ands are overcome by merely filling in new sand
or loam, patiently, until at last the trap is blocked and a permanently
solid foundation is laid. There are many other ways of overcoming the
difficulty.

The method hit upon by Tom and Harry, after looking over the situation,
was one that was largely original with them.

It consisted of laying logs, of different lengths, from twelve to
eighteen feet, in a transverse net work filling in earth on this and
allowing the structure gradually to sink where the quicksand shifted or
caved. The sideway drift, at some points, was overcome by hollow steel
piles, driven in as firmly as might be, and then filled with cement from
the top. A line of such piles when imbedded in the ground, helps to make
an effective block to side drift.

At the outset a few feet of these steel piles were left exposed above
the surface, their gradual settling serving as a reliable index to the
evasive movements of the extensive quicksand underneath. At other points
wooden piles were driven in for the same purpose.

General Manager Ellsworth did not spend all his time in camp. He could
not do so, in fact, for he had many other pressing duties. However, he
ran over frequently, and always appeared satisfied.

"Of course it's too early to talk confidently, Reade," said Mr.
Ellsworth, one day when the work had been going on steadily for some
weeks, "but I believe you have the only right method. I have so reported
to our directors. You'll have disappointments, of course, but I hope
you'll encounter none that you can't overcome."

"I shan't crow until I've seen the test applied to the roadbed over
the Man-killer," Tom replied thoughtfully. "After I've seen that test
applied a couple of times then I'm ready to go before any board and
swear that the Man-killer has been tamed for all time."

"Speed the day!" replied Mr. Ellsworth, as he climbed into his private
car to return. "By the way, you haven't heard anything lately from Jim
Duff & Company?"

"Not a word," Reade replied. "I don't believe we're yet through with
Rough-house camp, however. They're waiting only until our suspicions are
allayed. Once in a while we lose one of our workmen to the enemy, and
then we have to discharge the poor fellow. Some of our former men have
gone away, but there are about thirty of them left in Paloma, and I
imagine that they're ready to be ugly when the chance comes. The agent
of the Colthwaite Company is still in Paloma.