“Both alive, but delirious. Doc Gitney has a man nurse to help him now.”
“Did Mr. Rutter leave any orders for me?” pressed Harry.
“No; Rutter is in charge of the actual field work only.”
“Who gives the main orders?”
“I do—-unless New York changes the plan.”
Tom hastily narrated what had taken place in Mr. Thurston’s tent the day before. Harry listened, his eyes growing larger as he heard.
“Tom! I’m mighty glad!” he cried delightedly. “You’re going to do the trick, too! You’re going to put the S.B. & L. through within the time allowed by the charter!”
“I’m going to do it or wear myself out,” replied Reade, with a glint of determination in his eyes. “But, Harry, the road isn’t going to go through on mere wind. We’ve got to work—-not talk! Come into the new headquarters’ tent. Throw the front of your shirt open, take a few deep breaths, tie down the safety valve and get ready to make the steam fly. I’m going over the maps and documents, the field notes, the reports and what not. I want you to help me untangle them and set all matters straight.”
For two hours the cub engineers worked as they had never toiled before. Then a horseman drew up before their tent.
“Telegram for Reade, acting chief engineer,” called the man from saddle. “The czar over at the cook house told me I’d find my man here.”