If one looks over the books of directions for Camp Fire Girls, one is delighted and fascinated by the pictures that show the many ways the girls have to carry out the intention of the society. Here are girls in the ceremonial costumes, the hair braided Indian fashion, the decorated band drawn around the forehead and fastened behind at the back of the head. In one picture the girls are sitting by the tent at camp, sewing and carving and carpentering for honors. Here they are in a big canoe with paddles lifted all together; again they are starting out for a hay-rack ride, or building a gigantic bonfire for Independence Day, setting up the logs in tepee-shape, while eight girls are bearing the next log to the pyramid. We see them wading, swimming, and making fire in antique fashion with bow and drill; they are cooking in house and in camp; they are washing, they are ironing, they are mending; here they are serving the community by teaching some little girls to sew, or by helping to fight a real forest fire; they are holding ceremonial meetings and conferring honors on those that by hard work have won them. One can only say: O happy, happy girls in this happiest of countries, that have so much done for them, that have so great opportunities, that are so diligently and joyously making the most of their chance in life! CHAPTER XXIX THE COUNTRY GIRL'S DUTY TO THE COUNTRY Are you sheltered, curled up and content by the world's warm fire, Then I say that your soul is in danger! The sons of the Light, they are down with God in the mire, God in the manger. The old-time heroes you honor, whose banners you bear, The whole world no longer prohibits; But if you peer into the past you will find them there, Swinging on gibbets. So rouse from your perilous ease: to your sword and your shield! Your ease is the ease of the cattle! Hark, hark, the bugles are calling! Out, out to some field-- Out to some battle! --_Edwin Markham._ CHAPTER XXIX THE COUNTRY GIRL'S DUTY TO THE COUNTRY Various societies are now trying to supply one of the greatest needs of the girls in country life: namely, good times. The young life is doing the most natural thing possible when it demands recreation, and grave losses must be sustained if satisfaction is not given to this pure and normal desire.