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Updated: June 3, 2025
Hit it an' stick to it. All the little trail's leadin' into it needn't bother you." He swept his hand round to the west of the mountain. The direction did not tally with the idea I had gotten from Dick's letter. "I thought Penetier was on the north side of the mountains." "Who said so?" he asked, staring. "Don't I know this country? Take it from me."
In the sunny patches seedlings were sprouting, many little bushy pines were growing, and the saplings had sufficient room and light to prosper. I commented to Dick upon the difference between this part of Penetier and the hideous slash we had left. "There were a couple of Government markers went through here and marked the timber to be cut," said Dick. "Was the timber cut in the mill I saw?" "No.
Next I broke open a box of cartridges and loaded the Winchester. My revolver was already loaded, and hung on my belt. Remembering Dick's letters about the bears and mountain-lions in Penetier Forest, I got a good deal of comfort out of my weapons. Then I built a fire, and while my supper was cooking I scraped up a mass of pine-needles for a bed.
"Wal, I reckon," replied Hiram, tersely. "An' look thar, an' thar!" Far to the right and far to the left, over the green, swelling foot-hills, rose that rounded, changing line of blue cloud. "The slash! the slash! Buell's fired the slash!" cried Dick, as one suddenly awakened. "Penetier will go!" "Wal, I reckon. But thet's not the worst." "You mean " "Mebbe we can't get out.
Jim and the other rangers why, they don't know any more than I. It's a great thing, and I've queered my chance with the Government." "No, you haven't neither has Jim not if you'll be straight from now on. You can't keep faith with Buell. He tried to kidnap me. That lets you out. We'll spoil Buell's little deal and save Penetier. A letter to father will do it.
Thet's only a foothill or so of Penetier gone up in smoke. An' Buell's sawmill went, too. It's almost a sure thing thet Leslie an' old Bent got out safe, though they must be doin' some tall worryin' about you. I wonder how they feel about me an' Bud an' Bill? A little prematoore roastin' for us, eh? Wal, wal!" We went back to the camp. I lay down near the fire and fell asleep.
It seemed a strange thing for me to be trying to explain forestry to a forest ranger, but so it was. "Ken, it's all news to me. I've been on Penetier about a year, and I never heard a word of what you've been telling me. My duties have been the practical ones that any woodsman knows.
He eyed me coolly; in fact, he was as cool as if there were no fire on Penetier. But Bud was white and sick, and Herky flaming with excitement. "We hain't got a chance. Listen! Thet roar! She's hummin'." "It's runnin' up the draw. We don't stand no showdown in hyar. Grab a hoss now, an' we'll try to head acrost the ridge."
All this, however, added to my feeling of the bigness of Penetier. Dick was taciturn, and old Hiram, when I tried to engage him in conversation, cut me off with the remark that I would need my breath on the morrow. This somewhat offended me. So I made my bed and rolled into it. Not till I had lain quiet for a little did I realize that every bone and muscle felt utterly worn out.
If I had known what a climb it was I should not have attempted it, but I could not back out with the summit looming over me. It ran up to a ragged crag. Hot, exhausted, and out of breath, I at last got there. As I looked I shouted in surprise. It seemed that the whole of Penetier was under my feet. The green slope disappeared in murky clouds of smoke.
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