it out."

He pulled strongly at his pipe.

"Forest Reserves are all right enough," he acknowledged, "and maybe some
day their theories will work out. But not now; not while taxes go on!"

III

One day, not over a week later, Bob working in the woods, noticed
California John picking his way through the new slashing. This was a
difficult matter, for the fresh-peeled logs and the debris of the tops
afforded few openings for the passage of a horse. The old man made it,
however, and finally emerged on solid ground, much in the fashion of one
climbing a bank after an uncertain ford. He caught sight of Bob.

"You fellows can change the face of the country beyant all belief,"
announced the old man, pushing back his hat. "You're worse than snow
that way. I ought to know this country pretty well, but when I get down
into one of your pesky slashings, I'm lost for a way out!"

Bob laughed, and exchanged a few commonplace remarks.

"If you can get off, you better come over our way," said California
John, as he gathered up his reins. "We're holding ranger
examinations--something new. You got to tell what you know these days
before you can work for Uncle Sam."

"What do you have to know?" asked Bob.

"Come over and find out."

Bob reflected.

"I believe I will," he decided. "There's nothing to keep me here."

Accordingly, early next morning he rode over to the Upper Camp. Outside,
near the creek, he came upon the deserted evidences of a gathering of
men. Bed rolls lay scattered under the trees, saddles had been thrown
over fallen trunks, bags of provisions hung from saplings, cooking
utensils flanked the smouldering remains of a fire which was, however,
surrounded by a scraped circle of earth after the careful fashion of the
mountains. Bob's eye, by now practised in the refinements of such
matters, ran over the various accoutrements thus spread abroad. He
estimated the number of their owners at about a score. The bedroll of
the cowman, the "turkey" of the lumber jack, the quilts of the
mountaineer, were all in evidence; as well as bedding plainly makeshift
in character, belonging to those who must have come from a distance. A
half-dozen horses dozed in an improvised fence-corner corral. As many
more were tied to trees. Saddles, buckboards, two-wheeled carts, and
even one top buggy represented the means of transportation.

Bob rode on through the gate to headquarters.. This he found deserted,
except for Amy Thor