ore Hotel or the Waldorf Astoria,"
remarked Frank Andrews, with a grin. "If you stay out here you'll have
to learn to rough it."

"We know something about roughing it already," answered Dave. "If the
other fellows can stand it I guess we can."

"You won't find it so bad when you get used to it," answered the man.
"Of course, it's pretty hot during the day, but the nights are quite
comfortable. We've got a first-class colored cook, so you won't find
yourselves cut short on meals."

"That's good news," answered the senator's son. "I always thought that
a good meal covered a multitude of sins," and at this misquotation
Frank Andrews laughed heartily.

The man had already been despatched to get the baggage, and after it
arrived Dave and Roger proceeded to make themselves at home, each
donning such clothing as they saw the others of the engineering corps
wearing.

"It's good-bye to boiled shirts and stiff collars," said Roger, "and
I'm not sorry for it."

"Nor am I," returned Dave. "I'll feel much more like working in this
comfortable outfit."

Almost before they knew it, it was noon, and presently they saw a
number of men, some of them quite young, coming in to dinner. Through
Frank Andrews they were introduced to all the others, and then placed
at one of the tables in the mess hall where a helper of Jeff, the
cook, served them with a meal which, if not exactly elegant, was
certainly well-cooked and substantial.

"I want you two young men to stay around the offices for the rest of
this week," announced Mr. Obray to them after the meal. "That will
give you a chance to familiarize yourselves with what we are doing in
the way of constructions in this vicinity. Then next week you can go
out with the gang and begin your regular field practice."

The youths soon found that practical work in the office was quite
different from the theoretical work done under Mr. Ramsdell. Still
their tutor had instructed them faithfully, so that they soon "caught
on," as Roger remarked.

When they did not understand a thing they did not hesitate to
ask questions, and they found the other persons present very
willing to explain and to help them. There was a spirit of
comradeship throughout the whole camp that was as comforting as it
was beneficial.

"It isn't everybody for himself here," explained Frank Andrews. "It is
one for all. You are expected to do all you can for the other fellow,
and in return it's understood that he will do