busy, as such men
must ever be, yet recognizing McCrea at a glance and giving him
cordial welcome.

But when McCrea presented his friend, "Lieutenant Graham, whose father
you probably knew as post surgeon at Reynolds," and then made his
request, the official looked grave.

"It's against orders," said he. "The Old Man has jacked up more than
one of the best engineers for allowing it. Why, the Governor had to get
a permit from the general manager for his son to ride in the cab of the
Flyer only last week, and for some reason they've shut down on our
freight people entirely. Gil Frost, bringing his own brother, who used
to fire on the Union Pacific, over on old 550 two weeks ago, had to
dance the carpet the next morning right here in Denver."

"How do you break in your _new_ firemen?" asked Geordie. "Some of our
best men are firing for you now. They had to begin somehow, I suppose."

"Pitch 'em neck and crop into a cab, with a short-handled shovel and a
sharp-tongued old hand. It nigh breaks their backs, but they learn
quick that way."

"Well, pitch me, neck and crop, into a cab, with as short a handle and
sharp a tongue as you like, Mr. Anthony. I'm on three months' leave,
and for reasons of my own want to learn how to fire an engine."

For a moment Anthony looked at the young fellow in amaze. Then the
resolute, square-jawed, clean-cut face began to impress him.

"Well, I've been dealing with you army men out here nigh onto twenty
years," said he, "and I'm blessed if I ever heard the like of that."

"Don't let it surprise you into telling it, Anthony, that's all," put
in McCrea. "Here! Let me give you a pointer--you've got a West Pointer.
I've known you for a square man ever since we were stationed at
Russell," and, linking his arm in that of the astonished official,
McCrea drew him a few paces away from the point where they found him,
with a great passenger-engine hissing and throbbing close at hand,
waiting to take the Flyer whirling eastward toward the Missouri.
Geordie stood silently and watched them. He saw the wonderment in
Anthony's strong face give way to interest as McCrea talked rapidly on;
saw interest deepen to sympathy and a certain excitement. In three
minutes Anthony broke away and came hurrying back, looking at his
watch.

"Mr. Graham," said he, "d' you want to go up the line this very night?
Could you be ready in two hours?"

"I'm ready now," was the instant reply. "All I want is an old cap an