I。CHOOSINGAPROFESSION
Ilovedoutdoorlifeandhunting。SomewayagrizzlybearwouldcomeinwhenItriedtoexplainforestrytomybrother。
\"Huntinggrizzlies！\"hecried。\"Why，Ken，fathersaysyou’vebeenreadingdimenovels。\"
\"Justwait，Hal，tillhecomesouthere。I’llshowhimthatforestryisn’tjustbear—hunting。\"
MybrotherHalandIwerecampingafewdaysontheSusquehannaRiver，andwehaddividedthetimebetweenfishingandtramping。OurcampwasontheedgeofaforestsomeeightmilesfromHarrisburg。Thepropertybelongedtoourfather，andhehadpromisedtodriveouttoseeus。Buthedidnotcomethatday，andIhadtocontentmyselfwithwinningHalovertomyside。
\"Ken，ifthegovernorletsyougotoArizonacan’tyouringmein？\"
\"Notthissummer。I’dbeafraidtoaskhim。ButinanotheryearI’lldoit。\"
\"Won’titbegreat？Butwhatalongtimetowait！Itmakesmesicktothinkofyououtthereridingmustangsandhuntingbearsandlions。\"
\"You’llhavetostandit。You’reprettymuchofakid，Hal——notyetfourteen。Besides，I’vegraduated。\"
\"Kid！\"exclaimedHal，hotly。\"You’renotsuchaMethuselahyourself！I’mnearlyasbigasyou。Icanrideaswellandplayballaswell，andIcanbeatyouall——\"
\"Holdon，Hal！Iwantyoutohelpmetopersuadefather，andifyougetyourtemperupyou’lllikeasnotgoagainstme。IfheletsmegoI’llbringyouinassoonasIdare。That’sapromise。IguessIknowhowmuchI’dliketohaveyou。\"
\"Allright，\"repliedHal，resignedly。\"I’llhavetoholdin，Isuppose。ButI’mcrazytogo。And，Ken，thecowboysandlionsarenotallthatinterestme。Ilikewhatyoutellmeaboutforestry。Butwhoeverheardofforestryasaprofession？\"
\"It’sjustthisway，Hal。Thenaturalresourceshavegottobeconserved，andtheGovernmentistryingtoenlistintelligentyoungmeninthework——
particularlyinthedepartmentofforestry。I’mnotexaggeratingwhenIsaytheprosperityofthiscountrydependsuponforestry。\"
IhavetoadmitthatIwasrepeatingwhatIhadread。
\"Whydoesit？Tellmehow，\"demandedHal。
\"Becausethelumbermenarewipingoutallthetimberandneverthinkingofthefuture。Theyareinsuchahurrytogetrichthatthey’llleavetheirgrandchildrenonlyadesert。Theycutandslashineverydirection，andthenfirescomeandthecountryisruined。Ourriversdependupontheforestsforwater。Thetreesdrawtherain;theleavesbreakitupandletitfallinmistsanddrippings;itseepsintotheground，andisheldbytheroots。Ifthetreesaredestroyedtherainrushesoffonthesurfaceandfloodstherivers。Theforestsstoreupwater，andtheydogoodinotherways。\"
\"We’vegottohavewoodandlumber，\"saidHal。
\"Ofcoursewehave。Buttherewon’tbeanyunlesswegoinforforestry。
It’sbeenpracticedinGermanyforthreehundredyears。\"
Wespentanotherhourtalkingaboutit，andifHal’spracticalsense，whichheinheritedfromfather，hadnotbeenoffsetbyhisreallovefortheforestsIshouldhavebeendiscouraged。Halwasofanindustriousturnofmind;hemeanttomakemoney，andanythingthatwasgoodbusinessappealedstronglytohim。But，finally，hebegantoseewhatIwasdrivingat;headmittedthattherewassomethingintheargument。
Thelateafternoonwasthebesttimeforfishing。Forthenexttwohoursourthoughtswereofquiveringrodsandleapingbass，\"You’llmissthebigbassthisAugust，\"remarkedHal，laughing。\"Guessyouwon’thaveallthesport。\"
\"That’sso，Hal，\"Ireplied，regretfully。\"Butwe’retalkingasifitwereadeadsurethingthatI’mgoingWest。Well，Ionlyhopeso。\"
WhatHalandIlikedbestaboutcamping——ofcourseafterthefishing——wastositaroundthecampfire。Tonightitwasmorepleasantthanever，andwhendarknessfullysettleddownitwaseventhrilling。Wetalkedaboutbears。ThenHaltoldofmountain—lionsandthehabittheyhaveofcreepingstealthilyafterhunters。Therewasahoot—owlcryingdismallyupinthewoods，anddownbytheedgeoftheriverbright—greeneyespeeredatusfromthedarkness。Whenthewindcameupandmoanedthroughthetreesitwasnothardtoimaginewewereoutinthewilderness。ThishadbeenafavoritegameforHalandme;onlytonightthereseemedsomerealityaboutit。FromthewayHalwhispered，andlistened，andlooked，hemightverywellhavebeenexpectingavisitfromlionsor，forthatmatter，evenfromIndians。Finallywewenttobed。Butourslumberswerebroken。Haloftenhadnightmaresevenonordinarynights，andonthisonehemoanedsomuchandthrashedaboutthetentsodesperatelythatIknewthelionswereafterhim。
Idreamedofforestlandswithsnow—cappedpeaksrisinginthebackground;
Idreamedofelkstandingontheopenridges，ofwhite—taileddeertroopingoutofthehollows，ofantelopebrowsingonthesageattheedgeoftheforests。Herewasthebroadtrackofagrizzlyinthesnow;thereonasunnycraglayatawnymountain—lionasleep。Thebronzedcowboycameinforhisshare，andthelonebanditplayedhispartinawaytomakemeshiver。
Thegreatpines，theshady，browntrails，thesunlitglades，wereasrealtomeasifIhadbeenamongthem。Mostvividofallwasthelonelyforestatnightandthecampfire。Iheardthesputteroftheredembersandsmelledthewoodsmoke;IpeeredintothedarkshadowswatchingandlisteningforIknewnotwhat。
Onthenextdayearlyintheafternoonfatherappearedontheriverroad。
\"Thereheis，\"criedHal。\"He’sdrivingBilly。Howhe’scoming\"
Billywasfather’sfastesthorse。Itpleasedmeimmenselytoseethepace，forfatherwouldnothavebeendrivingfastunlesshewereinaparticularlygoodhumor。AndwhenhestoppedonthebankabovecampIcouldhaveshouted。Heworehiscorduroysasifhewerereadyforoutdoorlife。
TherewasasmileonhisfaceashetiedBilly，and，comingdown，hepokedintoeverythingincampandaskedinnumerablequestions。HaltalkedaboutthebassuntilIwasafraidhewouldwanttogofishingandpostponeourforestrytrampinthewoods。Butpresentlyhespokedirectlytome。
\"Well，Kenneth，areyougoingtocomeoutwiththetruthaboutthatWild—Westschemeofyours？Nowthatyou’vegraduatedyouwantafling。Youwanttoridemustangs，toseecowboys，tohuntandshoot——allthatsortofthing。\"
Whenfatherspokeinsuchawayitusuallymeantthedefeatofmyschemes。
Igrewcoldallover。
\"Yes，father，I’dlikeallthat——ButImeanbusiness。Iwanttobeaforestranger。LetmegotoArizonathissummer。AndinthefallI’d——I’dliketogotoaschoolofforestry。\"
There！thetruthwasout，andmyfeelingsweredividedbetweenreliefandfear。BeforefathercouldreplyIlaunchedintoasetspeechuponforestry，andtalkedtillIwasoutofbreath。
\"There’ssomethinginwhatyousay，\"repliedmyfather。\"You’vebeenreadinguponthesubject？\"
\"EverythingIcouldget，andI’vebeentryingtoapplymyknowledgeinthewoods。Ilovethetrees。I’dloveanoutdoorlife。Butforestrywon’tbeanypicnic。Arangermustbeabletorideandpack，maketrailandcamp，livealoneinthewoods，fightfireandwildbeasts。Oh！It’dbegreat！\"
\"Idaresay，\"saidfather，dryly;\"particularlytheridingandshooting。
Well，Iguessyou’llmakeagood—enoughdoctortosuitme。\"
\"Givemeasquaredeal，\"Icried，jumpingup。\"Mayn’tIhaveonewordtosayaboutmyfuture？Wouldn’tyouratherhavemehappyandsuccessfulasaforester，evenifthereisdanger，thanjustanordinary，poordoctor？Let’sgooverourwoodland。I’llprovethatyouarelettingyourforestrundown。
You’vegotsixtyacresofhardwoodsthatoughttobebringingaregularincome。IfIcan’tproveit，ifIcan’tinterestyou，I’llagreetostudymedicine。ButifIdoyou’retoletmetryforestry。\"
\"Well，Kenneth，that’safairproposition，\"returnedfather，evidentlysurprisedatmyearnestness\"Comeon。We’llgoupinthewoods。Hal，I
supposehe’swonyouover？\"
\"Ken’sgotabigthinginmind，\"repliedHal，loyally\"It’sjustsplendid。\"
Ineversawthelong，black—fringedlineoftreeswithoutjoyinthepossessionofthemandadesiretobeamongthem。Thesixtyacresoftimberlandcoveredthewholeofaswampyvalley，spreadoverarollinghillslopingdowntotheglisteningriver。
\"Now，son？goahead，\"saidmyfather，asweclamberedoverarailfenceandsteppedintotheedgeofshade……
\"Well，father——\"Ibegan，haltingly，andcouldnotcollectmythoughts。
Thenwewereinthecoolwoods。Itwasverystill，therebeingonlyafaintrustlingofleavesandthemellownoteofahermit—thrush。Thedeepshadowswerelightenedbyshaftsofsunshinewhich，hereandthere，managedtopiercethecanopyoffoliage。Somehow，thefeelingrousedbythesethingsloosenedmytongue。
