Saga of a Forest Ranger by Len Shoemaker

Author:Len Shoemaker [Shoemaker, Len]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781258191306
Google: VoAungEACAAJ
Publisher: Literary Licensing, LLC
Published: 2011-10-15T03:36:03+00:00

XVI—Advancement

THE GUNNISON FOREST RESERVE WAS TOPOGRAPHICALLY very different from the Battlement Mesa; at least, it seemed so to Ranger Bill Kreutzer as he proceeded on his inspection. He liked the country. For one thing, the terrain seemed somewhat similar to the Plum Creek, where he had begun his ranger service, and, for another, there was a greater variety of elevations. He hoped he could stay there, and thought that maybe he could, if the Forest Service appointed a new supervisor and left Dr. Craig on the Battlement Mesa Reserve.

As if conjured to appear and defend his interests, Supervisor Craig showed up ten days after Bill had established headquarters at Tin Cup, the town from which he was to administer affairs in the Taylor Park District, Strangely enough, it was on Bill’s birthday, October 3, when Craig arrived, and this time the date marked the beginning of the most bitter experience of Bill’s career.

Kreutzer had been estimating and marking timber on Willow Creek that day, preparatory for a timber sale to the West Gold Hill Mining Company. Wearily, he had returned to his cabin and was preparing supper when Craig, who had arrived earlier on the stage from St. Elmo, came in. In the semi-jestful tone he frequently used, he greeted Bill about like this: “Hello, Kreutzer, I see you’re still here. I expected to hear that the stockmen or miners had lynched you, but didn’t, so I thought I’d come over to see why.”

Bill laughed at him. “Yes, I’m still here, Craig, and to date I haven’t attended any necktie party,” he answered in the same tone Craig had used.

“From what I hear since I arrived, you might have to attend one most any time,” Craig said, and Bill caught a new note in the tones of his voice. It gave a sinister twist to the words he had spoken, and again Bill sensed the man’s antagonism, more strongly than ever before.

Craig then questioned Bill concerning T. D. Woodbury, a forest assistant who had been assigned recently to the Battlement Mesa and Gunnison Reserves. Craig said that he thought that he had been sent there by the Chief Forester’s office as a spotter and that he was trying to get their jobs.

Bill derided the idea, and Craig became abusive. Bill was tired and hungry, so he quietly ate his supper and let Craig go as far as he liked. He was despondent, too, for his mother had been ill, and he had intended to ask for leave to go home for Christmas, but with Craig in that mood, he feared that it was now impossible.

While he was still eating, a horseman rode up to the cabin door, shouted “Hello!” and asked if Kreutzer, the forest ranger, lived there.

Bill walked out and told the stranger that he was Kreutzer, and the man handed him a telegram. “I was ridin’ over from St. Elmo and the telegraph company asked me to bring this. I was glad enough to fetch it along, but I’m warnin’ you, it’s bad news,” the messenger said.

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