of the canyon cliff, had passed beyond
sight and sound of the headquarters camp at the mouth of Horse Creek.

"I'm not guessing any more," said Ford crustily. He was finding that his
temper deteriorated as the square of his distance from Alicia Adair
increased. "The president said he wanted to drive over this short-cut,
and he's doing it."

"Humph!" growled Frisbie. "If he wanted to rub salt into your bruises,
why didn't he take you in the cart with him? And where do _I_ come in?"

"You are 'implicated' with me; that was his word."

Another mile passed in discomforting plungings. The trail had become all
but impassable for the staggering horses; yet the leading buckboard held
on doggedly. There were places where both drivers had to get out and
lead; bad bits where all save the president descended to walk. But
through the worst as well as the best, Mr. Colbrith clung to his seat
like a man determined to ride. It was well past noon when the two
vehicles reached the western portal of the canyon, and the dottings of
the Copah mine workings came in sight on the hillsides to the southward.
Ford's driver had fallen a little behind in the final half-mile, and
when the gap was closed up, the president was waiting.

"Well, Mr. Ford," he began, somewhat breathless but triumphant, "are you
fully satisfied?"

"I have learned nothing that I did not know before we began to build the
extension," was the non-committal rejoinder.

"Oh, you haven't? You reported that canyon impracticable for a railroad,
and yet I have just driven through it without once dismounting from this
buckboard. Moreover, we shall find in Copah to-morrow a re-survey of the
line showing its entire practicability, Mr. Ford--a report not made by
your engineers."

Ford and Frisbie exchanged swift glances of intelligence. The presence
of the strange engineering party in the canyon was sufficiently
explained. At first sight the president's expedient seemed childishly
puerile to Ford. Then suddenly in a flash of revealment he saw beyond
the puerilities--beyond the stubborn old man who, with all his narrow
self-will and obstinacy was merely playing the game for others.

"We can discuss these matters later, if you wish," he said placably. "I
think you will find our ground well taken. Do you want to drive back as
we came? Or will you let me find you an easier road to the mouth of
Horse Creek?"

But Mr. Colbrith was not to be balked or turned aside.

"Mr. Ford,