Charley looked vastly perplexed, but said nothing. He didn't want to bother the forester, but how he was to live without food he could not imagine. Evidently his face must have mirrored his thoughts, for the forester, after studying Charley's countenance, burst into a laugh. "Charley," he said, "it's clear that you don't pay much attention to your Bible." "What do you mean?" "Why, don't you recall that we are admonished to take no thought for the morrow, as to what we shall eat, and so on? Here you are worrying over a little matter like food. Don't you have any ravens out in these mountains to bring you grub if you get hungry?" "It isn't any laughing matter," replied Charley. "What am I going to do? I haven't an ounce of food left in the cabin." The forester's eyes sparkled. "Shall we tell him what he's to do, Commissioner?" he asked. The Chief Forester turned toward them with a smile. "I guess you had better. It would be a shame to torment this young man after what he has accomplished." "Very well, then. Listen, Charley. Here are your orders. To begin with, Jim is now on deck again and you are relieved of your position as temporary ranger." Charley tried hard to choke back the lump that came into his throat. Evidently his face betrayed his feelings. "Look at him, Commissioner," said the forester. "I believe he's going to pout." Charley bit his lip and tried to smile. "In the second place," continued the forester, "you are to remove your belongings from this post and oversee the cutting of the lumber operation." The smile that now came to Charley's face was not forced. "In the third place," the forester went on, "you are hereby appointed a ranger in the Pennsylvania Forest Service to succeed one George Lumley." "Oh! Mr. Marlin," cried Charley, "you don't mean it honestly?" "I sure do. And there is nothing temporary about your appointment. You are a full-fledged ranger. You have earned the place and I congratulate you heartily on having won it." He held out his hand and clasped Charley's warmly. "Now, that is all I have to say to you," concluded the forester, "but I think the Commissioner wants to speak a few words with you." Charley turned to the Chief Forester and stood expectant. "Mr. Marlin tells me that it is your ambition to become a forester," said the Commissioner. "It is," replied Charley. "He also tells me that you are hindered by lack of funds and some family obligations and that you cannot see your way clear to take the regular course of studies at the state forestry academy and so achieve your ambition." "That is true, sir," said Charley. "There is nothing I would rather do than become a forester if only it were possible. I love the forest." "The way you have striven to protect it is proof enough of that. How would you like to become a forester without attending Mont Alto?" "Oh! Sir, if there is any way it could be done, I would work until I dropped to accomplish it."