“Can you tell us now, Mr. Blaisdell, what we’re to do today?” Reade inquired eagerly.
“See those transits?” inquired Blaisdell, pointing to two of the telescoped and compassed instruments used by surveyors in running courses. “One for each of you. Take your choice. You’ll go out today under charge of Jack Rutter. Of course it will be a little bit slow to you the first two or three days, but between you, I hope to see you do more than Rutter could do alone. You’ll each have two chainmen. Rutter will give you blank form books for your field notes. He’ll work back and forth between the two of you, seeing that you each do your work right. Boys, don’t make any mistakes today, will you, So much depends, you know, upon the way you start in at a new job.”
“We’ll do the best that’s in us,” breathed Tom ardently.
“Engineer Rutter,” called Blaisdell, “your two assistants are ready. Get your two sets of chainmen and make a flying start.”
Animated by the spirit of activity that pervaded the camp, Tom and Harry ran to select their instruments, while Rutter hastened after his chainmen.
Bad Pete had not appeared at either mess this morning. He had small need to, for, in the still watches of the night, he had burglarized the cook’s stores so successfully that not even that argus-eyed individual had noticed the loss.
Having breakfasted heartily in a deep thicket, Pete now looked down over the camp, his eyes twinkling in an evil way.
“I’ll get bounced out of mess on account of two pasty-faced tenderfeet like those boys, will I?” Pete grumbled to himself. “Before this morning is over I reckon I’ll have all accounts squared with the tenderfeet!”
CHAPTER IV
“TRYING OUT” THE GRIDLEY BOYS
The chainmen picked up the transits, carrying also the chains and rods. Rutter led the way, Tom and Harry keeping on either side of him, except when the rough mountain trail narrowed. Then they were obliged to walk at his heels.