Under the Totem-Pole

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 297, 7 March 1928, Page 6

Under the Totem-Pole

Chiefs and Braves

Letters to Redfeather are answered as under:

Flying Cloud: Two arrows from this faithful Brave have fallen at the door of the Wigwam. lam glad the "‘ghost in flowing white” did nothing more than lead you to that little ivory needle-case. So you have been dreaming among the belladonnas! They are beautiful things, aren’t they, my little haunter of the Great Outdoors? Never give up pretending; dreams are rather wonderful, you know. As I write this the rain is drumming on the window, and the Totem Pole under the sea does not sound very attractive. And Redfeather would much rather have her Flying Cloud than the most fascinating mermaid. Blue Moon: It is good to hear that this loyal Brave has made such splendid use of her prize money. How well I understand the feeling you had in

that storm in London, Blue Moon. J love the sting and the lash of wind and rain. too. It calls up something deep inside us, even as you say. Greetings and much love from the Children of the Wigwam.

Little Lone Pine: Lo, a sound of whispering in the dark trees, and Little Lone Pme once again enters the welcoming Wigwam. Many thanks for { the dear little Indian story, Little Lone ; Pine. I liked it very much, and hope |to use it soon. No, little Braves cannot always walk in the land of their fathers, tmt the trail to the Wigwam is always waiting for the footfalls of its children and the door of the Wigwam is ever open. Canty College is a wonderful old place. The feet of Redfeather have crossed its threshold. Do not let too many moons pass by ere another arrow from this Bravo speeds on its way. Silver Heel: Many thanks for the photo sent by this Guide Brave. When next you take the trail to the Wigwam, Silver Heel, I hope to show it to vou. Xou will see that I have mentioned in the Girl Guides’ corner that your com-

pany’s birthday is being celebrated this month All good wishes from all round the Fire of Friendship that glows beside the Wigwam! Whispering Pool: The arrow which sped from the bow of Whispering Pool flew to the door of the Great Chief’s tent, sure of its welcome. You will be glad when the First Church Company gather once more for pow-wows. Have you had those mushrooms yet? The blackberrying sounds quite exciting, and one soon forgets the pains of prickles when one looks at a pot of cool jelly. Even though Redfeather cannot go out into the wide open spaces, the letters of Whispering Pool waft her the freshness of the clean outdoors and bring to her eye£ a glimpse of shining waters gleaming through a blue dusk. Many thanks, O loyal little Brave!

Harvest Moon: Greetings to this Brave of the flying quill, and many thanks for her very fine letter. How e'agerly Redfeather stooped to gather the arrow which fell at her feet! Congratulations, Harvest Moon, on your beautiful drawing, which has won first place in the competition. I hope you will like it when you see it in the Wigwam. I am sure the rest of the many Chiefs and Braves whose names are on the Totem Pole will love it. Much love to this clever Brave. Dancing Star: Greetings and wel-

come to this new Guide Brave, whose report was so well and faithfully written! You will see it in the Guides’ corner. It was a pity your best diver was absent from the swimming sports, but it is good to know that a company can take defeat so generously. I hope you will come often down the trail toward the Wigwam. Many Tokens. —Sincere thanks for your letter, and for advising the appointment of Silver Heel as scribe for the St. Peter’s Company. I had a letter from Jean this morning. She seems better, and I hope will improve steadily. I can understand your not being able to resist sending in your small child’s version of the animal that was never in the ark! Many thanks, and all good wishes.

Sun Cloud: Once again the Wigwam welcomes this Guide-Brave. Thank you for the report of the social, which I hope to use this week. When holidays bring you near the Wigwam, you may be sure of an eager welcome as you come flying down the well-worn trail. You must let me know if you secure that first-class badge and all-round cord. I shall be anxiously waiting the result. Camps are the most splendid fun, and you have every reason to be proud of your keen Patrol. It is certainly unusual to have so many family groups in the one company; quite a distinction. Do you still go to the baths this rainy weather? 1 am always interested in your guiding news, Sun Cloud, and look forward to another arrow from you very soon.

Driven Snow; Welcome to this new Brave, and thanks for her report of the Morrinsville Company. You will notice it in the Girl Guides’ corner. It was splendid to get so much money for your tents next year, wasn’t it? I would like to have seen those two samples of embroidery; they sound awfully interesting. Greetings and all good wishes.

Swaying Willow: The trees in the forest rustled softly, the branches E~ r * ed - and lo - the face of Swaying Willow peeped out. The Chiefs and Braves of the Wigwam welcome this new Guide-Brave. I hope you received your membership seal safely, and that you -will like your new name. Redfeather looks forward to another arrow from your quiver very soon.

