The trout, deliciously crisp, and some potatoes and batter-cakes made a meal that tempted even his faint appetite, and when the dishes were washed and the towels hung out to dry, deep night possessed even the high summit of stately Ptarmigan.
McFarlane then said: Ill just take a little turn to see that the horses are all right, and then I think wed better close in for the night.
When they were alone in the light of the fire, Wayland turned to Berrie: Im glad youre here. It must be awesome to camp alone in a wilderness; and yet, I suppose, I must learn to do it.
Yes, the ranger often has to camp alone, ride alone, and work alone for weeks at a time, she assured him. A good trailer dont mind a night trip any more than he does a day trip, or if he does he never admits it. Rain, snow, darkness, is all the same to him. Most of the boys are fifteen to forty miles from the post-office.
He smiled ruefully. I begin to have new doubts about this ranger business. Its a little more vigorous than I thought it was. Suppose a fellow breaks a leg on one of those high trails?
He mustnt! she hastened to say. He cant afford really to take reckless chances; but then father wont expect as much of you as he does of the old-stagers. Youll have plenty of time to get used to it.
I may be like the old mans cow and the green shavings, just as Im getting used to it Ill die.
She didnt laugh at this. You mustnt be rash; dont jump into any hard jobs for the present; let the other fellow do it.
But thats not very manly. If I go into the work I ought to be able to take my share of any task that turns up.
Youd better go slow, she argued. Wait till you get hardened to it. You need something over your shoulders now, she added; and rose and laid a blanket over him. Youre tired; youll take a chill if youre not careful.
Youre very considerate, he said, looking up at her gratefully. But it makes me feel like a child to think I need such care. If honestly trying, if going up against these hills and winds with Spartan courage will do me good, Im for it. Im resolved to show to you and your good father that I can learn to ride and pack and cut trail, and do all the rest of it theres some honor in qualifying as a forester, and Im going to do it.
Of course there isnt much in it for you. The pay, even of a full ranger, isnt much, after you count out his outlay for horses and saddles and their feed, and his own feed. It dont leave so very much of his ninety dollars a month.
Im not thinking of that, he retorted. If you had once seen a doctor shake his head over you, as I have, youd think just being here in this glorious spot, as I am to-night, would be compensation enough. Its a joy to be in the world, and a delight to have you for my teacher.
She was silent under the pleasure of his praise, and he went on: I know Im better, and, Im perfectly certain I can regain my strength. The very odor of these pines and the power of these winds will bring it back to me. See me now, and think how I looked when I came here six weeks ago.
She looked at him with fond agreement. You are better. When I saw you first I surely thought you were
I know what you thought and forget it, please ! Think of me as one who has touched mother earth again and is on the way to being made a giant. You cant imagine how marvelous, how life-giving all this is to me. It is poetry, it is prophecy, it is fulfilment. I am fully alive again.
McFarlane, upon his return, gave some advice relating to the care of horses. All this stock which is accustomed to a barn or a pasture will quit you, he warned. Watch your broncos. Put them on the outward side of your
camp when you bed down, and pitch your tent near the trail, then you will hear the brutes if they start back. Some men tie their stock all up; but I usually picket my saddle-horse and hobble the rest.
It was a delightful hour for schooling, and Wayland would have been content to sit there till morning listening; but the air bit, and at last the Supervisor asked: Have you made your bed? If you have, turn in. I shall get you out early to-morrow. As he saw the bed, he added: I see youve laid out a bed of boughs. That shows how Eastern you are. We dont do that out here. Its too cold in this climate, and its too much work. You want to hug the ground if its dry.
The weary youth went to his couch with a sense of timorous elation, for he had never before slept beneath the open sky. Over him the giant fir tall as a steeple dropped protecting shadow, and looking up he could see the firelight flickering on the wide-spread branches. His bed seemed to promise all the dreams and restful drowse which the books on outdoor life had described, and close by in her tiny little canvas house he could hear the girl in low-voiced conversation with her sire. All conditions seemed right for slumber, and yet slumber refused to come!
After the Supervisor had rolled himself in the blanket, long after all sounds had ceased in the tent, there still remained for the youth a score of manifold excitations to wakefulness. Down on the lake the muskrats and beavers were at their work. Nocturnal birds uttered uncanny, disturbing cries. Some animal with stealthy crackling tread was ranging the hillside, and the roar of the little fall, so far from lulling him to sleep as he had imagined it would stimulated his imagination till he could discern in it the beat of scurrying wings and the patter of pernicious padded feet. If I am appalled by the wilderness now, what would it seem to me were I alone! he whispered.