“Yes, we’d never know what struck us,” said the engineer carelessly, “but don’t worry about Ram, he knows what he’s doing.”
He spoke with the indifference of one who has handled high explosives for years, but the boys’ emotions were very different. They eyed Ram Chunda askance as he stumbled occasionally on a rock or hillock of earth.
In this manner they walked quite a distance back from the dam to a point where no tracks or workmen were visible.
“Right here is where, before long, we are going to build a wing dam to strengthen the main one,” explained the engineer.
“Then what’s the use of blowing it up?” asked Tubby stolidly. The fat boy was, to tell the truth, in a state of alarm over what was to come.
“Why, we want to see just what lies underneath before we start to dig a foundation, otherwise it would be so much wasted labor,” was the response.
There were already several test holes drilled in the ground, but the object of dynamiting was to loosen up the soil beneath to ascertain if there was any substratum of water.
“Ever see them shoot an oil well?” asked the engineer, as he peered about looking for a suitable hole to start on.
The boys shook their heads. They had heard of the operation but had never had an opportunity to witness such a proceeding.
“Now is your chance then,” said Mr. Raynor. “Ram,” calling to the Hindoo, “we try ’um this fellow number one shot.”