\"Thisisanoldhard—woodforest，\"Ibegan。\"Muchofthewhiteoak，hickory，ash，maple，isvirgintimber。Thesetreeshavereachedmaturity;
manyaredeadatthetops;allofthemshouldhavebeencutlongago。Theymaketoodenseashadefortheseedlingstosurvive。Lookatthatbunchofsaplingmaples。Seehowtheyreachup，tryingtogettothelight。Theyhaven’tabranchlowdownandthetopsarethin。Yetmapleisoneofourhardiesttrees。Growthhasbeensuppressed。Doyounoticetherearenosmalloaksorhickoriesjusthere？Theycan’tliveindeepshade。Here’sthestumpofawhiteoakcutlastfall。Itwasabouttwofeetindiameter。
Let’scounttheringstofinditsage——aboutninetyyears。Itflourishedinitsyouthandgrewrapidly，butithadahardtimeafteraboutfiftyyears。
Atthattimeitwaseitherburned，ormutilatedbyafallingtree，orstruckbylightning。\"
\"Now，howdoyoumakethatout？\"askedfather，intenselyinterested。
\"Seethefree，wideringsfromthepithouttoaboutnumberforty—five。Thetreewashealthyuptothattime。Thenitmetwithaninjuryofsomekind，asisindicatedbythisblackscar。Afterthattheringsgrewnarrower。Thetreestruggledtolive。\"
WewalkedonwithmetalkingasfastasIcouldgetthewordsout。Ishowedfatheragiant，bushychestnutwhichwasdominatingallthetreesaroundit，andtoldhimhowitretardedtheirgrowth。Ontheotherhand，theothertreeswereabsorbingnutritionfromthegroundthatwouldhavebenefitedthechestnut。
\"There’sasinfulwasteofwoodhere，\"Isaid，asweclimbedoverandaroundthewindfallsandrottingtree—trunks。\"Theoldtreesdieandareblowndown。Theamountofrottingwoodequalstheyearlygrowth。Now，I
wanttoshowyoutheworstenemiesofthetrees。Here’sabigwhiteoak，ahundredandfiftyyearsold。It’salmostdead。Seethelittleholesboredinthebark。Theyweremadebyabeetle。Look！\"
Iswungmyhatchetandsplitoffasectionofbark。Everywhereinthebarkandroundthetreeranlittledust—filledgrooves。Ipriedoutanumberoftinybrownbeetles，somewhattheshapeofapinching—bug，onlyverymuchsmaller。
\"There！You’dhardlythinkthatthatgreattreewaskilledbyalotoflittlebugs，wouldyou？Theygirdlethetreesandpreventthesapfromflowing。\"
Ifoundanoldchestnutwhichcontainednestsofthedeadlywhitemoths，andexplainedhowitlaiditseggs，andhowthecaterpillarsthatcamefromthemkilledthetreesbyeatingtheleaves。Ishowedhowmiceandsquirrelsinjuredtheforestbyeatingtheseeds。
\"FirstI’dcutandsellallthematuredanddeadtimber。ThenI’dthinoutthespreadingtreesthatwantallthelight，andthesaplingsthatgrowtooclosetogether。I’dgetridofthebeetles，andtrytocheckthespreadofcaterpillars。Fortreesgrowtwiceasfastiftheyarenotchokedordiseased。
ThenI’dkeepplantingseedsandshootsintheopenplaces，takingcaretofavorthespeciesbestadaptedtothesoil，andcuttingthosethatdon’tgrowwell。Inthiswaywe’llbekeepingourforestwhiledoublingitsgrowthandvalue，andhavingayearlyincomefromit。\"
\"Kenneth，Iseeyou’reindeadearnestaboutthisbusiness，\"saidmyfather，slowly。\"BeforeIcameoutheretodayIhadbeenlookingupthesubject，andIbelieve，withyou，thatforestryreallymeansthesalvationofourcountry。Ithinkyouarereallyinterested，andI’veamindnottoopposeyou。\"
\"You’llneverregretit。I’lllearn;I’llworkup。Thenit’sanoutdoorlife——healthy，free——why！alltheboysI’vetoldtaketotheidea。There’ssomethingfineaboutit。\"\"Forestryitis，then，\"repliedhe。\"Ilikethepromiseofit，andIlikeyourattitude。Ifyouhavelearnedsomuchwhileyouwerecampingoutherethepastfewsummersitspeakswellforyou。ButwhydoyouwanttogotoArizona？\"
\"BecausethebestchancesareoutWest。I’dliketogetalineontheNationalForeststherebeforeIgotocollege。Theworkwillbedifferent;
thoseWesternforestsareallpine。I’veafriend，DickLeslie，afellowI
usedtofishwith，whowentWestandisnowafirerangerinthenewNationalForestinArizona——Penetieristhenameofit。Hehaswrittenmeseveraltimestocomeoutandspendawhilewithhiminthewoods。\"
\"Penetier？Whereisthat——nearwhattown？\"
\"Holston。It’saprettyroughcountry，Dicksays;plentyofdeer，bears，andlionsonhisrange。SoIcouldhuntsomewhilestudyingtheforests。I
thinkI’dbesafewithDick，evenifitiswildoutthere。\"
\"Allright，I’llletyougo。Whenyoureturnwe’llseeaboutthecollege。\"
Thenhesurprisedmebydrawingaletterfromhispocketandhandingittome。\"Myfriend，Mr。White，gotthisletterfromthedepartmentatWashington。Itmaybeofusetoyououtthere。\"
Soitwassettled，andwhenfatherdroveoffhomewardHalandIwentbacktocamp。Itwouldhavebeenhardtosaywhichofuswasthemoreexcited。
Haldidawardanceroundthecampfire。Iwasglad，however，thathedidnothavethelittletwingeofremorsewhichIexperienced，forIhadnottoldhimorfatherallthatDickhadwrittenaboutthewildernessofPenetier。Iamafraidmymindwasasmuchoccupiedwithriflesandmustangsaswiththestudyofforestry。But，thoughtheadventurecalledmoststronglytome，IknewIwassincereabouttheforestryendofit，andI
resolvedthatIwouldneverslightmyopportunities。So，smotheringconscience，Ifelltothedelightofmakingplans。Iwasforbreakingcampatonce，butHalpersuadedmetostayonemoreday。Wetalkedforhours。
Onlyonethingbotheredme。Halwasjollyandglumbyturns。Hereveledintheplansformyoutfit，buthewantedhisownchance。AthousandtimesI
hadtorepeatmypromise，andthelastthinghesaidbeforewesleptwas：
\"Ken，you’regoingtoringmeinnextsummer！\"
II。THEMANONTHETRAIN
Travellingwasanewexperiencetome，andonthefirstnightafterIlefthomeIlayawakeuntilwereachedAltoona。WerolledoutofsmokyPittsburgatdawn，andfromthenontheonlybitterdropinmycupofblisswasthatthetrainwentsofastIcouldnotseeeverythingoutofmywindow。
Fourdaystoride！ThegreatMississippitocross，theplains，theRockyMountains，thentheArizonaplateaus—along，longjourneywithawildpineforestattheend！Iwonderedwhatmoreanyyoungfellowcouldhavewished。
WithmyfacegluedtothecarwindowIwatchedthelevelcountryspeedby。
Thereappearedtobeonecontinuousprocessionofwell—cultivatedfarms，littlehamlets，andprosperoustowns。Whatinterestedmemost，ofcourse，werethefarms，forallofthemhadsomekindofwood。Wepassedazoneofmapleforestswhichlookedtobemorecarefullykeptthantheothers。ThenIrecognizedthattheyweremaple—sugartrees。Thefarmershadcleanedouttheotherspecies，andthisprimitivemethodofforestryhadproducedthefinestmaplesithadeverbeenmygood—fortunetosee。IndianawasflatterthanOhio，notsowellwatered，andthereforelessheavilytimbered。Isaw，withregret，thatthewoodlandwasbeingcutregularly，treeaftertree，andstackedincordsforfirewood。
AtChicagoIwastochangeforSantaFe，andfindingmytraininthestationIclimbedaboard。Mycarwasatouristcoach。FatherhadinsistedonbuyingaticketfortheCaliforniaLimited，butIhadarguedthataluxuriousPullmanwasnotexactlythethingforaprospectiveforester。
StillIpocketedtheextramoneywhichIhadassuredhimheneednotspendforthefirst—classticket。
Thehugestation，withitsglaringlightsandclangingbells，andtheoutspreadingcity，soongaveplacetoprairieland。
ThatnightIsleptlittle，buttheverytimeIwantedtobeawake——whenwecrossedtheMississippi——Iwasslumberingsoundly，andsomissedit。
\"I’llbetIdon’tmissitcomingback，\"Ivowed。
ThesightoftheMissouri，however，somewhatrepaidmefortheloss。Whatamuddy，wideriver！AndIthoughtofthethousandsofmilesofcountryitdrained，andoftheforeststheremustbeatitssource。Thencamethenever—endingKansascorn—fields。Idonotknowwhetheritwastheirlengthortheirtreelessmonotony，butIgrewtiredlookingatthem。
FromthenonIbegantotakesomenoticeofmyfellow—travelers。Theconductorprovedtobeanagreeableoldfellow;andthetrain—boy，thoughI
mistrustedhisadvancesbecausehetriedtosellmeeverythingfromchewing—gumtominingstock，turnedouttobeprettygoodcompany。TheNegroporterhadsuchajollyvoiceandlaughthatItalkedtohimwheneverIgotthechance。Thenoccasionalpassengersoccupiedtheseatoppositemefromtowntotown。Theyweremuchalike，allsunburnedandloud—voiced，anditlookedasthoughtheyhadallboughttheirhighbootsandwidehatsatthesameshop。
