At length, one day when the birches and poplars in the bluff unfolded their fresh leaves, a locomotive and an observation car arrived, and three or four gentlemen got down. Kit stopped the noisy pump that fed the tank and went to meet the party. Although he must reckon on expert criticism he was cool. The job was good, but if the others were not satisfied it would not bother him.
Wheeler presented him to a railroad engineer, and the party walked about the tank and climbed to the top. Kit had pumped in the full load, but all the joints were tight and the steel was dry and clean. After a time the party returned to the open gallery at the back of the car and the railroad engineer said to Kit:
“I like your tank and reckon she will carry her load, but we have agreed about some alterations of which your chief will give you particulars. Although your construction’s first-class, we see a better plan to filter out the salts. Will you take a smoke?”
He pulled out some cigarettes and when Kit thanked him went into the car. Kit knew he had got a compliment from a famous man. Wheeler and another stopped, and Kit remarked his twinkle.
“You have put it across, young fellow! To get a cigar from Jameson is like getting a riband for your coat. He acknowledges you Companion in the Knights of the Track.”
“I suppose I ought to’ be flattered, but I imagined in Canada you had not much use for ribands,” Kit rejoined, and turned to the other gentleman. “All I really want, sir, is the company’s approval.”
“You’re modest,” remarked the bridge-works manager. “There was a sort of agreement that if you put up the tank we would put up your pay, and if you undertake to build the row the agreement stands. The only stipulation is, you must stay for twelve months, after which we’ll talk about things again. The railroad engineers, however, have modified the plans.”
Wheeler gave Kit some drawings, and after a few minutes he said:
“I’m keen to stay, sir, and the alterations ought not to bother us. All the same you must use heavier columns and wider plates.”
“That is so. We must wait for the material. The molders strike has stopped the foundries, and the rolling mills cannot supply the plates for some time. In fact, we may be held up for five or six weeks.”