“Shingebis will now light the Council Fire after the manner of the Forest Children,” ordered Wita-tonkan, the Island Chief, turning to Billy as he spoke.
Then Shingebis, “The Northern Diver,” brought his fire-sticks to the centre of the Council Ring and proceeded to make fire by rubbing the sticks briskly until an almost imperceptible wisp of smoke curled up from the tiny heap of black wood-dust that fell into the fire-pan under the sticks. More and denser smoke followed.
The moment a spark glowed in this powder, the group of Woodcrafters greeted it with a “How!” and a louder chorus of “Hows” sounded as a flame burst forth from the handful of tinder which Shingebis applied.
“Now know we that Wakonda hath been pleased to smile upon us,” said Wita-tonkan, solemnly.
A few moments after the fire was burning well, the Chief took up the peace-pipe and explained that he was about to perform the peace-pipe ceremony.
“First I light the cedar bark and kinnikinick, or dried red ozier dogwood bark, in the bowl of the pipe. Now I offer the peace-pipe to Wakonda, the Great Spirit and Maka Ina, Mother Earth, imploring their presence at the Council. The whole Council must answer ‘Noon-way’ or amen to these prayers.
“Then I proceed to beg each of the Four Winds in turn to do us no harm from cyclone, cold, rain or heat. All present will please respond ‘Noon-way’ as before.”
The visitors were quite impressed and when the first prayer came, “Hay-oon-kee-ya” (Be with us) the response was fervent. Then, as the pipe was presented to the West Wind, and Wita-tonkan cried, “Hay-oon-kee-oon-ee-ya-snee” (Come not upon us) the chorus of “noon-ways” was so loud that Mose and Bridget who were now busy in the bungalow making lemonade, fairly jumped.
“When Ah git done wid dis lemyonade Ah’se goin’ out behin’ dose rocks an’ watch d’ show,” declared Mose.
“Shure, an’ Oi’ll be wid’ye,” promised Bridget, emphatically.