Thelasttravellertofacemewasaveryheavymanwithagreatbulletheadandashockoflighthair。Hisblueeyeshadaboldflash，hislongmustachedrooped，andtherewassomethingabouthimthatIdidnotlike。Heworeahugediamondinthebosomofhisflannelshirt，andaleatherwatch—chainthatwasthickandstrongenoughtohaveheldupatown—clock。
\"Hot，\"hesaid，ashemoppedhismoistbrow。
\"Notsohotasitwas，\"Ireplied。
\"Surenot。We’reclimbin’alittle。He’swhistlin’forDodgeCitynow。\"
\"DodgeCity？\"Iechoed，withinterest。Thenamebroughtbackvividscenesfromcertainyellow—backedvolumes，andcertainuncomfortablememoriesofmyfather’sdispleasure。\"Isn’tthistheoldcattletownwherethereusedtobesomanyfights？\"
\"Sure。An’notsoverylongago。Here，lookoutthewindow。\"Heclappedhisbighandonmyknee;thenpointed。\"Seethathillthere。DeadMan’sHillitwasonce，wheretheyburiedthefellersasdiedwiththeirbootson。\"
Istared，andevenstretchedmyneckoutofthewindow。
\"Yes，oldDodgewassurelively，\"hecontinued，asourtrainpassedon。\"I
seenalittlemix—uptheremyselfintheearlyeighties。Fivecow—punchers，friendstheywas，hadbeenvisitin’town。Onefeller，playful—like，takesanotherfeller’squirt——that’sawhip。An’theotherfeller，playful—like，says，’Giveitback。’Thentheytusslesforit，an’rollsontheground。I
waslaughin’，aswaseverybody，when，suddenly，theownerofthequirtthumpshisfriend。Bothcowboysgotup，slow，an’watchin’ofeachother。
Thenthefirstfeller，whohadstartedtheplay，pullshisgun。He’dhardlyflasheditwhentheyallpullsguns，an’itwassomenoisyan’smoky。Inaboutfivesecondstherewasfivedeadcowpunchers。Killedthemselves，asyoumightsay，justforfun。That’swhatlifewasworthinoldDodge。\"
AfterthisstoryIfeltmorekindlydisposedwardmytravellingcompanion，andwouldhaveaskedformoreromancesbuttheconductorcamealongandengagedhiminconversation。Thenmyneighboracrosstheaisle，ayoungfellownotmucholderthanmyself，askedmetotalktohim。
\"Why，yes，ifyoulike，\"Ireplied，insurprise。Hewaspale;therewereredspotsinhischeeks，anddarklinesunderhiswearyeyes。
\"Youlooksostrongandeagerthatit’sdonemegoodtowatchyou，\"heexplained，withasadsmile。\"Yousee——I’msick。\"
ItoldhimIwasverysorry，andhopedhewouldgetwellsoon。
\"IoughttohavecomeWestsooner，\"hereplied，\"butIcouldn’tgetthemoney。\"
Helookedupatmeandthenoutofthewindowatthesunsettingredacrosstheplains。Itriedtomakehimthinkofsomethingbesidehimself，butI
madeamessofit。Themeetingwithhimwasashocktome。Longafterdark，whenIhadstretchedoutforthenight，IkeptthinkingofhimandcontrastingwhatIhadtolookforwardtowithhisdismalfuture。Somehowitdidnotseemfair，andIcouldnotgetridoftheideathatIwasselfish。
NextdayIhadmyfirstsightofrealmountains。AndthePennsylvaniahills，thatallmylifehadappearedsohigh，dwindledtonothing。AtTrinidad，wherewestoppedforbreakfast，Iwalkedoutontheplatformsniffingatthekeenthinair。WhenwecrossedtheRatonMountainsintoNewMexicothesickboygotoffatthefirststation，andIwavedgood—byetohimasthetrainpulledout。ThenthemountainsandthefunnylittleadobehutsandthePuebloIndiansalongthelinemademeforgeteverythingelse。
Thebigmanwiththeheavywatch—chainwasstillonthetrain，andafterhehadreadhisnewspaperhebegantotalktome。
\"Thisroadfollowstheoldtrailthatthegoldseekerstookinforty—nine，\"
hesaid。\"We’recomin’soontoaplace，ApachePass，wheretheApachesusedtoambushthewagon—trains，It’ssomewheresalonghere。\"
Presentlythetrainwoundintoanarrowyellowravine，thewallsofwhichgrewhigherandhigher。
\"ThemApacheswastheworstredskinseverintheWest。Theyusedtohideontopofthispassan’shootdownonthewagon—trains。\"
Laterinthedayhedrewmyattentiontoamountainstandingallbyitself。
Itwasshapedlikeacone，greenwithtreesalmosttothesummit，andendinginabarestonepeakthathadaflattop。
\"StarvationPeak，\"hesaid。\"Thatname’sthreehundredyearsold，datesbacktothetimetheSpaniardsownedthisland。There’sastoryaboutitthat’slikelytrueenough。SomeSpaniardswereattackedbyIndiansan’
climbedtothepeak，expectin’tobebetterabletodefendthemselvesupthere。TheIndianscampedbelowthepeakan’starvedtheSpaniards。Stucktheretilltheystarvedtodeath！That’swhereitgotitsname。\"
\"Thosetimesyoutellofmusthavebeengreat，\"Isaid，regretfully。\"I’dliketohavebeenherethen。Butisn’tthecountryallsettlednow？Aren’ttheIndiansdead？There’snomorefighting？\"
\"It’snotlikeitusedtobe，butthere’sstillwarmplacesintheWest。
NotthattheIndiansbreakoutoftenanymore。Butbadmenarealmostasbad，ifnotsoplentiful，aswhenBillytheKidruntheseparts。Isawtwomenshotan’anotherknifedjestbeforeIwentEasttoSt。Louis。\"
\"Where？\"
\"InArizona。HolstonisthestationwhereIgetoff，an’ithappenednearthere。\"
\"HolstoniswhereI’mgoing。\"
\"Youdon’tsay。Well，I’mgladtomeetyou，youngman。Myname’sBuell，an’
I’msomeknowninHolston。What’syourname？\"
Heeyedmeinasharpbutnotunfriendlymanner，andseemedpleasedtolearnofmydestination。
\"Ward。KennethWard。I’mfromPennsylvania。\"
\"Youhaven’tgotthebugs。Anyonecanseethat，\"hesaid，andasIlookedpuzzledhewentonwithasmile，andasoundingraponhischest：\"Mostyoungfellersascomeoutherehaveconsumption。Theycallitbugs。I
reckonyou’reseekin’yourfortune。\"’
\"Yes，inaway。\"
\"There’sopportunitiesforhuskyyoungstersouthere。What’reyougoin’torustlefor，ifImayask？\"
\"I’mgoinginforforestry。\"
\"Forestry？Doyoumeanlumberin’？\"
\"No。Forestryisrathertheoppositeoflumbering。I’mgoinginforGovernmentforestry——tosavethetimber，notcutit。\"
Itseemedtomehegavealittlestartofsurprise;hecertainlystraightenedupandlookedatmehard。
\"What’sGovernmentforestry？\"
Itoldhimtothebestofmyability。Helistenedattentivelyenough，butthereafterhehadnotanotherwordforme，andpresentlyhewentintothenextcar。ItookhismannertobetheWesternabruptnessthatIhadheardof，andpresentlyforgothiminthesceneryalongtheline。AtAlbuquerqueIgotoffforatriptoalunch—counter，andhappenedtotakeaseatnexttohim。
\"KnowanybodyinHolston？\"heasked。
AsIcouldnotspeakbecauseofamouthfulofsandwichIshookmyhead。ForthemomentIhadforgottenaboutDickLeslie，andwhenitdidoccurtomesomeIndiansofferingtosellmebeadsstraightwaydroveitoutofmymindagain。
WhenIawokethenextday，itwastoseethesageridgesandredbuttesofArizona。WeweredueatHolstonateighto’clock，butowingtoacrippledenginethetrainwashourslate。AtlastIfellasleeptobeawakenedbyavigorousshake。
\"Holston。Yourstop。Holston，\"theconductorwassaying。
\"Allright，\"Isaid，sittingupandthenmakingagrabformygrip。\"We’reprettylate，aren’twe？\"
\"Sixhours。It’stwoo’clock。\"
\"HopeIcangetaroom，\"Isaid，asIfollowedhimoutontheplatform。Hehelduphislanternsothatthelightwouldshineinmyface。\"There’sahoteldownthestreetablockorso。Betterhurryandlooksharp。Holston’snotasafeplaceforastrangeratnight。\"
Isteppedoffintoawindydarkness。Alampglimmeredinthestationwindow。ByitslightImadeoutseveralmen，theforemostofwhomhadadark，pointedfaceandglitteringeyes。Heworeastrangehat，andIknewfrompicturesIhadseenthathewasaMexican。ThenthebulkyformofBuellloomedup。Icalled，butevidentlyhedidnothearme。Thementookhisgrips，andtheymovedawaytodisappearinthedarkness。WhileI
paused，hopingtoseesomeonetodirectme，thetrainpuffedout，leavingmealoneontheplatform。
WhenIturnedthecornerIsawtwodimlights，onefartotheleft，theothertotheright，andtheblackoutlineofbuildingsunderwhatappearedtobetheshadowofamountain。ItwasthequietestanddarkesttownIhadeverstruck。
Idecidedtoturntowardtheright—handlight，fortheconductorhadsaid\"downthestreet。\"Isetforthatabriskpace，butthelonelinessandstrangenessoftheplacewereratherdepressing。
BeforeIhadgonemanysteps，however，thesoundofrunningwaterhaltedme，andjustinthenickoftime，forIwaswalkingstraightintoaditch。
