"Hippy, I do not believe that Mr. Chatworth fully understands who and what we are," interjected Grace. "We take such trips as this one every summer, sir, and we are not greenhorns in the forest. We realize the danger of fire to the forests as fully as well as you do. For your information, I will merely say that we were in no wise to blame for the fire at Section Forty-three. A tree fell over and scattered the embers of our campfire, thus starting the forest fire and--" "All the more reason why you're not fit to be in the woods," answered the ranger roughly. "Cut the rough talk!" admonished Lieutenant Wingate severely. "Had it not been for us that blaze would have swept the whole state. We fought it all night and until nearly noon next day. Stop growling! If you keep on growling the bear and my bull pup will think you are an animal and sail into you for keeps." "As I was about to say," reminded Grace, "my husband is a forester and is in the North Woods now on official business. He was with us when the fire occurred, and will join us further along in a few weeks." "Eh? What's his name?" demanded the ranger sharply, eyeing Grace with new interest in his eyes. "Tom Gray," answered Grace. "Is he the fellow that's cruising the timber up here for the state?" "Yes." "Humph! Why didn't you say so before?" "I presume because you did not ask me," returned Grace demurely. "Now that you understand, won't you please sit down and have breakfast with us? We have plenty and really shall be glad to have you." "Well, I reckon I might as well," decided the ranger, striding over and tying his horse to a sapling. Hippy introduced him to the members of the Overland party, the ranger bowing awkwardly, but with the quiet dignity so characteristic of those who have learned their lesson from the heart of nature herself. "Sorry, folks, that I had to be up a tree with you, but we must do our duty and protect this forest. There are not many of 'em left in these United States, and what there is, are going fast. I'll have a snack with you." "Peace has been declared," murmured Emma. "Keep that menagerie away! I don't like bears nosing around me any more'n I do wolves." "Wolves!" exclaimed Nora. "We heard one last night." "There are lots of 'em up here and they kill the game. The state offers a bounty of seven dollars and a half for every one killed--every full-grown critter; ten dollars for cubs." "You say the state desires to get rid of them?" questioned Emma. "All states do. They're varmints," answered the ranger. "Why don't they try dynamite?" asked Emma. "Perhaps the wolves might eat it and go off." "Call the bear," suggested Hippy after a brief silence. The Overland Riders shouted, and the forest ranger grinned, the bull pup joining in the merriment by barking and dashing about the camp, taking a gentle nip at Henry's flank as he passed that none too good-natured beast.