Gene
Black, approaching the young head of the camp after early breakfast.

"What's the matter?" Tom asked pleasantly.

"I have rather a bad headache," complained Black.

"That's a woman's complaint," smiled Tom.

"Just the same, I'm not fit for duty," retorted Black rather testily.
"I hope I'm not going to come down with the fever, but I can't be
sure."

"You'd better stay in camp, then," nodded Reade. "Don't go out into
the field again until you feel like work."

"Humph! He takes it easily enough," grunted Black to himself
as the young chief strode away to confer with Butter. "I wonder
if the cub suspects the game I'm playing here? Oh, pshaw! Of
course he doesn't suspect. Why should he? The truth is that
Cub Reade doesn't realize how much every man is needed in the
field. Reade doesn't understand the big need for hustle here.
Well, that all helps to make my task the easier."

Within five minutes Rutter and the other engineers had their full
instructions. As they started away Tom called after them:

"Gentlemen, if there is any possible way of putting fifty per cent.
more work into each day, now, I know I can rely upon you all to do
it. The S.B. & L. must run its first train over the completed road
within charter time."

Now, Tom had opportunity to wonder what had happened to Harry
Hazelton, who should have been back in camp the preceding evening.
"He must have had to go farther for ice than we imagined,"
was the only conclusion Reade could form. "At any rate, Harry
won't come back until he has it. He won't bring back merely an
excuse when his commission was for a ton of ice."

Tom wandered into the new headquarters' tent, heaved a big sigh
as the weight of his new responsibilities struck him with full
force, and began a systematic examination of all the piles of
papers and maps now under his charge.

By nine o'clock Harry Hazelton and his guide returned, followed
by a four-mule transport wagon.

Tom, hearing the approach, came out and beckoned. Harry rode
up, dismounting.

"Well, I got the ice, you see," announced Hazelton.

"Did you have to go very far for it?"

"No; but you and I forgot to allow for the time that mules would
need for rest on such a steep, uphill climb. Where is the ice to go?"

"Send the man over to Jake Wren. Jake knows more about such things
than you or I will know within the next ten years."

Harry carried the order to the driver, then hurried back.

"How are