BypeeringhardintothedarknessandfeelingmywayIfoundabridge。Thenitdidnottakelongtoreachthelight。Butitwasasaloon，andnotthehotel。Onepeepintoitservedtomakemefaceaboutindouble—quicktime，andhurryintheoppositedirection。
Hearingasoftfootfall，Iglancedovermyshoulder，toseetheMexicanthatIhadnoticedatthestation。Hewascomingfromacrossthestreet。I
wonderedifhewerewatchingme。Hemightbe。Myheartbegantobeatviolently。Turningonceagain，Idiscoveredthatthefellowcouldnotbeseeninthepitchyblackness。ThenIbrokeintoarun。
III。THETRAIL
Ashortdashbroughtmetotheendoftheblock;thesidestreetwasnotsodark，andafterIhadcrossedthisopenspaceIglancedbackward。
SoonIspedintoawancircleoflight，and，reachingadooruponwhichwasahotelsign，Iburstin。Chairswerescatteredaboutabareoffice;amanstirredonacouch，andthensatup，blinking。
\"I’mafraid——Ibelievesomeone’schasingme，\"Isaid。
Hesatthereeyingme，andthendrawled，sleepily：
\"Thetain’tnocalltowakeafeller，isit？\"
Themansettledhimselfcomfortablyagain，andclosedhiseyes。
\"Say，isn’tthisahotel？Iwantaroom！\"Icried。
\"Up—stairs;firstdoor。\"Andwiththattheporterwenttosleepingoodearnest。
Imadeforthestairs，and，afterabackwardlookintothestreet，Iranup。Asmellylampshedayellowishglarealongahall。Ipushedopenthefirstdoor，and，enteringtheroom，boltedmyselfin。Thenallthestrengthwentoutofmylegs。WhenIsatdownonthebedIwasinacoldsweatandshakinglikealeaf。Soontheweaknesspassed，andImovedabouttheroom，tryingtofindalamporcandle。Evidentlythehotel，and，forthatmatter，thetownofHolston，didnotconcernitselfwithsuchtriflesaslights。OntheinstantIgotabadimpressionofHolston。Ihadtoundressinthedark。WhenIpulledthewindowopenalittleatthetoptheuppersashslidallthewaydown。Imanagedtogetitback，andtriedraisingthelowersash。Itwasveryloose，butitstayedup。ThenIcrawledintobed。
ThoughIwastiredandsleepy，mymindwhirledsothatIcouldnotgettosleep。IfIhadbeenhonestwithmyselfIshouldhavewishedmyselfbackhome。Pennsylvaniaseemedalongwayoff，andtheadventuresthatIhaddreamedofdidnotseemsoalluring，nowthatIwasinalonelyroominalonely，darktown。Buellhadseemedfriendlyandkind——atleast，inthebeginning。Whyhadhenotansweredmycall？Theincidentdidnotlookwelltome。ThenIfelltowonderingiftheMexicanhadreallyfollowedme。Thefirstthingformeinthemorningwouldbetobuyarevolver。ThenifanyMexicans——
Asteponthetinroofoutsidefrightenedmestiff。Ihadnoticedaporch，orshed，undermywindow。Someonemusthaveclimbeduponit。Istoppedbreathingtolisten。Forwhatseemedmomentstherewasnosound。Iwantedtothinkthatthenoisemighthavebeenmadebyacat，butIcouldn’t。I
wasscared——frightenedhalftodeath。
Iftherehadbeenaboltonthewindowthematterwouldnothavebeensodisturbing。Ilaytherea—quiver，eyesuponthegraywindowspaceofmyroom。Deadsilenceoncemoreintervened。AllIheardwasthepoundofmyheartagainstmyribs。
SuddenlyIfrozeatthesightofablackfigureagainstthelightofmywindow。Irecognizedthestrangebat，thegrotesqueoutlines。Iwasabouttoshoutforhelpwhenthefellowreacheddownandsoftlybegantoraisethesash。
Thatmademeangry。Jerkingupinbed，Icaughttheheavypitcherfromthewash—standandflungitwithallmymight。
Crash！
HadIsmashedoutthewholesideoftheroomitcouldscarcelyhavemademorenoise。Accompaniedbytheclinkingofglassandthecreakingoftin，myvisitorrolledofftheroof。Iwaited，expectinganuproarfromtheotherinmatesofthehotel。Nofootstep，nocallsoundedwithinhearing。
Onceagainthestillnesssettleddown。
Then，tomyrelief，thegraygloomlightened，anddawnbroke。NeverhadI
beensogladtoseethemorning。WhiledressingIcastgratifiedglancesattheraggedholeinthewindow。Withthedaylightmycouragehadreturned，andIbegantohaveasortofprideinmyachievement。
\"IfthatfellowhadknownhowIcanthrowabaseballhe’dhavebeencareful，\"Ithought，alittlecockily。
Iwentdown—stairsintotheoffice。Thesleepyporterwasmoppingthefloor。BehindthedeskstoodamansolargethathemadeBuellseemsmall。
Hewasallshouldersandbeard。
\"CanIgetbreakfast？\"
\"Nobody’sgotahalf—hitchonyou，hasthey？\"hereplied，jerkingamonstrousthumboverhisshouldertowardadoor。
Iknewthewordshalf—hitchhadsomethingtodowithalasso，andIwasrathertakenbackbythehotelproprietor’sremark。Thedining—roomwasmoreattractivethananythingIhadyetseenabouttheplace：thelinenwasclean，andthehamandeggsandcoffeethatwerebeingservedtoseveralruggedmengaveforthasavoryodor。Buteitherthewaiterwasblindorhecouldnotbear，forhepaidnottheslightestattentiontome。Iwaited，whiletryingtofigureoutthesituation。Somethingwaswrong，and，whateveritwas，Iguessedthatitmustbewithme。AfteraboutanhourIgotmybreakfast。ThenIwentintotheoffice，intendingtobebrisk，businesslike，andcarefulaboutaskingquestions。
\"I’dliketopaymybill，andalsoforalittledamage，\"Isaid，tellingwhathadhappened。
\"Somebody’llkillthetGreaseryet，\"wasallthecommentthemanmade。
Iwentoutside，notknowingwhethertobeangryoramusedwiththesequeerpeople。InthebroadlightofdayHolstonlookedasbadasithadmademefeelbynight。AllIcouldseewerethestationandfreight—sheds，severalstoreswithhigh，widesigns，glaringlypainted，andalongblockofsaloons。WhenIhadturnedastreetcorner，however，anumberofstorescameintoviewwithsomethree—storiedbrickbuildings，and，fartherout，manyframehouses。
Moreover，thisstreetledmyeyetogreatsnowcappedmountains，andI
stoppedshortinmytracks，forIrealizedtheyweretheArizonapeaks。UptheswellingslopessweptablackfringethatIknewtobetimber。Themountainsappearedtobeclose，butIknewthateventhefoot—billsweremilesaway。Penetier，IrememberedfromoneofDick’sletters，wasontheextremenorthernslope，anditmustbeanywherefromfortytosixtymilesoff。Thesharp，whitepeaksglistenedinthemorningsun;theairhadacooltouchofsnowandatangofpine。Idrewinafullbreath，withasenseonbeingamongthepines。
NowImustbuymyoutfitandtakethetrailforPenetier。ThisIresolvedtodowithasfewquestionsaspossible。Ineverbeforewastroubledbysensitiveness，butthefacthaddawneduponmethatIdidnotlikebeingtakenforatenderfoot。So，withthisinmind，Ienteredageneralmerchandisestore。
Itwasverylarge，andfullofhardware，harness，saddles，blankets——
everythingthatcowboysandranchmenuse。Severalmen，twoinshirt—sleeves，werechattingnearthedoor。Theysawmecomein，andthen，forallthatitmeanttothem，Imightaswellnothavebeeninexistenceatall。SoIsatdowntowait，determinedtotakeWesternwaysandthingsasIfoundthem。Isattherefifteenminutesbymywatch。Thiswasnotsobad;butwhenalanky，red—faced，leather—leggedindividualcameintoheatoncesuppliedwithhiswants，Ibegantogetangry。Iwaitedanotherfiveminutes，andstillthefriendlychattingwenton。FinallyIcouldstanditnolonger。
\"Willsomebodywaitonme？\"Idemanded。
Oneoftheshirt—sleevedmenleisurelygotupandsurveyedme。
\"Doyouwanttobuysomething？\"hedrawled。
\"Yes，Ido。\"
\"Whydidn’tyousayso？\"
ThereplytremblingonmylipswascutshortbytheentranceofBuell。
\"Hello！\"hesaidinaloudvoice，shakinghandswithme。\"You’vetrailedintotherightplace。Smith，treatthisladright。It’sgunsan’knivesan’
lassoeshewants，I’llbetahoss。\"
\"Yes，Iwantanoutfit，\"Isaid，muchembarrassed。\"I’mgoingtomeetafriendoutinPenetier，aranger——DickLeslie。\"
Buellstartedviolently，andhiseyesflashed。\"Dick——DickLeslie！\"hesaid，andcoughedloudly。\"IknowDick……Soyou’reafriendofhis’n？……Now，letmehelpyouwiththeoutfit。\"
AnythingstrangeinBuell’smannerwasforgotten，intheabsorbinginterestofmyoutfit。Fatherhadgivenmeplentyofmoney，sothatIhadbuttochoose。Ihadhadsenseenoughtobringmyoldcorduroysandboots，andI
haddonnedthemthatmorning。OneafteranotherImademypurchases——Winchester，revolver，bolsters，ammunition，saddle，bridle，lasso，blanket。WhenIgotsofar，Buellsaid：\"You’llneedamustangan’apack—pony。Iknowafellerwho’sgotjestwhatyouwant。\"Andwiththatheledmeoutofthestore。
\"Nowyoutakeitfromme，\"hewenton，inafatherlyvoice，\"Holstonpeoplehaven’tgotanyuseforEasterners。An’ifyoumentionyourbusiness——
