e Wau-Wau Girls.

"I light the light of health for Wau-Wau," announced the firemaker,
turning her back to the flames and facing part of the circle of
expectant faces on which the lights and shadows from the fire were
playing weirdly.

This completed the opening ceremony. The council fire was in order,
the purpose of the meeting would soon be explained, thus relieving the
curiosity of some fifty girls who were burning to know what it was all
about. Not the least curious of these was Tommy Thompson.

CHAPTER XI

A REWARD WELL-EARNED

"I'm just perishing to know what it's about," confided Margery Brown
to the girl next to her. "What do you suppose it is?"

"I think it has something to do with last night," answered the Camp
Girl.

"Oh! you mean about Harriet and Tommy?"

"Yes. Be quiet, the C.G. is going to say something."

The Chief Guardian had already risen. Passing about the circle, she
extended a hand to each of the girls there assembled. There were no
other greetings than the warm clasp of friendship and good-fellowship,
but it meant much to these brown-faced, strong-limbed young women who
had been members of the organization for a year or more.

The Chief Guardian took her place by the fire.

"My daughters," she said, "we have gathered this evening about the
council fire, that ancient institution, to speak of matters that are
near to the heart of each of us. Last night two of your number gave a
marked demonstration of what a Camp Girl may do, of what pluck will
do, an exhibition of sheer moral courage, one of the greatest assets
of a Camp Girl."

"That ith uth," whispered Tommy to Harriet Burrell, who sat beside
her. Harriet's face was flushed. She feared the guardian was about to
speak of her achievements, which Harriet was not at all eager to hear.

"I refer to the thrilling experiences of Miss Burrell and Miss
Thompson in battling with the big seas far out there in the darkness,
and with every reason to believe that their efforts would prove of no
avail. It is not the battle of despair to which I refer. There was no
such. Rather, it was that dogged courage that never even permits a
suggestion of give-up to enter the mind of the fighter. It was a
courage such as this, combined with rare judgment and physical
ability, that makes it possible for Miss Burrell and Miss Thompson to
be present with us at the council fire this evening.

"They have not told the story willingly. I had to draw it fr