Under the Totem-Pole Chiefs and Braves

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 155, 21 September 1927, Page 6

Under the Totem-Pole Chiefs and Braves

Letters to Redfeather are answered as under: —

Raven Wing: I was very pleased to have your interesting letter and am glad that you have been on holiday. I should have liked to have joined that jolly tramping party. Yes, I shall be delighted to see you at the Wigwam and also your girl friend. I am sorry I was not here the day yau called, but you will always find the Chief at home each Thursday. Every good wish, Raven Wing. Paddle Carver: Many thanks for your letter, Paddle Carver. Since you wrote, the Guide you mentioned has found the trail and is now my good Brave, Lapping Water. I have met Silver Moon of your company. She called on me last week. Many Feathers: lam always glad to hear from this keen Scout-Chief who takes such an active interest in the 'Wigwam. There will always be space for news of your troop in the Scouts’ column. Little Circling Owl: Greetings and welcome to this new Guide-Brave. I wonder who will solve the mystery of your vary pretty pen name. I am sorry that you and Silver Heel could not visit me last Thursday. I listened for the triple knock. Silent Warrior: Many thanks for your letter and the drawing which has now been speeded to the Sioux. I should very much like to share the spoils when next you are fishing from your canoe in the Lake of Many Waters. Lapping Waters: Greeting to this new Guide-Brave who has sought the friendly trail. I heard a whisper of your coming from Paddle Carver and Silver Moon, and am glad that you are now in our midst. Perhaps you would like to call on me some Thursday. Little Brown Moccasin: You will find your iittle poem in the Guides’ Corner and! I hope you will write me many more. I shall be very pleased to meet you and shall be listening for the sound of your moccasins coming down the trail. Eagle Feather: Many thanks for your long and intertesting letter. The office boy seems to be sent on very homely errands. Those racing boats must be exciting to watch. Do you think they are likely to out-distance the Wigwam canoes? Rising Torrent: Many thanks for your letter and drawing of the Indian chief. He has a very powerful face. There must have been a wonderful sunset that evening you were out hunting. Little Buffalo: Two picture shows in one day? What extravagance! That must have been an interesting bus ride. I hope the driver did not exceed the speed limit. Red Star: It was splendid hearing all about you from Silver Heel, and I should much like to join those happy pow-wows at your tepee. You will know all about the interior of the Wigwam now, I think. Many thanks for your letter. Ido hope you will soon be abroad again. Flying Cloud: Many thanks for your arrow which I found embedded in the birch tree. I can picture you in your full wet weather regalia. In such garments you can surely laugh at wind and rain. I always feel greatly honoured when you permit me to peep into your memory box. It is a casket of rare beauty, Flying Cloud. Little Spring Moon: Many thanks for your friendly script. lam delighted that you have been winning some prizes as you are a very diligent Brave. I hope the magazine is a great success. Prairie Wolf: I was glad to hear again from this Avondale Scout-Chief who has lately come down the trail. You are making excellent progress with your, .

scouting work and before long, I should riot be surprised to find that you are a King's Scout too. Did Grey Eagle deliver that membership seal? Red Leaf: Many thanks for your interesting letter, part of which I have used in the Guides’ Corner. I shall be glad to see Star on the River and hope she will call with you and Little Feather some Thursday. Much of interest was crowded out last Wednesday, but it was impossible to avoid. Sighing Wind: I was glad to hear again from this New Plymouth Brave and shall endeavour to find one of those books for you. I see you admire A. A. Milne too. I expect you know “When We Were Very Young” off by heart. It was a pity that Eyes of the Morning did not find your tepee. I hope she will be able to seek you out when next she is in New Plymouth.

Young Thunder: The hand of goodfellowship to this new Chief who has joined our friendly circle. I hope you like your pen-name and that I shall have many letters from you.

Big Brown Bear: Many thanks for your interesting letter. The foxes are surely coming into their own. Your puzzle verse perplexed me at first glance but, after studying it carefully, I deciphered its message. Greetings and best wishes. Big Brown Bear.

Beaver Hunter: Your letter reached me safely, O seeker of hidden trails, and I was glad to have your scouting- news. The Chiefs and Braves will enjoy the account of your cycle tour. Here’s to further good hunting. Silver Ripple: Many thanks for your letter, Silver Ripple. I am sorry that your mother is on the sick list and hope she will soon be better. - You are having a busy time practising for the Jellicoe Shield. Remember me to Smoke Plume and my other St. Francis Braves.

