friend. Nobody else
dared try and banter King.

"Wal, I didn't sign up with this heah outfit to run up hills all day,"
replied Red.

"I'll tell you what. I'll get Casey to be my lineman. No, I've a better
idea. Casey is slow, too. I'll use one of the niggers."

Red King gave a hitch to his belt and a cold gleam chased away the lazy
blue warmth from his eyes. "Go ahaid," he drawled, "an' they'll bury the
nigger to-morrow night."

Neale laughed. He knew Red hated darkies--he suspected the Texan had
thrown a gun on more than a few--and he knew there surely would be a
funeral in camp if he changed his lineman.

"All right, Red. I don't want blood spilled," he said, cheerfully. "I'll
be a martyr and put up with you.... What do you say to a day off? Let's
ride over to Slingerland's."

The cowboy's red face slowly wrinkled into a smile. "Wal, I shore was
wonderin' what in the hell made you rustle so lately. I reckon nothin'
would suit me better. I've been wonderin', too, about our little girl."

"Red, let's wade through camp and see what we can get to take over."

"Man, you mean jest steal?" queried King, in mild surprise.

"No. We'll ask for things. But if we can't get what we want
that way--why, we'll have to do the other thing," replied Neale,
thoughtfully. "Slingerland did not have even a towel over there.
Think of that girl! She's been used to comfort, if not luxury. I could
tell.... Let's see. I've a mirror and an extra brush.... Red, come on."

Eagerly they went over their scant belongings, generously appropriating
whatever might be made of possible use to an unfortunate girl in a wild
and barren country. Then they fared forth into the camp. Every one in
the corps contributed something. The chief studied Neale's heated face,
and a smile momentarily changed his stern features--a wise smile, a
little sad, and full of light.

"I suppose you'll marry her," he said.

Neale blushed like a girl. "It--that hadn't occurred to me, sir," he
stammered.

Lodge laughed, but his glance was kind. "Sure you'll marry her," he
said. "You saved her life. And, boy, you'll be a big man of the U. P.
some day. Chief engineer or superintendent of maintenance of way or some
other big job. What could be finer? Romance, boy. The little waif of
the caravan--you'll send her back to Omaha to school; she'll grow into a
beautiful woman! She'll have a host of admirers, but you'll be the king
of the lot--sure."

Neale got out of the ten