human
I guess you're wrong, said Horace.
gpt
There isn't any Government reserve north of Timagami.
human
Made last fall, the stranger retorted.
gpt
I ought to know. I'm one of the rangers. We've got a camp up the river, and we've been here all winter to keep out hunters and lumbermen.
human
Prospecting's allowed, isn't it?
gpt
Prospect all ye want to, but ye can't stake no claims.
human
Where's the limit of this reserve?
gpt
Ten miles down the river from here. Ye'll have to be down below there by to-morrow night. Or, if ye want to stay, ye'll have to give up your guns. No guns allowed here.
human
I suppose you've got papers to show your authority?
gpt
pointing to the fresh hide,
human
It was for our own food. You can kill deer for necessary supplies.
gpt
Not on this ground. Now ye can do as ye like--give up your guns till ye 're ready to leave, or get out right away. I've warned ye.
human
If you can show us that you're really a Government ranger, we'll go, Horace said.
gpt
But I know the Commissioner of Crown Lands; I saw him before we started, and I didn't hear of any new reserve being made. I don't believe in you or your reserve, and we'll stay where we are till you show us the proof of your authority.
human
I'll show you _this_!
gpt
You can't bluff us. We've got guns, too, if it comes to that!
human
I've give ye fair warning, repeated the man.
gpt
Ye'll find it mighty hard to buck agin the Gover'ment, and ye'll be sorry if ye try it. Ye'll see me again.
human
What do you make of it? Peter asked.
gpt
Is he a ranger--or a prospector?
human
They don't hire that kind of man for Government rangers, replied Horace.
gpt
And I'm certain there's no forest reserve here. Why, there's no timber worth preserving. He's a hunter or a prospector, and from his looks he's evidently been in the woods all winter, as he said. Perhaps he belongs to a party of prospectors who found a good thing last fall, and got snowed in before they could get out.
human
Hunters wouldn't be so anxious to drive us away, said Fred.
gpt
They must be prospectors. Suppose they've found the diamond fields!
human
One thing's certain, said Horace,