camp knew that Larry had saved
Neale's life. Then the loquacious Casey, intruding upon the cowboy's
reserve, got roundly cursed for his pains.

"G'wan out among thim Sooz Injuns an' be a dead hero, thin," retorted
Casey, as the cowboy stalked off to be alone in the gloom. Evidently
Casey was disappointed not to get another cursing, for he turned to his
comrade, McDermott, an axman. "Say, Mac, phwot do you make of cowboys?"

"I tell ye, Pat, I make of thim thet you'll be full of bulletholes
before this railroad's built."

"Thin, b'gosh, I'll hould drink fer a long time yit," replied Casey.

Later General Lodge visited Neale and received the drawings and figures
that made plain solution of what had been a formidable problem.

"It was easy, once I landed under that bulge of cliff," said Neale.
"There's a slope of about forty-five degrees--not all rock. And four
miles up the gorge peters out. We can cross. I got to where I could see
the divide--and oh! there is where our troubles begin. The worst is all
to come."

"You've said it," replied the chief, soberly. "We can't follow the trail
and get the grade necessary. We've got to hunt up a pass."

"We'll find one," said Neale, hopefully.

"Neale, you're ambitious and you've the kind of spirit that never gives
up. I've watched your work from the start. You'll make a big position
for yourself with this railroad, if you only live through the building
of it."

"Oh, I'll live through it, all right," replied Neale, laughing. "I'm
like a cat--always on my feet--and have nine lives besides."

"You surely must! How far did you fall this time?"

"Not far. I landed in a tree, where my instrument stuck. But I crashed
down, and got a hard knock on the head. When Larry found me I was
unconscious and sliding for another precipice."

"That Texan seems attached to you."

"Well, if he wasn't before he will be now," said Neale, feelingly. "I'll
tell you, General, Larry's red-headed, a droll, lazy Southerner,
and he's made fun of by the men. But they don't understand him. They
certainly can't see how dangerous he is. Only I don't mean that. I do
mean that he's true like steel."

"Yes, he showed that. When the rope snapped I was sure he'd pull a gun
on us.... Neale, I would like to have had you and Larry Red King with me
through the war."

"Thank you, General Lodge.... But I like the prospects now."

"Neale, you're hungry for wild life?"

"Yes," replied Neale, simply.

"I s