When Charley had repeated his message according to promise, he flashed out the call signal for the Wireless Patrol and promptly got a reply from Henry.  Through Henry he made his nightly report to the forester, and through the forester sent his congratulations to Mrs. Morton on the success of her initial attempt at radio communication, and inquired after the sick ranger.  So both Charley and his new friend were happy that night.

It was quite evident to Charley, when he called Mrs. Morton on the following night, that she must have spent much of the day practicing at her key; for the certainty and assurance with which she transmitted her brief message this time could have come only from hours of practice.  Now, in addition to acknowledging Charley’s call, she added the simple message, “Jim is improving.”  Charley did not guess that she had practiced that short message for an hour.  Even if he had, he would have been none the less pleased; for practice was the very thing needed to make her an efficient operator.  By the time three weeks had elapsed, Mrs. Morton could communicate with Charley readily.  Also her husband was improving every day, though it would still be weeks before he could resume his duties.  Altogether, Charley’s cup of happiness seemed full to overflowing.

There was still more happiness in store for him, however,—­a happiness he had not dared to hope for.  One day Mr. Marlin appeared at Charley’s camp just at dusk.  Charley was about to cook his supper.  At once he doubled the portions of food to be cooked, and while he worked over his fire, he reported to his superior on the condition of the forest under his charge.  By this time Charley knew every inch of it intimately.  He had just completed an inspection, lasting several days, of the entire area.  He was enthusiastic about his work and full of plans for the future.  Practically all his suggestions were good, and the forester smiled and smiled with approval, as he sat back in the shadow, listening.

When Charley had completed his statement, the forester said, “Charley, your report is very satisfactory, and I am especially pleased with the way you comprehend the needs of the situation and plan for improvements.  I approve of practically all your suggestions.  How would you like to go ahead and work them out?”

“They ought to be done,” said Charley impetuously.  Then he stopped.  “I mean,” he corrected himself, “that it seems to me they ought to be.  But to do most of them would require a ranger with a crew of men.”

“But you haven’t answered my question,” said the forester with a kindly smile.

Charley looked puzzled.  “I told you I think that they ought to be done.”

“Still you haven’t answered my question.”

Charley stopped a moment to try to recall exactly what the forester had said.  Then he went on.  “Of course, I should like to work them out, for they ought to be done.  But I also told you it would need a ranger and a crew of men.  I couldn’t do all those things alone.”