forestryan’that——why，youwouldn’tbesafe。There’smanyinthelumberin’businesshereasdon’ttakekindlytotheGovernment。See！That’swhyI’mgivin’youadvice。Keepittoyourselfan’hitthetrailtoday，soonasyoucan。I’llsteeryouright。\"
Iwastoomuchexcitedtoanswerclearly;indeed，Ihardlythankedhim。
However，bescarcelygavemethechance。HekeptuphistalkaboutthetownspeopleandtheirattitudetowardEasternersuntilwearrivedatakindofstock—yardfullofshaggylittleponies。Thesightofthemdroveeveryotherthoughtoutofmyhead。
\"Mustangs！\"Iexclaimed。
\"Sure。Canyouride？\"
\"Ohyes。Ihaveahorseathome……Whatwirylittlefellows！They’resowild—looking。\"
\"Youpickouttheoneassuitsyou，an’I’llstepintoCless’shere。He’sthemanwhoownsthisbunch。\"
Itdidnottakemelongtodecide。Ablackmustangatoncetookmyeye。
Whenhehadbeencurriedandbrushedhewouldbealittlebeauty。IwastryingtocoaxhimtomewhenBuellreturnedwithaman。
\"Thetyourpick？\"heasked，asIpointed。\"Well，now，you’renotsomuchofatenderfoot。Thet’sthebestmustanginthelot。Cless，howmuchforhim，an’apack—ponyan’pack—saddle？\"
\"Ireckontwentydollars’llmakeitsquare，\"repliedtheowner。
Thisnearlymademedropwithamazement。Ihadonlyaboutseventy—fivedollarsleft，andIhadbeenverymuchafraidthatIcouldnotbuythemustang，letalonethepack—ponyandsaddle。
\"Cless，sendroundtoSmithforthelad’soutfit，an’saddleupforhimatonce。\"Thenheturnedtome。\"Nowsomegrub，an’apanortwo。\"
Havingcampedbefore，Iknewhowtobuysupplies。Buell，however，cutoutmuchthatIwanted，sayingthethingtothinkofwasalightpackforthepony。
\"I’llhurrytothehotelandgetmythings，\"Isaid，\"andmeetyouhere。
I’llnotbeamoment。\"
ButBuellsaiditwouldbebetterforhimtogowithme，thoughhedidnotexplain。Hekeptwithme，stillheremainedintheofficewhileIwentup—stairs。Somehowthissuitedme，forIdidnotwanthimtoseethebrokenwindow。Itookafewthingsfrommygripandrolledtheminabundle。ThenItookalittleleathercaseofoddsandendsIhadalwayscarriedwhencampingandslippeditintomypocket。Hurryingdown—stairsIleftmygripwiththeporter，wroteandmailedapostalcardtomyfather，andfollowedtheimpatientBuell。
\"Yousee，it’sasmartlickofaridetoPenetier，andIwanttogettherebeforedark，\"heexplained，kindly。
IcouldhaveshoutedforverygleewhenIsawtheblackmustangsaddledandbridled。
\"He’swellbroke，\"saidCless。\"Keephisbridledownwhenyouain’tinthesaddle。An’findapatchofgrassferhimatnight。Thepony’llsticktohim。\"
Clessfelltopackingaleanpack—pony。
\"Watchmedothis，\"saidhe;\"you’llhevtroubleifyoudon’tgitthehangofthediamondhitch。\"
Iwatchedhimsetthelittlewoodencriss—crossonthepony’sback，throwthebalanceofmyoutfit（whichhehadtiedupinacanvas）overthesaddle，andthenpassalongropeinremarkableturnsandwonderfulloopsroundponyandpack。
\"What’sthemustang’sname？\"Iinquired。
\"Neverhadany，\"repliedtheformerowner。
\"Thenit’sHal。\"Ithoughthowthatnamewouldpleasemybrotherathome。
\"Climbup。Let’sseeifyoufitthestirrups，\"saidCless。\"Couldn’tbebetter。\"
\"Now，youngfeller，youcanhitthetrail，\"putinBuell，withhisbigvoice。\"An’rememberwhatItoldyou。Thiscountryain’tgotmuchuseforafellerascan’tlookoutforhimself。\"
Heopenedthegate，andledmymustangintotheroadandquitesomedistance。Theponyjoggedalongafterus。ThenBuellstoppedwithafingeroutstretched。
\"There，attheendofthisstreet，you’llfindatrail。Hititan’sticktoit。Allthelittletrail’sleadin’intoitneedn’tbotheryou。\"
Heswepthishandroundtothewestofthemountain。ThedirectiondidnottallywiththeideaIhadgottenfromDick’sletter。
\"IthoughtPenetierwasonthenorthsideofthemountains。\"
\"Whosaidso？\"heasked，staring。\"Don’tIknowthiscountry？Takeitfromme。\"
Ithankedhim，and，turning，withalightheartIfacedtheblackmountainandmyjourney。
Itwasaboutteno’clockwhenHaljoggedintoabroadtrailontheoutskirtsofHolston。Agrayflatlaybeforeme，ontheothersideofwhichbegantheslowriseoftheslope。Icouldhardlycontainmyself。Iwantedtorunthemustang，butdidnotforthesakeoftheburdenedpony。Thatsage—flatwasmileswide，thoughitseemedsonarrow。Thebackofthelowerslopebegantochangetoadarkgreen，whichtoldmeIwassurelygettingclosertothemountains，evenifitdidnotseemso。Thetrailbegantorise，andatlastIreachedthefirstpine—trees。Theywereadisappointmenttome，beingnolargerthanmanyofthewhiteoaksathome，andstunted，withraggeddeadtops。Theyprovedtomethattreesisolatedfromtheirfellowsfareaspoorlyastreesovercrowded。Wherepinesgrowclosely，butnottooclosely，theyrisestraightandtrue，cleaningthemselvesofthelowbranches，andmakinggoodlumber，freeofknots。
Wheretheygrowfarapart，atthemercyofwindandheatandfreetospreadmanybranches，theymakeonlygnarledandknottylumber。
AsIrodeonthepinesbecameslowlymorenumerousandloftier。Then，whenIhadsurmountedwhatItooktobethefirstfoot—hill，Icameuponamagnificentforest。Alittlefartheronthetrailwalledmeinwithgreatseamedtrunks，sixfeetindiameter，risingahundredfeetbeforespreadingasinglebranch。
Meanwhilemymustangkeptsteadilyuptheslow—risingtrail，andthetimepassed。Eitherthegrandoldforesthadcompletelybewitchedmeorthesweetsmellofpinehadintoxicatedme，forasIrodealongutterlycontentIentirelyforgotaboutDickandthetrailandwhereIwasheading。NordidIcometomysensesuntilHalsnortedandstoppedbeforeatangledwindfall。
ThenIglanceddowntoseeonlytheclean，brownpine—needles。Therewasnotrail。Perplexedandsomewhatanxious，Irodebackapiece，expectingsurelytocrossthetrail。ButIdidnot。Iwenttotheleftandtotheright，thencircledinawidecurve。Notrail！Theforestaboutmeseemedatoncefamiliarandstrange。
ItwasonlywhenthelongshadowsbegantocreepunderthetreesthatI
awokefullytothetruth。
Ihadmissedthetrail！Iwaslostintheforest！
IV。LOSTINTHEFOREST
ForamomentIwasdazed。Andthencamepanic。Iranupthisridgeandthatone，Irushedtoandfroovergroundwhichlooked，whateverwayIturned，exactlythesame。AndIkeptsaying，\"I’mlost！I’mlost！\"NotuntilI
droppedexhaustedagainstapine—treedidanyotherthoughtcometome。
ThemomentthatIstoppedrunningaboutsoaimlesslythepanickyfeelingleftme。Irememberedthatforarangertobelostintheforestwasanevery—dayaffair，andthesoonerIbeganthatpartofmyeducationthebetter。ThenitcametomehowfoolishIhadbeentogetalarmed，whenI
knewthatthegeneralslopeoftheforestleddowntotheopencountry。
Thisputanentirelydifferentlightuponthematter。IstillhadsomefearsthatImightnotsoonfindDickLeslie，buttheseIdismissedforthepresent，atleast。Asuitableplacetocampforthenightmustbefound。I
ledthemustangdownintothehollows，keepingmyeyesharpforgrass。
PresentlyIcametoaplacethatwaswetandsoggyatthebottom，and，followingthisupforquiteaway，Ifoundplentyofgrassandapoolofclearwater。
OftenasIhadmadecampbackinthewoodsofPennsylvania，thedoingofitnowwasnew。Forthiswasnotplay;itwastherealthing，anditmadetheoldcampingseemtame。ItookthesaddleoffHalandtiedhimwithmylasso，makingaslongahalteraspossible。Slippingthepackfromtheponywasaneasiertaskthanthegettingitbackagainwaslikelytoprove。NextIbrokeopenaboxofcartridgesandloadedtheWinchester。Myrevolverwasalreadyloaded，andhungonmybelt。RememberingDick’slettersaboutthebearsandmountain—lionsinPenetierForest，Igotagooddealofcomfortoutofmyweapons。ThenIbuiltafire，andwhilemysupperwascookingI
scrapedupamassofpine—needlesforabed。NeverhadIsatdowntoamealwithsuchasenseofstrangeenjoyment。
ButwhenIhadfinishedandhadeverythingpackedawayandcovered，mymindbegantowanderinunexpecteddirections。Whywasitthatthetwilightseemedtomoveunderthegiantpinesandcreepdownthehollow？WhileI
