"We are not going down there to get into any fights," answered Dave.
"We are going down there to attend strictly to business. If the
Mexicans will only leave us alone, we'll leave them alone."

Dave and Roger had at first thought to go to Texas by the way of New
Orleans and Houston, but after some thought they decided to take the
journey by the way of St. Louis, Kansas City and San Antonio. Their
train was to leave on the following morning, so that the two youths
had a whole day practically to themselves.

"Now I am in Washington I'd like to take a look around," said Dave.

"I knew you'd like to do that, so I got everything ready beforehand,"
announced his chum. "We'll spend to-day in sightseeing."

They visited the Capitol and the White House, and numerous other
buildings, and almost before they were aware it was evening. Then Mrs.
Morr insisted upon it that her son retire early, knowing what a hard
journey was before him.

The senator's son had received word that the Mentor Construction
Company had opened a temporary office at San Antonio, and the two
youths were to report there before proceeding farther. The engineering
corps to which they had been assigned was on the point of moving from
one place to another, and they were to get definite instructions at
San Antonio regarding their further movements.

"Well, good-bye and good luck to you!" said the senator, who came down
to the depot with them to see them off.

"Good-bye, Dad," answered Roger, shaking hands warmly. Dave, too,
shook hands with his chum's father.

Then, in a moment more, the two youths were off on their long journey
to Texas.

"This kind of traveling is rather different from what the pioneers put
up with," remarked Roger, as the two settled themselves in their
comfortable seats, they having a whole section of the sleeper to
themselves. "Think of what it must have been to travel thousands of
miles in a boomer wagon behind a team of mules or oxen!"

"Yes, Roger, and think of being on the lookout constantly for
unfriendly Indians and wild beasts," added Dave. "I'll tell you, when
you come to consider the luxuries we enjoy these days we have much to
be thankful for."

The day's run was a pleasant one, and the youths enjoyed it greatly.
They spent the time in chatting about the prospects and in gazing at
the swiftly-moving panorama to be seen from the car window.

"It's a pity we have to sleep when there is so much to see," was
Dave's com