c/o Contract Camp, Grafton, Illinois.
Sir: Your report received. Consider yourself and Burford as jointly in command till further orders. I shall reach camp on route inspection by 26th inst. Kindly report conditions daily by wire.
Breckenridge."
"So we're made jointly responsible. Put in charge by Breckenridge. By Breck the Great, his very self. H'm-m." Burford looked out at the crowded boats, the muddy, half-built levee, stretching far as eye could see; the night shift of laborers, eighty strong, shuffling aboard the quarter-boat for their hot supper; the massed, powerful machinery, stretching its black funnels and cranes against the red evening sky. "So we're the two Grand Panjandrums on this job. Responsible for excavation that means prosperity or ruin for half the farmers in the district, according as we do or don't finish those laterals before the June rise; responsible for a pay-roll that runs over four hundred dollars a day; responsible for a time-lock contract that will cost our company five hundred dollars forfeit money a day for every day that we run over our time limit. Well, Hallowell?"
"It strikes me," said Rod, very briefly, "that it's up to us."
"Yes, it is up to us. But if we don't make good——"
"Don't let that worry you." Rod's jaw set, steel. "Don't give that a thought. We'll make good."
CHAPTER VI
THE CONTRACT'S RECEIVING DAY
"Hello, Sis!" It was Roderick's voice over the telephone. "How are you feeling this fine, muggy morning?"