" said Neale, thoughtfully. "You said--you
were hunting me?"

"Well, I should smile!" returned Campbell, and handed Neale a letter.

Neale tore it open and hastily perused its contents. It was a brief,
urgent request from Baxter that Neale should return to work. The words,
almost like an order, made Neale's heart swell for a moment. He stood
there staring at the paper. Larry read the letter over his shoulder.

"Pard, shore I was expectin' jest thet there, an' I say go!" exclaimed
Larry.

Neale slowly shook his head.

Campbell made a quick, nervous movement. "Neale, I was to
say--tell--There's more 'n your old job waitin' for you."

"What do you mean?" queried Neale.

"That's all, except the corps have struck a snag out here west of
Benton. It's a bad place. You an' Henney were west in the hills when
this survey was made. It's a deep wash--bad grade an' curves. The gang's
stuck. An' Baxter swore, 'We've got to have Neale back on the job!'"

"Where's Henney?" asked Neale, rather thickly. Campbell's words affected
him powerfully.

"Henney had to go to Omaha. Boone is sick at Fort Fetterman. Baxter has
only a new green hand out there, an' they've sure struck a snag."

"That's too bad," replied Neale, still thoughtfully. "Is--the chief--is
General Lodge there?"

"Yes. There's a trooper camp. Colonel Dillon an' some of the officers
have their wives out on a little visit to see the work. They couldn't
stand Benton."

"Well--you thank Baxter and tell him I'm sorry I must refuse," said
Neale.

"You won't come!" ejaculated Campbell.

Neale shook his head. Larry reached out with big, eager hands.

"See heah, pard, I reckon you will go."

Campbell acted strangely, as if he wanted to say more, but did not have
authority to do so. He looked dismayed. Then he said: "All right, Neale.
I'll take your message. But you can expect me back."

And he went on his way.

"Neale, shore there's somethin' in the wind," said Larry. "Wal, it jest
tickles me. They can't build the railroad without you."

"Would you go back to work?" queried Neale.

"Shore I would if they'd have me. But I reckon thet little run-in of
mine with Smith has made bad feelin'. An' come to think of thet, if I
did go back I'd only have to fight some of Smith's friends. An' I reckon
I'd better not go. It'd only make trouble for you."

"Me!... You heard me refuse."

"Shore I heerd you," drawled Larry, softly, "but you're goin' back if I
have to hawg-