gazedthegrayshadowsdeepenedtoblack，andnightcamesuddenly。Mycampfireseemedtogivealmostnolight，yetcloseathandtheflickeringgleamsplayedhide—and—seekamongthepinesandchasedupthestraighttreetrunks。Thecracklingofmyfireandthelightstepsofthegrazingmustangsonlyemphasizedthesilenceoftheforest。Thenalowmoaningfromadistancegavemeachill。AtfirstIhadnoideawhatitwas，butpresentlyIthoughtitmustbethewindinthepines。ItborenoresemblancetoanysoundIhadeverbeforeheardinthewoods。Itwouldmurmurfromdifferentpartsoftheforest;sometimesitwouldceaseforalittle，andthentravelandswelltowardme，onlytodieawayagain。Butitrosesteadily，withshorterintervalsofsilence，untiltheintermittentgustssweptthroughthetree—topswitharushingroar。Ihadlistenedtothecrashoftheoceansurf，andtheresemblancewasastrikingone。
ListeningtothismournfulwindwithallmyearsIwasthebetterpreparedforanylonesomecriesoftheforest;nevertheless，asudden，sharp\"Ki—yi—i！\"seeminglyrightatmyback，gavemeafrightthatsentmytonguetotheroofofmymouth。
Fumblingatthehammerofmyrifle，Ipeeredintotheblack—streakedgloomoftheforest。Thecracklingofdrytwigsbroughtmetomyfeet。Atthesamemomentthemustangssnorted。Somethingwasprowlingaboutjustbeyondthelight。Ithoughtofapanther。ThatwastheonlybeastIcouldthinkofwhichhadsuchanunearthlycry。
Thenanotherbowl，resemblingthatofadog，andfollowedbyyelpsandbarks，toldmethatIwasbeingvisitedbyapackofcoyotes。Ispentthegoodpartofanhourlisteningtotheirserenade。Thewild，mournfulnotessentquiversupmyback。By—and—bytheywentaway，andasmyfirehadburneddowntoaredglowandthenightwindhadgrowncoldIbegantothinkofsleep。
ButIwasnotsleepy。WhenIhadstretchedoutonthesoftbedofpine—needleswithmyriflecloseby，andwasallsnugandwarmundertheheavyblanket，itseemedthatnothingwassofarawayfrommeassleep。Thewonderofmysituationkeptmewideawake，myeyesonthedimhugepinesandtheglimmerofstars，andmyearsopentotherushandroarofthewind，everysensealert。HoursmusthavepassedasIlaytherelivingoverthethingsthathadhappenedandtryingtothinkoutwhatwastocome。Atlast，however，Irolledoveronmyside，andwithmyhandontherifleandmycheekclosetothesweet—smellingpine—needlesIdroppedasleep。
WhenIawoketheforestwasbrightandsunny。
\"You’llmakeafineforester，\"Isaidaloud，indisgustatmytardiness。
Thenbeganthesternbusinessoftheday。WhilegettingbreakfastIturnedoverinmymindtheproperthingformetodo。EvidentlyImustpackandfindthetrail。Theponyhadwanderedoffintothewoods，butwaseasilycaught——afactwhichlightenedmyworry，forIknewhowdependentIwasuponmymustangs。WhenIhadtriedforIdonotknowhowlongtogetmypacktostayonthepony’sbackIsawwhereMr。Clesshadplayedajokeonme。Allmemoryofthediamond—hitchhadfadedintoutterconfusion。Firstthepackfellovertheoff—side;next，ontopofme;thenthesaddleslippedawry，andwhenIdidgetthepacktoremainstationaryuponthepatientpony，howonearthtotieittherebecamemoreandmoreofamystery。Finally，insheerdesperation，Iranroundthepony，pulled，tugged，andknottedthelasso;morebyluckthanthroughsenseIhadaccomplishedsomethinginthenatureofthediamond—hitch。
IheadedHalupthegentleforestslope，andbegantheday’sjourneywhereverchancemightleadme。Asconfidencecame，myenjoymentincreased。
IbegantobelieveIcouldtakecareofmyself。Ireasonedoutthat，asthepeaksweresnow—capped，Ishouldfindwater，andverylikelygame，uphigher。Moreover，ImightclimbafoothillorblufffromwhichIcouldgetmybearings。
ItseemedtomethatIpassedmorepine—treesthanIcouldhaveimaginedtherewereinthewholeworld。Milesandmilesofpines！Andineverymiletheygrewlargerandruggederandfartherapart，andsohighthatIcouldhardlyseethetips。AfteratimeIgotoutofthealmostlevelforestintogroundridgedandhollowed，andfounditadvisabletoturnmoretotheright。OnthesunnysouthernslopesIsawtreesthatdwarfedtheonesonthecolderandshadynorthsides。Ialsofoundmanysmallpinesandseedlingsgrowinginwarm，protectedplaces。Thisshowedmethevalueofthesuntoaforest。ThoughIkeptalookoutfordeerorgameofanykind，Isawnothingexceptsomeblacksquirrelswithwhitetails。Theywerebeautifulandverytame，andonewasnibblingatwhatIconcludedmusthavebeenaseedfromapine—cone。
PresentlyIfanciedthatIespiedamovingspeckfardownthroughtheforestglades。IstoppedHal，and，watchingclosely，soonmadecertainofit。Thenitbecamelostforatime，butreappearedagainsomewhatcloser。
Itwaslikeabrownblurandscarcelymoved。IreinedHalmoretotheright。NotforquiteawhiledidIseethethingagain，andwhenIdiditlookedsobigandbrownthatItookupmyWinchester。Thenitdisappearedoncemore。
Idescendedintoahollow，andtyingHal，Istoleforwardonfoot，hopingbythatmeanstogetclosetothestrangeobjectwithoutbeingseenmyself。
Iwaitedbehindapine，andsuddenlythreehorsemenrodeacrossagladenottwohundredyardsaway。TheforemostriderwasnootherthantheMexicanwhomIhadreasontoremember。
Thehugetrunkamplyconcealedme，but，nevertheless，Icroucheddown。HowstrangethatIshouldrunintothatMexicanagain！Wherewashegoing？Hadhefollowedme？Wasthereatrail？
AslongasthethreemenwereinsightIwatchedthem。WhenthelastbrownspeckhadflittedanddisappearedfarawayintheforestIretracedmystepstomymustang，ponderinguponthisnewturninmyaffairs。
\"Thingsareboundtohappentome，\"Iconcluded，\"andImayaswellmakeupmymindtothat。\"
WhilestandingbesideHal，undecidedastomynextmove，Iheardawhistle。
Itwasfaint，perhapsmilesaway，yetunmistakablyitwasthewhistleofanengine。Iwonderediftherailroadturnedroundthissideofthepeaks。
MountingHal，IrodedowntheforesttothepointwhereIhadseenthemen，andtherecameuponatrail。Iproceededalongthisinthedirectionthemenhadtaken。Ihadcomeagaintotheslow—risinglevelthatIhadnotedearlierinmymorning’sjourney。Afterseveralmilesalightoropeningintheforestaheadcausedmetousemorecaution。AsIrodeforwardIsawavastareaoftree—topsfarbelow，andthenIfoundmyselfontheedgeofafoot—hill。
Rightundermewasawide，yellow，barespot，milesacross，ahorribleslashinthegreenforest，andinthemiddleofit，surroundedbystacksonstacksoflumber，wasagreatsawmill。
Istaredinutteramazement。AsawmillonPenetier！EvenasIgazedatrainoffresh—cutlumbertrailedawayintotheforest。
V。THESAWMILL
InmysurpriseIalmostforgottheMexican。ThenIthoughtthatifDickweretheretheMexicanwouldbelikelytohavetroublesofhisown。I
rememberedDick’sreputationasafighter。ButsupposeIdidnotfindDickatthesawmill？Thispartoftheforestwasprobablyownedbyprivateindividuals，forIcouldn’timagineGovernmenttimberbeingcutinthisfashion。SoItiedHalandtheponyamidstathickclumpofyoungpines，and，leavingallmyoutfitexceptmyrevolver，Istruckoutacrosstheslash。
Nosecondglancewasneededtotellthatthelumberingherewascarelessandwithoutthoughtforthefuture。Ithadbeenacleancut，andwhatsmallsaplingshadescapedthesawhadbeencrushedbythedroppingandhaulingofthelargepines。Thestumpswereallaboutthreefeethigh，andthatmeantthewasteofmanythousandsoffeetofgoodlumber。Onlythestraight，unbranchedtrunkshadbeenused。Thetopsofthepineshadnotbeenlopped，andlaywheretheyhadfallen。Itwasawildernessofyellowbrush，adryjungle。ThesmellofpinewassopowerfulthatIcouldhardlybreathe。Firemustinevitablycompletethisworkofruin;alreadyIwasforesterenoughtoseethat。
Presentlythetrailcrossedarailroadtrackwhichappearedtohavebeenhastilyconstructed。SwingingalongatarapidsteponthetiesIsoonreachedtheoutskirtsofthehugestacksoflumber;Imusthavewalkedhalfamilebetweentwoyellowwalls。ThenIenteredthelumbercamp。
Itwasevenworse—lookingthantheslash。Rowsofdirtytents，linesofsquattylog—cabins，andmanyflat—boardhousesclusteredaroundanimmensesawmill。EvidentlyIhadarrivedatthenoonhour，forthemillwasnotrunning，andmanyroughmenwereloungingaboutsmokingpipes。Atthedoorofthefirstshackstoodafat，round—facedNegrowearingalong，dirtyapron。
\"IsDickLesliehere？\"Iasked。
\"IdunnoifDick’scomeinyet，butI’speckshim，\"hereplied。\"BeyoutheyounggentDick’slookin’ferfromdownEast？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Comerightin，sonny，comerightinan’eat。Dickalluseatswithme，an’
