without it.

It was surprising to see what a tall, broad-shouldered fellow Glen was
getting to be; and a single glance was sufficient to show what crossing
the Plains had done for him. His eyes had the clear look of perfect
health; his face, neck, and hands were as brown as sun and wind could
make them, while his hair had entirely recovered from its Kansas City
shearing, and was now plainly visible beneath the broad sombrero that
replaced the hat lost on the Spanish Peak. A heavy blue flannel shirt, a
pair of army trousers tucked into the tops of cowhide boots, a leather
belt supporting a revolver and a sheath-knife, and a silk handkerchief
loosely knotted about his neck, completed his costume.

"Billy" Brackett was dressed in a similar fashion, except that he still
clung fondly to the shiny cutaway coat in which he was introduced to the
reader, and to which he was deeply attached.

As they walked towards camp, he and Glen discussed the topic now
uppermost in their minds, namely, that of their future movements. Since
going to Santa Fe, Mr. Hobart had not rejoined them, though a note
received from him at Albuquerque promised that he would do so at
Isletta, to which place he ordered the line to be run. Now they had been
for two days at the Pueblo, but where they were to go next, or whether
they were to go any farther, they did not know, and were anxious to find
out. They had heard vague rumors that General Lyle was to return to the
States, and that all the plans of the expedition might be changed. Thus,
when Mr. Hobart galloped into camp just after supper that evening, he
was heartily welcomed.

"Where is Binney Gibbs?" was the first question asked.

"Promoted to be private secretary to General Elting, the new chief," was
the reply.

"Where is General Elting?"

"He is still in Santa Fe, but is going across with the other two
divisions by the Gila route."

"And where are we going?"

"Going to run a one-thousand-mile line from here to the Pacific Ocean,
in just the shortest time we can accomplish it."

"Good enough! Hurrah for the Pacific! Hurrah for California!" shouted
every member of the party but one. He was the leveller; and when Mr.
Hobart, after explaining the dangers and hardships of the trip before
them, said that anybody who did not care to encounter them would be
furnished with free transportation from that point back to the States,
this man decided to accept the offer.

Little, did Glen Eddy imagin