A CYCLE TOUR AUCKLAND TO NEW PLYMOUTH For many days the lodge of Beaver Hunter had been the scene of mystic and excited activities as two eager Scouts prepared and overhauled gear, discussed roads, speeds, stopping places or meals, and tightened that last nut of the bicycles on which so much depended. Slowly the days passed until at last the night of Saturday, August 20. found the two adventurers sleeping fitfully together with constant eye on the luminous dial of a faithful alarmclock. As the pale moon faded from the lightening skies 'midst frequent showers, they rose, breakfasted, girded on the burdens of the trail, and sallied forth into the damp, cold dawn at 6.15 on Sunday morning. . . . The 20 miles of concrete .road to Papakura were quickly disposed of as we sped swiftly along in an attempt to leave behind us a rapidly-gathering bank of thunderclouds, and with less serenity passed into Franklin county’s gravel roads, which, until we became used to them, presented harder going

and reduced speed. By now the fewlight showers of the early morning had ceased, and the sun -was shining brightly and warmly, so, after a pause for a snack at nine o’clock, we lost no time on a gradual rise to our first trial —the Razor-backs!

These steep ranges appeared simple and pleasant enough in the bright sunlight, but, even as we looked, the swift-following bank of clouds drew nearer and nearer. The long push over the “first instalment" was accompanied by light .rainfall, which, as we advanced into othe heart of the range, developed into a teeming downpour. However, even this was not sufficient to quell our enthusiasm, for we advanced steadily until the final ridge was reached and there below us stretched broad, fertile plains and the sluggish, muddy waters of the winding Waikato.

Anxious to make up a decreased average speed caused by walking up the steepest part of the range, we remounted our cycles and sped down the rough metal road at a rate which invited cut tyres and blow-outs. Sure enough, in a few minutes, Calvert applied a sudden brake, and with rueful countenances we surveyed a flat rear tyre while a heavy burst of rain dampened clothing and spirts. A nearby house provided a verandah on which was spent nearly one hour with tyre trouble —far the tyre had several punctures and bad cuts, necessitating binding with cord.

Once more the weather cleared, enabling us to almost reach Mercer before the next shower, and having negotiated a road covered with six inches of flood water, and an atmosphere of more water than air, -we arrived there to have lunch almost 40 miles from home.

For the best part of the afternoon we rode by the side of the swirling, eddying river in fine weather, but the Rangiriris provided more rain, though a stretch of tar-sealed road * was somewhat of a consolation. So it was for the last 15 miles of our day’s journey—fair roads, showery weather, with a slight breeze behind. Huntly was passed at 4.15 and shbrtly afterwards we had tea, determining to make Ngaruawahia that night. Once more fate intervened, for, at about 5.30, heavy squalls set in for the night, and in asking the distance to the nearest hotel at a farmhouse, we were hospitably invited to stay the night and avoid further soaking. Thus 69 miles from Auckland we went to a well-de-served sleep, slightly stiff and strange, yet supremely happy and satisfied with the first day of the Great Adventure. Eight o’clock the next morning saw us again on the road in perfect weather, but with a diagonal wind. After the heavy rain the countryside was gloriously fresh and the air was just cold enough to call for plenty of exercise to warm one, so we made good time to Hamilton, and while buying provisions there saw the round-the-world motor-cycle expedition leave for Auckland at 9.30. After spending a pleasant half-hour in Hamilton we turned our heads towards Te Kuiti, 52 miles further on. The day proved bright and sunny, but a persistent head wind reduced speed, and “goodwill to all things" changed abrutly to impotent impatience. Just beyond Te Awamutu we lunched heartily, after which we felt more inclined to tackle the exasperating wind.

The afternoon was uneventful to the point of monotony. The same trying breeze fanned our hot faces; the same sun shone with the same brightness from the same serene sky; the winding road passed through the same neverending mile upon mile of grazing land and reed swamps; in the distance loomed a range of bush-clad hills. The afternoon dragged wearily by, until, as the sun sank to rest, we found ourselves in the wild ranges with a rough road leading on and ever on into obscure infinity. Light showers began to patter gently on the leafy trees by the road as we toiled vainly to reach the summit ere nightfall. But when we finally stood upon the coveted point, it was a pleasant surprise to see the homely lights of Te Kuiti below, to which place we hastened for a bed and a meal 130 miles from home. —BEAVER HUNTER (Denis Glover, St. David’s Troop, aged 14). (To be Continued.) DAY AND NIGHT Our old mother Nature has pleasant and cheery tones enough for us when she comes in her dress of blue and gold over the eastern hill-tops; but when she follows us upstairs to our beds in her suit of black velvet and diamonds, every creak of her sandals and every whisper of her lips is full of mystery and fear. —Holmes. % & % 3K % ***%'**%%**