Then, too, his bed of boughs discovered unforeseen humps and knobs, and by the time he had adjusted himself to their discomfort, it became evident that his blankets were both too thin and too short. And the gelid air sweeping down from the high places submerged him as if with a flood of icy water. In vain he turned and twisted within his robes. No sooner were his shoulders covered and comfortable than his hip-bones began to ache. Later on the blood of his feet congealed, and in the effort to wrap them more closely, he uncovered his neck and shoulders. The frost became a wolf, the night an oppressor. I must have a different outfit, he decided. And then thinking that this was but early autumn, he added: What will it be a month later? He began to doubt his ability to measure up to the heroic standard of a forest patrol.
The firelight flickered low, and a prowling animal daringly sniffed about the camp, pawing at the castaway fragments of the evening meal. The youth was rigid with fear. Is it a bear? Shall I call the Supervisor? he asked himself.
He felt sadly unprotected, and wished McFarlane nearer at hand. It may be a lion, but probably it is only a coyote, or a porcupine, he concluded, and lay still for what seemed like hours waiting for the beast to gorge himself and go away.
He longed for morning with intense desire, and watched an amazingly luminous star which hung above the eastern cliff, hoping to see it pale and die in dawn light, but it did not; and the wind bit even sharper. His legs ached almost to the cramping-point, and his hip-bones protruded like knots on a log. I didnt know I had door-knobs on my hips, he remarked, with painful humor, and, looking down at his feet, he saw that a thick rime was gathering on his blanket. This sleeping out at night isnt what the books crack it up to be, he groaned again, drawing his feet up to the middle of his bed to warm them. Shall I resign to-morrow? No, Ill stay with it; but Ill have more clothing. Ill have blankets six inches thick. Heaps of blankets the fleecy kind Ill have an air-mattress. His mind luxuriated in these details till he fell into an uneasy drowse.
VI STORM-BOUND
All out! All out! Daylight down the creek!He drew on his shoes and, stiff and shivering, stood about in helpless misery, while McFarlane kicked the scattered, charred logs together, and fanned the embers into a blaze with his hat. It was heartening to see the flames leap up, flinging wide their gorgeous banners of heat and light, and in their glow the tenderfoot ranger rapidly
recovered his courage, though his teeth still chattered and the forest was dark.
How did you sleep? asked the Supervisor.
First rate at least during the latter part of the night, Wayland briskly lied.
Thats good. I was afraid that Adirondack bed of yours might let the white wolf in.
My blankets did seem a trifle thin, confessed Norcross.
It dont pay to sleep cold, the Supervisor went on. A man wants to wake up refreshed, not tired out with fighting the night wind and frost. I always carry a good bed.
It was instructive to see how quietly and methodically the old mountaineer went about his task of getting the breakfast. First he cut and laid a couple of eight-inch logs on either side of the fire, so that the wind drew through them properly, then placing his dutch-oven cover on the fire, he laid the bottom part where the flames touched it. Next he filled his coffee-pot with water, and set it on the coals. From his pannier he took his dishes and the flour and salt and pepper, arranging them all within reach, and at last laid some slices of bacon in the skillet.
At this stage of the work a smothered cry, half yawn, half complaint, came from the tent. Oh, hum! Is it morning? inquired Berrie.
Morning! replied her father. Its going toward noon. You get up or youll have no breakfast.
Thereupon Wayland called: Can I get you anything, Miss Berrie? Would you like some warm water?
What for? interposed McFarlane, before the girl could reply.
To bathe in, replied the youth.
To bathe in! If a daughter of mine should ask for warm water to wash with Id throw her in the creek.
Berrie chuckled. Sometimes I think daddy has no feeling for me. I reckon he thinks Im a boy.
Hot water is debilitating, and very bad for the complexion, retorted her father. Ice-cold water is what you need. And if you dont get out o there in five minutes Ill dowse you with a dipperful.
This reminded Wayland that he had not yet made his own toilet, and, seizing soap, towel, and brushes, he hurried away down to the beach where he came face to face with the dawn. The splendor of it smote him full in the eyes. From the waveless surface of the water a spectral mist was rising, a light veil, through which the stupendous cliffs loomed three thousand feet in height, darkly shadowed, dim and far. The willows along the western marge burned as if dipped in liquid gold, and on the lofty crags the suns coming created keen-edged shadows, violet as ink. Truly this forestry business was not so bad after all. It had its compensations.