“Come in and see our camp,” said Charley, after the two had conversed for a moment.  And he led the way into the thicket.

The ranger followed, his practiced eye noting everything.  “You’ve made a good job of it,” he said with commendation, when he was at last seated in the tent.  “Nobody will ever find you here, unless you do something to betray your position.  You’ll have to be a little careful about fires.  I wouldn’t make any during the daytime.”

“We aren’t going to make any at all,” explained Charley.  “Mr. Marlin gave us an alcohol stove to cook with.”

“I don’t believe you need go so far as that.  Use your alcohol stove during the day.  At night nobody can see smoke, and if you screen the blaze, nobody will ever discover you.  It would be pretty dismal here at night without any light.  Let’s see if we can’t fix up a little fireplace that will help you out.”

He got a number of large, flat stones, which he set on edge, fashioning a high, square fireplace that opened toward the front.

“The stones will screen the flames on three sides, if you don’t build too big a fire,” he said, “and your tent will shut off the view on the fourth side.”

“Thank you,” said Charley.  “It will be a whole lot more cheerful with a fire.  We have a candle lantern that we intended to use, but a fellow just ought to have a fire when he’s in camp.”

As they began to discuss the work ahead of them, the ranger inquired, “What instructions did Mr. Marlin give you?”

“He said that we should keep our connection with the department secret,” said Charley, “and if possible, avoid meeting any one.  If we do bump into anybody, we are to pose as fishermen.  He said you would give us detailed instructions.”

“Very well.  First, about your outfit.  Have you any firearms?”

“A light, high-powered rifle and a pistol.”

“You can’t carry a rifle in the forest at this season without exciting suspicion.  Leave your rifle here.  Let me see your pistol?  Have you another?”

Charley handed him his pistol and said that he had no other.

“Then take this,” he said as he handed Charley his automatic.  “Let your chum carry your pistol.  I’ll get another at the office.  It isn’t likely that you will ever need to use a weapon in the forest.  I have been a ranger for years and have never yet drawn one, but I never travel without one.  You’ll meet some pretty tough characters in the forest and sometime your life may depend on having your pistol.  My advice is never to patrol without it.  But keep it out of sight.  Keep your badge out of sight, too.  And since you are supposed to be nothing more than fishermen, you’ll have to play the parts.  Carry your rods and catch a few fish each day during the season.”

“Where are we to patrol, and what hours are we to observe?”