After Jerry left, the work went on smoothly and the main dam grew higher and higher each day. Bob became proficient in the things Mr. Whitney gave him to do and by the time summer came near its close he felt that he had a good foundation of practical engineering on which to build the theoretical knowledge he would get at college.
The Mexican situation was unchanged. The United States had not gone into Mexico and the cattlemen still grumbled but did no more than that. The presence of the soldiers was enough to keep the laborers in check.
For several weeks before the date Bob had set as the time he must return to the East, he had received no letters from his father. Just as he was about to be a little worried, something occurred which settled all his fears.
Coming back from the job one night, he saw a strange yet familiar figure sitting on the porch of the Quarter-house. When he got near enough to see he started on the run towards the building.
“Dad! Dad! But I’m glad to see you!” he cried.
Unashamed, he put his arms around the man when he dashed up on the veranda and asked a multitude of questions.
Mr. Hazard had grown lonely for his son and had come out to see him on the job and to have the long ride homeward with him across the continent.
“You see, son, I’ll lose you again right after we get home.”
“Why?” Bob wanted to know.
“Because Rensselaer Polytech opens a few days after we get back.”