ght," returned Dave. "We didn't come down to fight the
Mexicans. We came down to become civil engineers."

"Oh, I don't think you'll run into any fighting," answered William
Jarvey. "But, of course, a good many of those greasers are very
treacherous and there is no telling what they will do. They shoot down
and rob anybody they meet in their own country, and then, when there
is nothing in sight on that side of the river, they watch their chance
and come over on this side. Of course, United States soldiers are on
the lookout for them; so they don't dare to make their raids very
public."

It developed that William Jarvey had been sent up to Denison on
business for the construction company. He carried with him a heavy
valise, and also a large roll of blue-prints.

"I should have been back to San Antonio yesterday," he exclaimed. "But
I was delayed in Denison. I suppose Perry Watson will be as mad as a
hornet when I get back because I didn't make it as quick as he
expected. He expects an awful lot from those working under him."

To this neither of the youths replied. They had noticed that William
Jarvey smoked a great deal and that his breath smelled strongly of
liquor, and they concluded that he was not a man who would be likely
to kill himself with overwork.

"From what Jarvey has told us of Mr. Watson I am inclined to think the
superintendent is a hustling sort of fellow," remarked Dave, when he
and Roger were left alone. "And, being that kind of man, he probably
can't stand for a fellow who wants to loaf around and drink and
smoke."

"I guess you've sized it up about right, Dave," answered the senator's
son. "In these days the watchword seems to be 'keep moving'; and a
fellow has got to 'get there' if he wants to hold down his job."

At last the train rolled into the city of San Antonio. Before this
place was reached William Jarvey had met a number of other men who
had boarded the train at a station some miles away; and he was so
interested in what the newcomers had to tell him that he seemed to
forget completely the presence of Dave and Roger.

"And I'd just as lief he would forget us," said our hero to his chum.
"I'd rather go to Mr. Watson alone than have that man introduce us."

"Exactly the way I feel about it," returned the senator's son. "Come
on, let's see if we can't slip away from him through the crowd." This
they did easily, and soon found themselves walking along one of the
quaint streets of San A