Little Thunder: Another Chief comes down the Wigwam trail, brine--"i 1 . 11 hlm the February report for the First Papakura Troop. Manv thanks, Little Thunder. I was inter ested in the number of badges the

troop has secured, and hope new members will successfully pass tlieir tenderfoot test. Do you like your penname? The door of the Wigwam is always open and there will be a warm welcome for you whenever you come to it. Pipe Carver: The first report of the St. George’s Troop came to hand from this new chief. I was glad to enrol you as a new Scribe, Pipe Carver, and hope to receive many more reports from you. I suppose you had a very jolly time at camp; that is the right place for it, and now that you have started,

you will probably be having a great many mere. You will see your report in the Wigwam this week. I will always be pleased to hear from this new Chief.

Pilot: Thank you for the report of the Calliope Sea Scouts’ Trident examination. I was very pleased to see what splendid things Commander Hall said about you, and hope you will have advanced even more by next year. Beaver Hunter: Your report for the St. David’s Troop will appear this week; thank you for it. It certainly does take a good deal of determination to settle down to routine after holidays, but you are fortunate to have that trip in View for Easter It will be splendid. I hope Mr. Tribble will soon be better. The Totem Pole is always ready to receive the names of new members, and the Children of the Wigwam are eagerly waiting to welcome new Chiefs and Braves to their happy circle round the Fire of Friendship. Greetings to this faithful Chief.

Yellow Feather: That blackberrying sounds rather fascinating, Yellow Feather. So does the jelly. You will see that Whispering Pool has also been following your example. Milford is a great beach, and I am sure you had a very happy day there. Is your cousin still with you, or has her holiday finished? Do not let too many moons slip past before you come again to the Wigwam. Flowing Gold: Another arrow from this little Brave! lam so pleased you like your new name so much. It is pretty, isn’t it? If you address a letter to Red Star, care of the Wigwam, I will see that it is forwarded on. I am sure she would be delighted to hear from you. Don’t you think it is rather fascinating having a pen-friend whom you may never have seen, though you feel you have known her all your life? I shall always be glad when letters from Flowing Gold are in the mail.

Dancing Blue Water: The Children of the Wigwam are never forgotten by Redfeather, and Dancing Blue Water will never knock vainly at the door of her memory. The ever-glowing fire burns as brightly as ever, and welcomes you to its warmth. You have been holiday-making, I see. Yes, I believe Waihi is a beautiful beach, and am glad you had the opportunity to enjoy it. Once the parrot starts to talk, it will probably learn very quickly. J will send your message to little Red Star. An arrow from her bow set all the birds singing in the young silver birch tree outside the Wigwam this morning. Her address is: 2o Ulster Street, Hamilton. I am quite sure you would make her very happy by going to see her and taking some of your books. Did your picture entertainment bring in enough money for your school baths? As you go j across the Bake of Many Waters to j your teepee, take the greetings and love of Redfeather, O Dancing Blue Water.

Red Star: The rain was grey and sombre outside the Wigwam this morning, little Red Star, but as your shining arrow sped to the feet of Redfeather. it turned to a shimmering silver, and even the little wet fat sparrows chirped gaily with happiness to think that this well-loved Brave was feeling so much better. It would be very wonderful if you could soon write again in ink, but even a note in pencil from this faithful one brings much joy to the Wigwam. I hope Silver Heel and Blue-fringed Moccasin managed to get in to see you. You will see that Flowing Gold has asked tor your address, and that Dancing Blue Water would like to come and see you. I am glad you had a letter from Red Leaf, and am sure you are looking forward to meeting Dew of Dawn at Easter. Yes, Red Star, there is something; tremendously fascinating about a storm, and something clear

and immense about a mighty wind. I do hope the new treatment will make you very strong soon. It would be wonderful, wouldn’t it, if one day you could come down the trail and into the welcome of the Wigwam! lam looking forward very much to another arrow from my faithful little Brave next week. Much love from Redfeather and all the Children of the Wigwam, Red Star. Blue Fire: Just in time the bow of Blue Fire loosed its shaft and sped its arrow to the Wigwam! Congratulations on winning that race. I hope you will have lots of fun at the party; I would like to see you carrying the Union Jack. Greetings and love to this Guide-Brave. Red Dawn: Certainly you may write to some of your Wigwam comrades, Red Dawn. Address your letters care of the Wigwam, and I will see that they are forwarded. I am sure you could form some happy pen-frit ndships. Yes, there are a great number of Braves and Chiefs clustering round the Totem Pole now, but the circle is always widening gladly for new members. Red Star is a very faitiful * Brave. How beautiful it must lave been to waken in that golden dawn. It is not often one has the opportuiity of seeing a sunrise, but when one does it is well worth while. I am sure you will agree now that you have had such an experience. Yes, I also noticed the sky last Tuesday evening. Have j r ou ever seen the sky in the South just before a frost? You would look and look and look at that, Little ShirGazer! You will see that “The Dasies by Moonlight” is highly commended.