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PARTISAN REVIEW
go out in the yard-you know I got a nice big place there Sam–
and when I come out what are they doing? ... Making a fire!"
"Now that doesn't sound like anything, does it? But wait a
minute! With matches? No. They're making that fire with a piece
of stone and a knife just like the Indians, or Dan Crockett or one
of those leatherstocking fellers. Why Sam, they got a club and
they call it the Totem Tribe-with nice boys for members. Elias
Lieberman, his father's in furs. And Joe Blume and some others.
They talk indian and have rules and go out in the park for hikes."
"Say!" said Feinman.
"Its a great thing for the boys. Their law is: draw a straight
arrow and tell the truth and live by the way of the woods. Now
Sam think of the educational value of that. So I gave them the
cellar to use and had a room fixed up for them down there. So
they call it the Council Lodge and have a museum down there and
everything. You wouldn't think a bunch of kids out there in the
Bronx would have the imagination would you?"
"That's a great kid you got there, Ad," said Feinman.
"Well I wouldn't doubt he was behind it all. He knows some·
thing. So I try to help them all I can. Right off, get this, they
elect me Grand Sachem and I am supposed to be their counsellor
and all that! Get that! Say!"
"Well its a great thing if kids will make use of their chances
and their advantages, Adolph. We never had that chance."
"Right, Sam. Well its great to see them. When I come to their
meeting they all get up together and say 'Tonka Kewoo Mr. Gins–
berg.' That means 'The honored counsellor is welcome to our
campfire.' "
"Ya gotta hand it to them," said Feinman. "Ya certainly do."
Seymour Ginsberg watched his fathers adam's apple go up
and down with the ice-cream, then went downstairs into the council
room to wait until the Tribe had gathered for the meeting. He
looked into the glasscovered shoebox which displayed the arrow–
heads that the Muskrat had found on a farm one summer and had
given to the Tribe. There was one of quartz. It was brownly stained:
was that dark spot blood? Seymour sat down in the big Sachem's
chair and putting his right elbow on the arm of the chair he leaned
back and rested his chin in his hand. This was the night it was his
tum to be Sachem.
