340 NATURE STUDY REVIEW 



THE ELM. 



Perhaps on some far distant shore 

 I grew beside your childhood door. 



THE SYCAMORE. 



Of valued wood I cannot boast 

 But there are some who love me most; 

 My gold-green branches in their pride 

 So many happy bird homes hide, 

 (when Sycamore finishes speaking the Forester begins to move.) 



GUARDIAN SPIRIT. 

 The spell is broken! The Forester awakes! 

 (Guardian Spirit, all the trees including Eucalyptus, Walnut 

 and Cedar who are following Sycamore disappear quietly and 

 rapidly as if fading away.) 



FORESTER, 

 (suddenly rising as if with effort breaking bonds and lifting 

 a weight) Why, I've been asleep! What a remarkable dream! 

 I thought I was tied down and being covered up with branches, 

 (he smells the air) Good Heavens! I believe I smell smoke — 

 I ought to be in my watch-tower, (he hurries out.) 



(Curtain) 



ACT III. THE FOREST FIRE. 



Scene, a rocky point of the mountain on which the Forester has 

 his lookout platform. The Forester is just ascending this tower. 

 A Ranger comes up excitedly. The telephone station is slightly 

 distant from the tower. 



RANGER. 



I couldn't get you over the phone — it must not be working 

 so I came to find you. There's a big smoke down on Bear Creek. 



FORESTER. 

 Which side? 



RANGER. 



South side, near Great Forks. Jim says there was a party' 

 of campers in there this morning. 



FORESTER. 

 When did you sight it? 



