In spite of the ranger’s pessimism, the fire did really prove to be over, and when the rangers themselves decided it was safe to leave the spot the boys turned back with them. Reluctantly they parted company with the rangers and slowly made their way toward the lodge.
“Gee, the fun was over too soon,” mourned Herb. “That fire was only a teaser.”
“I’d hate to think what it might have been, just the same, if the rangers hadn’t shown up on the spot,” said Bob, thoughtfully. “Suppose, for instance, the fire had started in a deserted part of the woodland where no one would have noticed it until it had gathered headway——”
“But someone would have noticed it,” Joe broke in eagerly. “That’s what the ranger service is for, especially the air patrol part of it.”
“Of course,” admitted Bob. “But even at that the chances are that it would have gathered considerable headway before even the airplanes caught on to the danger.”
“Too bad it didn’t,” returned Herb flippantly. “Then we’d have had that much more fun. I’d like to see a real fire before we go back to Clintonia.”
“I shouldn’t wonder,” said Bob, regarding his soot-blackened hands, “if one really big forest fire cured your liking for them. I reckon they’re not all fun. However,” he added, with a laugh, “I guess there’s not much danger of our being in on a regular blaze unless we start one ourselves.”
“But did you notice,” asked Jimmy, as they came within sight of the lodge, “how everybody else melted away when the rangers hove in view? The people around here certainly have some respect for those fellows, all right.”
“I see,” said Herb with a grin, “that Doughnuts has fully decided to be a forest ranger—when he grows up.”
“Huh,” grunted Jimmy, aggrieved. “Where do you get that stuff?”