opposite direction, he had seen nothing of the extension grade west of
Argentine. Hence the enforced journey to Carbonate only anticipated an
inspection trip which he had intended to make as soon as he had seated
Adams firmly in the track-laying saddle.

Not to miss his opportunity, at the first curve beyond Argentine he
passed his cigar-case to Biggin and asked permission to ride on the
rear platform of the day-coach for inspection purposes.

"Say, pardner, what do you take me fer, anyhow?" was the reproachful
rejoinder.

"For a gentleman in disguise," said Winton promptly.

"Sim'larly, I do you; savvy? You tell me you ain't goin' to stampede,
and you ride anywhere you blame please. See? This here C. G. R. outfit
ain't got no surcingle on me."

Winton smiled.

"I haven't any notion of stampeding. As it happens, I'm only a day
ahead of time. I should have made this run to-morrow of my own accord
to have a look at the extension grade. You will find me on the rear
platform when you want me."

"Good enough," was the reply; and Winton went to his post of
observation.

Greatly to his satisfaction, he found that the trip over the C. G. R.
answered every purpose of a preliminary inspection of the Utah grade