k we have leaders, but we have only
interpreters. When the time is ripe to change things, then the spirit of
the people rises to forbid old practices."

"That's it," said Bob; "I just couldn't get at it. Well, the way I feel
about it is that when all these new methods and principles have become
well known, then we can call a halt with some authority. You can't
condemn a man for doing his best, can you?"

The girl, at a loss, flushed, and almost crying, looked at them all
helplessly.

"But----" she cried.

"I believe it will all come about in time," said Thorne. "There's sure
to come a time when it will not be too much off balance to _require_
private firms to do things according to our methods. Then it will pay to
log the government forests on an extensive scale; and private forests
will have to come to our way of doing things."

"What's the use of all our fights and strivings?" asked Amy; "what's the
use of our preaching decent woods work if it can't be carried out?"

"It's educational," explained Thorne. "It starts people thinking, so
that when the time comes they'll be ready."

"Furthermore," put in Bob, "it fixes it so these young fellows who will
then be in charge of private operations will have no earthly excuse to
look at it wrong, or do it wrong."

"It will then be the difference between their acting according to
general ideas or against them," agreed Thorne.

"Never lick a pup for chasin' rabbits until yore ready to teach him to
chase deer," put in California John.

VIII

Bob found it much more difficult to approach Welton. When he did, he had
to contend with the older man's absolute disbelief in what he was
saying. Welton sat down on a stump and considered Bob with a humorous
twinkle.

"Want to quit the lumber business!" he echoed Bob's first statement.
"What for?"

"I don't think I'm cut out for it."

"No? Well, then, I never saw anybody that was. You don't happen to need
no more money?"

"Lord, no!"

"Of course, you know you'll have pretty good prospects here----" stated
Welton tentatively.

"I understand that; but the work doesn't satisfy me, somehow: I'm
through with it."

"Getting restless," surmised Welton. "What you need is a vacation. I
forgot we kept you at it pretty close all last winter. Take a couple
weeks off and make a trip in back somewheres."

Bob shook his head.

"It isn't that; I'm sorry. I'm just through with this. I couldn't keep
on at it and do good wor