Familiar with horses?

Yes. But not too familiar.

Good. We understand each other. Most of the Turkey Creek preserve can be patrolled by jeep but some will require a horse. Extremely rugged terrain. You’d have eight or nine horses in your care, about forty miles of fencing to keep up, three windmills, two alfalfa fields and a small citrus orchard to look after. From time to time you’d be expected to give the grand dames of our organization a tour of the premises—and they’d be very disappointed, I might add, if our caretaker failed to produce a few live deer, javelina, coatimundi, a bobcat or two. Keep that in mind. But of course the difficult part of the job involves public relations with the local citizenry. Have you ever confronted a group of drunken pig hunters, Mr. Lightcap, on the opening day of javelina season?

No sir.

Demanding access over private property to public lands?

No.

How do you think you would handle such a situation?

Henry paused for thought. Thought seemed appropriate here. Inwardly he decided, I’d have Lacey with his steel crossbow and Hooligan with a light machine gun enfilading from the shrubbery. Aloud he said, I’d treat them with tact and delicacy, sir, but politely forbid access.

Suppose they offered violence?

I would honor the offer.

A pause. Harlow considered that remark, savoring its facetious ambiguity, then said, This could be dangerous work, Mr. Lightcap, at least for the first few years or until our legal rights are respected.

Yessir. Well, it sounds like interesting work to me. I’m ready to try something different.

You sure?

You only live once.

True; a comforting thought. A pause. Now as to emolument, Mr. Lightcap, we could offer something in the neighborhood of, say, twelve thousand per annum?

Henry looked thoughtfully at his cigar.

Plus expenses, of course: fuel for vehicles and horses, fencing and equipment repair. Living quarters provided, including utility bills. Not a bad deal. The organization has a group medical-insurance plan and a pension plan. I’m sure our wildlife caretaker would be included in both.

What kind of pension? A widow’s pension?

Disability, retirement or death. Whichever comes first.

I’d need a little extra help during hunting season.

Certainly. That would come under annual operating expenses.

Henry paused for reflection while Harlow continued his study of Henry’s physiognomy. I’ll take the job, Henry said.

Mr. Harlow lowered his feet from the desk and rose gracefully from his chair. He extended his right hand. Good-bye, Mr. Lightcap. We’re not taking employment applications yet actually, not formally I mean, but if you will leave your name and address with my secretary out front…

Yessir. They shook. Henry departed, satisfied. He felt he had made his point.

He was correct. In early September came the letter on official Lovers of Fur Bearers stationery offering Henry H. Lightcap, Esq., the position of “wildlife warden” at the newly established Emily Ives Bancroft Sanctuary for Fur-Bearing Quadrupeds. Prompt reply requested. Signed, Caroline Currier Mills, Executive Director, Washington, D.C. Among the trustees listed on the letterhead was Joseph S. Harlow, III, Tucson, Arizona.