hehasspokeoften’boutyou。\"Heledmein，andseatedmeatabenchwhereseveralmenwereeating。Theywerebrawnyfellows，cladinoverallsandundershirts，andone，whospokepleasantlytome，hadsawdustonhisbarearmsandeveninhishair。Thecooksetbeforemeabowlofsoup，aplateofbeans，potroast，andcoffee，allofwhichIattackedwithagoodappetite。Presentlythemenfinishedtheirmeatandwentoutside，leavingmealonewiththecook。
\"Manymenonthisjob？\"Iasked。
\"More’nathousand。Buell’srunnin’twoshifts，dayan’night。\"
\"Buell？Doesheownthisland？\"
\"No。He’sonlytheagentofa’Friscolumbercompany，an’thelandbelongstotheGovernment。Buell’ssureslashin’thelumberoff，though。Twofreight—trainsoflumberouteveryday。\"
\"IsthisPenetierForest？\"Iqueried，carelessly，butIhadbeguntothinkhard。
\"Sure。\"
Iwantedtoaskquestions，butthoughtitwisertowait。IknewenoughalreadytomakeoutthatIhadcomeuponthesceneofagiganticlumbersteal。Buell’sstrangemanneronthetrain，atthestation，andhiseagernesstohurrymeoutofHolstonnowneedednomoreexplanation。I
begantothinktheworstofhim。
\"DidyouseeaMexicancomeintocamp？\"IinquiredoftheNegro。
\"Sure。Greasergotherethismornin’。\"
\"HetriedtorobmeinHolston。\"
\"’Tain’tnothin’newferGreaser。He’sathief，butIneverheerdofhimholdin’anybodyup。Nonerve’cepttoknifeafellerintheback。\"
\"What’llIdoifImeethimhere？\"
\"Slamhimone！You’reastrappin’biglad。Slamhimone，an’flashyourgunonhim。Greaser’sacoward。Iseenayoungfellerhe’dcheatedmakehimcrawl。Anyway，it’llbealldaywithhimwhenDickfindsouthetriedtorobyou。An’say，stranger，ifafellerstayssober，thiscamp’ssafeenoughindaytime，butatnight，drunkorsober，it’satoughplace。\"
BeforeIhadfinishedeatingashrillwhistlefromthesawmillcalledthehandstowork;soonitwasfollowedbytherumbleofmachineryandthesharpsingingofasaw。
Isetouttoseethelumber—camp，andalthoughIsteppedforthboldly，thetruthwasthatwithallmylovefortheWildWestIwouldhavelikedtobeathome。ButhereIwas，andIdeterminednottoshowthewhitefeather。
Ipassedarowofcook—shacksliketheoneIhadbeenin，andseveralstoresandsaloons。Thelumber—campwasalittletown。Aramblinglogcabinattractedmebyreasonoftheshaggymustangsstandingbeforeitandthesoundsofmirthwithin。Apeepshowedmearoomwithalongbar，wheremenandboysweredrinking。Iheardtherattleofdiceandtheclinkofsilver。
Seeingtheplacewascrowded，IthoughtImightfindDickthere，soI
steppedinside。Myentrancewasunnoticed，sofarasIcouldtell;infact，thereseemednoreasonwhyitshouldbeotherwise，for，beingroughlydressed，Ididnotlookverydifferentfromthemanyyoungfellowsthere。I
scannedallthefaces，butdidnotseeDick’s，nor，forthatmatter，theMexican’s。Bothdisappointedandrelieved，Iturnedaway，forthepictureoflowdissipationwasnotattractive。
Thehumofthegreatsawmilldrewmelikeamagnet。Iwentouttothelumber—yardatthebackofthemill，whereatrestleslanteddowntoapondfulloflogs。Atrainloadedwithpineshadjustpulledin，anddozensofmenwererollinglogsofftheflat—carsintoacanal。Atstationsalongthecanalstoodotherspike—polingthelogstowardthetrestle，whereanendlesschaincaughtthemwithsharpclawsandhauledthemup。Half—wayfrom，thegroundtheywerewashedcleanbyacircleofwater—spouts。
Iwalkedupthetrestleandintothemill。Thonoisealmostdeafenedme。
Highaboveallothersoundsrosethepiercingsongofthesaw，andtheshortintervalswhenitwasnotcuttingwerefilledwithathunderouscrashthatjarredthewholebuilding。AfterafewconfusedglancesIgottheworkingorderintomyhead，andfoundmyselfinthemostinterestingplaceIhadeverseen。
Asthestreamoflogscameupintothemillthefirstlogwasshuntedoffthechainuponacarriage。Twomenoperatedthiscarriagebylevers，onetotaketheloguptothesaw，andtheothertorunitbackforanothercut。
Therunbackwasveryswift。Thenahugeblackironheadbuttedupfrombelowandturnedthelogoveraseasilyasifithadbeenastraw。Thiswaswhatmadethejarandcrash。Onthefirstcutthelongstripofbarkwenttotheleftandupagainstfivelittlecircularsaws。Thenthefivepiecesslippedoutofsightdownchutes。Whenthelogwastrimmedamanstationednearthehugeband—sawmadesignstothoseonthecarriage，andIsawthattheygotfromhimdirectionswhethertocutthelogintotimbers，planks，orboards。Theheavytimbers，afterleavingthesaw，wentstraightdownthemiddleofthemill，theplankswenttotheright，theboardsinanotherdirection。Menandboyswereeverywhere，eachwithaleverinhand。Therewasnottheslightestcessationofthework。Andalogfortyfeetlongandsixfeetthick，whichhadtakenhundredsofyearstogrow，wascutupinjustfourminutes。
Theplacefascinatedme。Ihadnotdreamedthatasawmillcouldbebroughttosuchapitchofmechanicalperfection，andIwonderedhowlongthetimberwouldlastatthatrateofcutting。Themovementanddintiredme，andIwentoutsideuponalongplatform。Hereworkmencaughttheplanksandboardsastheycameout，andloadedthemupontruckswhichwerewheeledaway。Thisplatformwasaworldinitself。Itsentarmseverywhereamongthepilesoflumber，andonceortwiceIwasasmuchlostasIhadbeenupintheforest。
WhileturningintooneofthesebywaysIcamesuddenlyuponBuellandanotherman。Theywerestandingnearalittlehouseofweather—strips，evidentlyanoffice，andwereintheirshirt—sleeves。Theyhadnotseenorheardme。Idodgedbehindapileofplanks，intendingtoslipbackthewayIhadcome。BeforeIcouldmoveBuell’svoicerootedmetothespot。
\"Hisname’sWard。Tall，well—setlad。IputGreaserafterhimtheothernight，hopin’toscarehimbackEast。Butnix！\"
\"Well，he’sherenow——tostudyforestry！Ha！ha！\"saidtheother。
\"You’resuretheboyyoumeanistheoneImean？\"
\"Greasertoldmeso。AndthisboyisLeslie’sfriend。\"
\"That’stheworstofit，\"repliedBuell，impatiently。\"I’vegotLesliefixedasfarasthislumberdealisconcerned，buthewon’tstandforanymore。Hewashardertofixthantheotherrangers，an’I’mafraidofhim。\"
he’sgrouchynow。
\"Youshouldn’thavelettheboygethere。\"
\"Stockton，Itriedtopreventit。IputGreaserwithBudan’Billonhistrail。Theydidn’tfindhim，an’nowhereheturnsup。\"
\"Maybehecanbefixed。\"
\"NotifIknowmybusiness，hecan’t;takethatfromme。Thiskidisstraight。He’llqueermydealinaminuteifhegetswise。Mindyou，I’mgettin’learyofWashington。We’veseenaboutthelastoftheselumberdeals。IfIcanpullthisoneoffI’llquit;allIwantisalittlemoretime。ThenI’llfiretheslash，an’that’llcovertracks。\"
\"Buell，Iwouldn’twanttobenearPenetierwhenyoulightthatfire。Thisforestwillburnliketinder。\"
\"It’sawholelotIcarethen。Letherburn。LettheGovernmentputoutthefire。Now，what’stobedoneaboutthisboy？\"
\"IthinkI’dtrytofeelhimout。Maybehecanbefixed。Boyswhowanttobeforesterscan’tberich。Failingthat——yousayhe’sakidwhowantstohuntandshoot——getsomeonetotakehimuponthemountain。\"
\"Seehere，Stockton。ThisyoungWardwillseethetimberisbein’cutclean。IfitwasonlyalittlepatchIwouldn’tmind。Butthisslashan’
thismill！He’llknow。More’nthat，he’lltellLeslieabouttheMexican。
Dick’snofool。We’reupagainstit。\"
\"It’srisky，Buell。YouremembertherangerupinOregon。\"
\"Thenwearetofalldownonthisdealallbecauseofafreshtenderfootkid？\"demandedBuell。
\"Notsoloud……We’llnotfalldown。Butcaution——usecaution。YoumadeamistakeintrustingsomuchtotheGreaser。\"
\"Iknow，an’I’mafraidofLeslie。An’thatotherfire—ranger，JimWilliams，he’saTexan，an’abadman。Thetwoofthemcouldabouttrimupthiscamp。They’llbothfightfortheboy;takethatfromme。\"
\"Wearesureupagainstit。Thinknow，andthinkquick。\"
\"First，I’lltrytofixtheboy。Ifthatwon’twork……we’llkidnaphim。
Thenwe’lltakenochanceswithLeslie。There’sacooltwohundredan’
fiftythousandinthisdealforus，an’we’regoin’togetit。\"
WiththatBuellwentintohisofficeandclosedthedoor;theotherman，Stockton，walkedbrisklydowntheplatform。Icouldnotresistpeepingfrommyhiding—placeashepassed。Hewastallandhadaredbeard，whichwouldenablemetorecognizehimifwemet。
Iwaitedthereforsomelittletime。ThenIsawthatbysqueezingbetweentwopliesoflumbercouldreachtheothersideoftheplatform。WhenI
