association and embellishment, will be evident in the course of use.
For the Council-ring, select a sheltered place, preferably in the woods, as quiet and secluded as possible, and especially remote from the kitchen noises. It should admit of a perfectly level circle thirty to forty feet across, according to the number in camp. On the outer rim of this have a permanently fixed circle of very low seats; six or eight inches is high enough, but they should have a back. Each Band or Patrol should make its own seat, and always go there. On the back of the seat should be a place to plant the Tribal or Band standard. Back of the first row should be a slightly higher row. If the ground slopes up, all the better, but in any case, there should be fixed seats enough for all the camp. The place should be carefully leveled and prepared, and kept that way all the time, so as to be ready, for it will be used at least once every day. This is the arena as well as the parliament, courtroom, church, council hall, and theatre of the camp.
At one side of the ring, in a conspicuous place, should be the throne of the Chief, and to one side of this a desk and seat for the Tally Keeper; on the desk should be a lantern holder. Near the middle of the ring is the Council-fire, never a bonfire, and right opposite the Chief's throne, on the outer edge of the camp, should be the Totem-pole.
This I always set up as soon as possible in my permanent camps. Its proper place is on the outer rim of the camp-circle, right opposite the Chief's throne. Its purpose is: first, to typify the movement; second, to display the Totems of all the Tribes, Troops, or Patrols that camp here; third, to serve as a place of notice. Any document posted on the Totem-pole is considered published. For illustrations of Totem -poles see p. 268, "Book of Woodcraft."
