As I re-enter the mountain forest I am a reactionary. I would restore every hill-stream to its former beauty if I could. I would carry forward every sign, every symbol, of the border in order that the children of the future should not be deprived of any part of their nation's epic westward march.

I here make acknowledgment to the trail and the trail-makers. They have taught me much. I have lifted the latch-string of the lonely shack, and broken bread with the red hunter. I know the varied voices of the coyote, wizard of the mesa. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a silken cord, opalescent dawns and ruby sunsets. My camping-places return in the music of gold and amber streams. The hunter, the miner, the prospector, have been my companions and my tutors—and what they have given me I hold with jealous hand.

The high trail leads away to shadow-dappled pools. It enables me to overtake the things vanishing, to enter the deserted cabin, to bend to the rude fireplace and to blow again upon the embers, gray with ashes, till a flame leaps out and shadows of mournful beauty dance upon the wall.

I am glad that I was born early enough to hear the songs of the trailers and to bask in the light of their fires.

Transcriber's Note

Typographical errors corrected in the text:

Page 108 ranche changed to ranch

Page 109 penon changed to piñon

Page 171 to changed to do

Page 314 worthy changed to worth

Page 316 misnumbered section V changed to VI

Page 329 misnumbered section VI changed to VII

Page 331 jurisdication changed to jurisdiction

Page 338 misnumbered section VII changed to VIII

Page 358 misnumbered section VIII changed to IX

Page 362 Kaufman changed to Kauffman