reachedtherailingIclimbedover，and，withthehelpofbracesandposts，soongottowhereIcoulddropdown。OnceonthegroundIranalongundertheplatformuntilIsawalanethatledtothestreet。MyonethoughtwastoreachthecabinwheretheNegrocookstayedandaskhimifDickLesliehadcometocamp。Ifhehadnotarrived，thenIintendedtomakeabee—lineformymustang。
VI。DICKLESLIE，RANGER
WhichendofthestreetIenteredIhadnoidea。Thecabinswereallalike，andinmyhurryIwouldhavepassedthecook’sshackhaditnotbeenforthesightofamanstandinginthedoor。ThatstalwartfigureIwouldhaveknownanywhere。
\"Dick！\"Icried，rushingathim。
WhatDick’swelcomewasIdidnothear，butjudgingfromthegripheputonmyshouldersandthenonmyhands，hewasgladtoseeme。
\"Ken，blessedifI’dhaveknownyou，\"hesaid，shovingmebackatarm’s—length。\"Let’shavealookatyou……GrownIsay，butyou’reahuskylad！\"
WhilehewaslookingatmeIreturnedthescrutinywithinterest。Dickhadalwaysbeenbig，butnowheseemedwiderandheavier。AmongthesebronzedWesternersheappearedpale，butthatwasonlyonaccountofhisfairskin。
\"Ken，didn’tyougetmyletter——theonetellingyounottocomeWestyetawhile？\"
\"No，\"Ireplied，blankly。\"ThelastoneIgotwasinMay——aboutthemiddle。
Ihaveitwithme。Youcertainlyaskedmetocomethen。Dick，don’tyouwantme——now？\"
Plainitwasthatmyfriendfeltuncomfortable;heshiftedfromonefoottoanother，andaclouddarkenedhisbrow。Buthisblueeyesburnedwithawarmlightasheputhishandonmyshoulder。
\"Ken，I’mgladtoseeyou，\"hesaid，earnestly。\"It’slikegettingaglimpseofhome。ButIwroteyounottocome。Conditionshavechanged——
there’ssomethingdoinghere——I’ll——\"
\"Youneedn’texplain，Dick，\"Ireplied，gravely。\"Iknow。Buelland——\"Iwavedmyhandfromthesawmilltotheencirclingslash。
Dick’sfaceturnedafieryred。IbelievedthatwastheonlytimeDickLeslieeverfailedtolookafellowintheeye。
\"Ken！……You’reon，\"hesaid，recoveringhiscomposure。\"Well，waittillyouhear——Hello！here’sJimWilliams，mypardner。\"
Aclinkingofspursaccompaniedasoftstep。
\"Jim，here’sKenWard，thekidpardnerIusedtohavebackintheStates，\"
saidDick。\"Ken，youknowJim。\"
IfeverIknewanythingbyheartitwaswhatDickhadwrittenmeaboutthisTexan，JimWilliams。
\"Ken，Ishoreamgladtoseeyou，\"drawledJim，givingmyhandasqueezethatIthoughtmustbreakeveryboneinit。
ThoughJimWilliamshadneverbeendescribedtome，myfirstsightofhimfittedmyownideas。Hewastallandspare;hisweather—beatenfaceseemedsetlikeadarkmask;onlyhiseyesmoved，andtheyhadaquiveringalertnessandabrilliancythatmadethemhardtolookinto。Heworeawidesombrero，ablueflannelshirtwithadoublerowofbigbuttons，overalls，top—bootswithveryhighheels，andlongspurs。Aheavyrevolverswungathiship，andifIhadnotalreadyknownthatJimWilliamshadfoughtIndiansandkilledbadmen，Ishouldstillhaveseensomethingthatawedmeinthelookofhim。
Icertainlyfeltproudtobestandingwiththosetworangers，andforthemomentBuellandallhiscrewcouldnothavedauntedme。
\"Hello！what’sthis？\"inquiredDick，throwingbackmycoat;and，catchingsightofmyrevolver，heejaculated：\"KenWard！\"
\"Wal，Ken，ifyou—allain’tpackin’agun！\"saidJim，inhisslow，carelessdrawl。\"Dick，heshoreis！\"
Itwasnowmyturntoblush。
\"Yes，I’vegotagun，\"Ireplied，\"andIoughttohavehadittheothernight。\"
\"Howso？\"inquiredDick，quickly。
ItdidnottakemelongtorelatetheincidentoftheMexican。
Dicklookedlikeathunder—cloud，butJimswayedandshookwithlaughter。
\"Youknockedhimofftheroof？Wal，thetshoreisdee—lightful。Itshoreis！\"
\"Yes;and，Dick，\"Iwenton，breathlessly，\"theGreaserfollowedme，andifIhadn’tmissedthetrail，Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavehappened。Anyway，hegotherefirst。\"
\"TheGreasertrailedyou？\"interruptedDick，sharply。
WhenIrepliedheglancedkeenlyatme。\"Howdoyouknow？\"
\"IsuspecteditwhenIsawhimwithtwomenintheforest。ButnowIknowit。\"
\"How？\"
\"IbeardBuelltellStocktonhehadputtheGreaseronmytrail。\"
\"Buell——Stockton！\"exclaimedDick。\"What’dtheyhavetodowiththeGreaser？\"
\"ImetBuellonthetrain。ItoldhimIhadcomeWesttostudyforestry。
Buell’safraidI’llfindoutaboutthislumbersteal，andhewantstoshutmymouth。\"
DicklookedfrommetoJim，andJimslowlystraitenedhistallform。Foramomentneitherspoke。Dick’swhitefacecausedmetolookawayfromhim。
Jimputahandonmyarm。
\"Ken，youshorewaslucky;youshorewas。\"
\"Iguesshedoesn’tknowhowlucky，\"addedDick，somewhathuskily。\"Comeon，we’lllookuptheMexican。\"
\"ItshoreisfunnyhowbadIwanttoseethetGreaser。\"
Dick’shardlookandtonewerethreateningenough，yettheydidnotaffectmesomuchastheeasy，gaymanneroftheTexan。Littlecoldquiversranoverme，andmykneesknockedtogether。ForthemomentmyanimositytowardtheMexicanvanished，andwithittheoldhungertobeinthethickofWildWesternlife。IwasafraidthatIwasgoingtoseeamankilledwithoutbeingabletoliftahandtopreventit。
Therangersmarchedmebetweenthemdownthestreetandintothecornersaloon。DickheldmehalfbehindhimwithhislefthandwhileJimsaunteredahead。Strangestofallthethingsthathadhappenedwasthesuddensilencingofthenoisycrowd。
TheMexicanwasnotthere。Hiscompanions，BudandBill，asBuellhadcalledthem，weresittingatatable，andasJimWilliamswalkedintothecenteroftheroomtheyslowlyandgraduallyrosetotheirfeet。Onewasaswarthymanwithevileyesandascaronhischeek;theotherhadabrick—
redfaceandasandymustachewithaviciouscurl。Neitherseemedtobeafraid，onlycautious。
\"We’realllookin’forthetGreaserfriendofyourn，\"drawledJim。\"Ishorewanttoseehimbad。\"
\"He’sgone，Williams，\"repliedone。\"Wasinsomethin’ofarustle，an’
didn’tleavenoword。\"
\"Wal，Ireckonhe’sallwe’relookin’forthisperticklerminnit。\"
Jimspokeinasoft，drawlingvoice，andhisalmostexpressionlesstoneseemedtoindicatepleasantindifference;still，noonecouldhavebeenmisledbyit，forthelong，steadygazehegavethemenandhiscoolpresencethatheldtheroomquietmeantsomethingvastlydifferent。Noreplywasoffered。BudandBillsatdown，evidentlytoresumetheircard—playing。Theuneasysilencebroketoalaugh，thentosubduedvoices，andfinallytheclatterandhumbeganagain。Dickledmeoutside，whereweweresoonjoinedbyJim。
\"He’sholedup，\"suggestedDick。
\"Shore。Idon’ttakenostockinhishittin’thetrail。He’slayin’low。\"
\"Let’slookaroundabit，anyhow。\"
Dicktookmebacktothecook’scabinand，biddingmeremaininside，strodeaway。IbeardfootstepssosoonafterhisdeparturethatImadecertainhehadreturned，buttheburlyformwhichblockedthelightinthecabindoorwasnotDick’s。IwasastoundedtorecognizeBuell。
\"Hello！\"hesaid，inhisblusteringvoice。\"Heardyouhadreachedcamp，an’
havebeenhuntin’youup。\"
Igreetedhimpleasantlyenough——morefromsurprisethanfromadesiretomisleadhim。ItseemedtomethenthatachildcouldhavereadBuell。He’danairofsuppressedexcitement;therewasaglowonhisfaceandakindofdaringflashinhiseyes。Heseemedtooeager，toogladtoseeme。
\"I’vegotagoodjobforyou，\"hewenton，glibly。\"jestwhatyouwant，an’
you’rejestwhatIneed。Comeintomyofficean’helpme。There’llbeplentyofoutsidework——measurin’lumber，markin’trees，an’such。\"
\"Why，Mr。Buell——I——yousee，Dick——hemightnot——\"
Ihesitated，notknowinghowtoproceed。ButatmyhaltingspeechBuellbecameevenmoresmilingandvoluble。
\"Dick？Oh，Dickan’Istandallright;takethetfromme。Dick’llagreetowhatIwant。Ineedayoungfellerbad。Money’snoobject。You’reabrightyoungster。You’lllookoutformyinterests。Here！\"Hepulledoutalargewadofgreenbacks，andthenspokeinalowervoice。\"Youunderstandthatmoneycutsnoice’roundthiscamp。We’veabigdeal。Weneedasmartyoungfeller。There’salwayssomelittleirregularitiesaboutthesebigtimberdealsoutWest。Butyou’llwearblinkers，an’makesomemoneywhileyou’restudyin’forestry。See？\"
\"Irregularities？Whatkindofirregularities？\"
ForthelifeofmeIcouldnotkeepalittlescornoutofmyquestion。
Buellslowlyputthebillsinhispocketwhilehiseyessearched;Icouldnotcontrolmyrisingtemper。
\"Youmeanyouwanttofixme？\"
Hemadenoanswer，andhisfacestiffened。