in our crowd who's doing his best to sell out the S.B.
& L.---bag, baggage and charter!"

CHAPTER XI

THE CHIEF TOTTERS FROM COMMAND

It was not like Tom Reade to waste time in wondering what to do.

"Harry," he continued, once more turning upon his chum, "I want
you to get a pony saddled as fast as you can. You know that the
telegraph wire is being brought along as fast as it can be done.
This morning I heard Rutter say that it was hardly five miles
back of us on the trail. Get into saddle, wire the chief at the
construction camp, and bring back his orders as fast as you can
ride."

Hazelton replied only with a nod, then broke into a sprint for
the spot where the saddle animals were tethered. Two minutes
later Harry, though not a crack horseman, left camp at a gallop.

In Blaisdell's tent matters dragged along. Ice was needed, but
none was to be had. Cloths were wrung out in spring water and
applied to the sick man's head. Within half an hour Tom received
word that the acting chief was "out of his head."

Later on Hazelton galloped back into camp bearing this despatch:

"Reade, Engineer Corps.
Take charge of camp until Rutter returns. Then turn over charge
to him. Rush for the nearest physician; engage him to remain
at camp and look after Blaisdell. I return tonight.
(Signed) Thurston, Chief Engineer."

"Men," called Tom striding over to the little party of rodmen,
"tell me where the nearest physician is to be found."

"Doe Jitney, at Bear's Cave," replied one of the men.

"How far is that?"

"Fourteen miles, by the trail."

"Get on to a pony, then, and go after Dr. Gitney. Bring him here
and tell him we'll want him here for the present. Tell the doctor
to bring all the medicines he'll need, and both of you ride fast."

"I'm not going on your orders," retorted the man sullenly.

"Yes, you are," Tom informed him promptly. "I'm in charge, for
the present, and acting under Mr. Thurston's orders. If you don't
go, you won't eat any more in this camp, or draw any more pay
here. It's work or jump for you---and discharge if you lose or
waste any time on the way. Mr. Blaisdell's life is at stake.
Rustle!"

The man so ordered scowled, but he rose, went over and saddled
a pony and rode out of camp.

"That part is attended to," sighed Tom. "Hang it, I wish we could
get hold of some ice. I don't know much, but I do know that ice
is needed in high fevers. I wonder if anyone here kno