tramping miles and working like a steam engine all day is not
to be thought of for you today. Tomorrow you'll go out with the
rest."

Tom sighed. True, he did not feel up to the mark, and was eating
a very light breakfast. Still he chafed at the thought of inaction
for a whole day.

"The chief wouldn't order you to stay in," remarked Blaisdell,
after Mr. Thurston had gone, "unless he knew that to be the best
thing for you."

So, after the engineers, their chainmen and rodmen had left camp
Tom wandered about disconsolately. He tried to talk to the cook,
but Jake and his helper were both rushed in getting the meal that
was to be taken out over the trail by burro train.

"Lonely, Reade?" called the chief from his tent.

"Yes, sir," Tom nodded. "I wish I had something to do."

"Perhaps I can find work for you in here. Come in."

Tom entered eagerly. Mr. Thurston was seated at the large table,
a mass of maps and field notes before him.

"How are you on drawing, Reade?" queried his chief.

"Poor, sir."