d catkins on
them from above. The oak trees and the birches put on little
glad-hangers, like pennants on a gala ship. The pine trees set up their
green candles, one on every big tip-twig. The dandelions made haste to
glint the early fields with gold. The song toads and the peepers sang in
volleys; the blackbirds wheeled their myriad cohorts in the air, a guard
of honour in review. The woodwale drummed. The redbud draped its naked
limbs in early festal bloom; and Rumour the pretty liar smiled and
spread the news.

All life was smiling with the frank unselfish smile, that tells of
pleasure in another's joy.

The love of love is wider than the world. And one who did not know their
speech could yet have read in their reflected joy a magnitude of joyful
happening, could guess that over two beings of the highest rank, the
highest rank of happiness impended.

Yes, all the living world stood still at gaze: the story of the
bridegroom, the gracious beauty of the bride were sung, for the wedding
day had come. And Mother Carey, she was there, for were they not her
peers? And the Evil One--he came, but slunk away, for the blessing of
the one Great Oversoul was on them.

Oh, virile, radiant one, El Sol! Oh, Maka Ina! bounteous mother earth,
the day of joining hand in hand passed by. The joy is with us yet;
renewed each year, when March is three weeks gone. Look, then, ye
wanderers in the woods! Seek in the skies, seek in the growing green,
but find it mostly in your souls, and _sing_!

TALE 104

Running the Council

Every good Woodcrafter should know the way of the Council Ring.

Select some quiet level place out of doors; in the woods if possible,
for it is so much better if surrounded by trees.

Make a circle of low seats; the circle should be not less than 12 feet
or more than 20 feet across, depending somewhat on the number to take
part.

In the middle prepare for a small fire. At one side is a special seat
for the Chief; this is called the Council Rock.

On very important occasions take white sand or lime, and draw a circle
around the fire. Then from that draw the four lamps and the twelve laws
as in Tale 105.

When all is ready with the Guide on the Council Rock, and the Scouts in
their seats, the Guide stands up and says: "Give ear my friends, we are
about to hold a council. I appoint such a one, Keeper of the fire and
so-and-so, Keeper of the tally. Now let the Fire-keeper light the fire."

Next the Tally