He’ll take us down to Flat Island in the launch and then drop us off at Isola Bella so we can invite the folks there. Then we’ll come back and hold a Council here at four o’clock,” planned Fred.
“Take along oil-skins and rubber caps,” warned his mother, “or you’ll all get wet on the way back.”
The visitors were intensely interested in the fish-drying operations and asked numerous questions of Captain Ed. The latter had to admit that the fog had been mighty bad for the “sweet” process of drying. “But they always smell a leetle anyway, and a few days of good hot sun will soon cure them now.”
It is doubtful however, if Shelby and Henry manifested the same appetite for salt-fish after being present at the scene on the flats where the “perfume factory” was all-sufficient.
The first Common Council was a merry and impromptu affair although conducted with due form and in parliamentary fashion. Fred was in the chair as “Island Chief” which was indeed the meaning of his Woodcraft title of Wita-tonkan.
For the benefit of the visitors he gave a little talk on Woodcraft and explained why they called the various groups Tribes, and chose Indian names in recognition of service or prowess.