erior than when they left Brimfield.

Glen could not help noting this with a feeling of secret satisfaction;
but, as they rode towards camp together, and Binney described his
winter's experiences, Glen began to regard him with vastly increased
respect. He thought he had studied hard, and done well to master the
mysteries of adjusting and running a level, perfecting himself as a
rodman, and learning to plot profile; but his knowledge appeared
insignificant as compared with that which Binney had picked up and
stored away. Not only had he learned to speak Spanish fluently, but he
had become enough of a geologist to talk understandingly of coal-seams
and ore-beds. He had the whole history of the country through which he
had passed, from the date of its Spanish discovery, at his tongue's end.
He spoke familiarly of the notable men to whom, at General Elting's
dictation, he had written letters, and altogether he appeared to be a
self-possessed, well-informed young man of the world.

Poor Glen was beginning to feel very boyish and quite abashed in the
presence of so much wisdom, and to wonder if he had not been wasting his
opportunities on this trip as he had those of school. His thoughts were
inclining towards a decidedly unpleasant turn, when they were suddenly
set right again by Binney, who exclaimed, "But, I say, old man, what a
fine thing you fellows have done this winter! The general declares that
you have made one of the most notable surveys on record; and it's a
thing every one of you ought to be proud of. You should have heard him
congratulate Mr. Hobart. He asked at once about you, too, and wants to
see you as soon as you get in. He seems to take a great interest in you,
and has spoken of you several times. I expect, if you choose to keep on
in this business, you can always be sure of a job through him. He seems
to think it queer that you should be a year older than I am; but I told
him it was certainly so, because I knew just when your birthday came."

Glen was on the point of saying that, if Binney knew that, it was more
than he did, but something thing kept him silent. He hated to
acknowledge that he knew nothing of his real birthday, nor how old he
really was, but he wondered if he could truly be a year older than this
wise young secretary.

At this point the conversation was interrupted by their arrival at camp,
and by General Elting stepping from his tent to give Glen a hearty
handshake as he exclaimed,

"