“O we are Winnebagos and we’re loyal friends and true, We always work in harmony in everything we do, We always think the weather’s fine, in sunshine or in snow, We’re happy all the time because we’re maids of Wohelo!”
The echoes died away and then sprang into life again.
“For we are Winnebagos, For we are Winnebagos, For we are Winnebagos, And that’s why we’re so spry!”
“A toast!” cried Nyoda, “a toast to the future!” And they drank it in the remains of the cocoa. Their eyes met as they clinked the cups, and overflowed. “Oh, my girls,” cried Nyoda, trying to get her arms around all of them at once, “there never _was_ such a group! And there never _will_ be such a group! I just can’t leave you!” Then she pulled herself up again. The time was passing and she must hasten, for she was leaving on the train late that night. Her marriage was to take place in the East. “Come, girls, ‘Mystic Fire.’” And once again their voices rose in musical chant:
“With hand uplifted we claim thy power, Guide and keep us as we go, True to Wohelo. Thy law is our law from this hour, Thy mystic spirit’s flame will show Us the way to go.”
But when they stood in the close circle with which the song ends, Nyoda stooped to the hearth, and, plucking forth a burning brand, held it aloft as a torch, and the girls passed in front of her, each carrying a tiny torch in her hand, which she lit from the big one. Then the circle stood complete once more, a ring of shining light. Silence fell on all. The moment of parting had come.
“Don’t say good-bye,” begged Nyoda. “Act as if I were a guest just leaving for a short time.”
And bravely, with voices that did not falter to the end, they sang the familiar guest song:
“O Nyoda, here’s to you, Our hearts will e’er be true, We will never find your equal Though we search the whole world through!”
Then the circle turned resolutely and faced outward. A moment more they lingered, and then they went forth into the night, carrying their torches with them.
--Silently corrected palpable typos in spelling and punctuation
--Adjusted front matter to give a complete list of the series
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Camp Fire Girls' Larks and Pranks, by Hildegard G. Frey