“I guess things must be all right,” Damon tossed the paper down, “or Perry wouldn’t be up here at this time. That’s a big banker from Chicago, or Kansas City, that he’s got at his place now. I’m glad we’ve got money in the bank, my sweet.” Damon left the next morning for a survey of the burned-over area on the northeast slope. One gain only had been accomplished; the dead wood and rubbish, the worst sort of fire trap, had been completely burned off, leaving the upper slope free for a fresh start. The lower slope was denuded. Centuries later it might again accumulate enough soil to sustain a forest growth. Now, however, there was not a sprig left to keep the soil from washing down into the desert. James’s canyon would be dry except for flood waters. The ranchman had written Damon for information on how to make application for a farming homestead under the new dam project. It was a distressing trip over the mountains. The fire, Damon discovered, had smoldered its way, worm-like, through the humus for days. It was not surprising that the boys had not seen it. It had taken two days to travel a half mile, and in one hour after the wind rose it had swept through eight miles. So swiftly had one part burned, leaping from the crown of one tree to another at forty to fifty feet from the ground, that the growth beneath had merely shriveled, and with rain would spring up again from the roots. Still, it was a depressing sight, and Damon was glad to get back to the upper Amarillo and the untouched woods again. It was nine o’clock when he lifted a weary leg from the saddle and stepped off on to the cabin porch. Dawn met him, took Little Sorrel’s bridle, unsaddled and turned her loose, then hurried to place Damon’s dinner before him. Cup after cup of steaming coffee he drank in contented silence, then pushed back his chair and held out his arms. Dawn settled down, disposing her long legs over the arm of the chair. She had stayed at the cabin all day, working about the place. Jack had come over, but hadn’t been there more than an hour when his folks had sent for him. He said he would phone her back, but she hadn’t heard from him, and just about an hour ago one of the Bentys had come by and said that the whole crowd had left. Gone back to town on the evening train. Mr. Perry had been called on business. Dawn handed Damon the morning paper. Jim Benty had brought it up to them.