As the hollow was carpeted with thick grass our horses had not strayed. I
noticed that here the larger trees had been cut, and the forest resembled a
fine park. In the sunny patches seedlings were sprouting, many little bushy
pines were growing, and the saplings had sufficient room and light to
prosper. I commented to Dick upon the difference between this part of
Penetier and the hideous slash we had left.

"There were a couple of Government markers went through here and marked the
timber to be cut," said Dick.

"Was the timber cut in the mill I saw?"

"No. Buell's just run up that mill. The old one is out here a ways, nearer
Holston."

"Is it possible, Dick, that any of those loggers back there don't know the
Government is being defrauded?"

"Ken, hardly any of them know it, and they wouldn't care if they did. You
see, this forest-preserve business is new out here. Formerly the lumbermen
bought so much land and cut over it--skinned it. Two years ago, when the
National Forests were laid out, the lumbering men--that is, the loggers,
sawmill hands, and so on--found they did not get as much employment as
formerly. So generally they're sore on the National Forest idea."

"But, Dick, if they understand the idea of forestry they'd never oppose
it."

"Maybe. I don't understand it too well myself. I can fight fire--that's my