ar out a heavy load of soil at each
traverse. This we would pile in the slight hollows, so that, sinking a few
feet through the rises and raised slightly above each depression, the
road-bed might run straight and level across the prairie. A group of
sinewy, dusty men waited about the line of flat cars loaded with rails
close behind, while a plume of black smoke curled aloft from the huge
locomotive in a dingy column against the blue of the sky. This, with the
cluster of tents and shanties, was all that broke the white grass-land's
empty monotony.

The surveyor, who was perhaps dustier than any, leaned against the
engine's buffer-frame close beside me, mopping his face, which was also
smeared with soot, and surveyed us complacently, for with our assistants
we formed, as far as outward appearances went, a workmanlike if somewhat
disreputable company. Water was scarce that season and too precious to
waste in superfluous washing, while we had little leisure to spare on even
much-needed repairs to our garments. Still, we were alert, hard and eager,
while after the preceding anxiety it was with improved spirits that we
found definite work before us, with, what was better still, definite pay
at the end of it.

"Well, they've finished the line posts; I guess you can start in," said
the surveyor. "You look as if you could keep those scoops from rusting.
Good luck go with you! Stir round and heave those rails down, boys!"

Then with a crack of whips we started, and it was with satisfaction that I
heard the trampling of hoofs bite into the sod and the bright steel edges
rip through the matted roots. Soft earth and tangled grasses filled the
iron scoop behind, the air vibrated with the strident clang of rails, and
the locomotive engineer performed an inspiriting solo upon his whistle,
while the rest of our party followed to finish the wake we left with their
shovels. Somewhat improved appliances are used in railroad building now,
but though it had limitations the scraper did excellent work in its day.
All went well and smoothly for at least a month, and our hearts grew
lighter every day, while each time the big locomotive came clattering up
we had another length of road-bed ready for the rails, and the surveyor
commented on our progress with frank approval. He also did so to some
purpose in his reports to Winnipeg, as subsequently transpired, while
occasionally, when we lounged languidly contented under the dew-damped
canvas at n