The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22

- 90 we 90 Wn6l we get
there?" asked Frisbie OF his
chief, when the two buck
boards, heaving and lurching over the
rock strewn talus at the foot 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 In
creased. THE president said he want
ed to drive over this shortcut, and
he's doing it."
"Humphr 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 1 come in?'
You are implicated with me; that
was his word"
Another mile passed IN discom-
forting plungings The trail had
become all but impossible for the
staggering horses; yet the lead
ing blackboard held on doggedly.
There were places were both drivers
had to get out and lead; bad bits where
all save the president descended to
walk. But through the worst as we'll
oS tHC DCSl, MI OOlOTllu CluuB 10 his
seat like a man determined to ride. 1t
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 hillside to the southwark.
Fords driver had fallen a little behind
In the final half mile, and when the gap
was closed up the president was wait
ing.
all =,
what breathless but triumphant, ARE
you fully satisfed?"
'T have learned nothing that I did
not know before we began to build the
extension" was the noncommittal re-
joinder.
'Oh, you haven't? You reported that
canyon impracticable for a railroad,
and yet I have just driven through 1t
without once dismounting from this
blackboard. Moreover, we shall find in
Copah tomorrow a resurvey of the line
showing its entire practicability, Mr..
Ford-a report not made by your en-
gineers."
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 presidents expedient
seemed childishly puerile to Ford.
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.
I'VE can discuss these matters later
II you wish" he said placably. Il
think you will find our ground well
taken. Do you want to drive back as
we Gamer Or will you let me find you
an easier road to the mouth Of Horse
creek?"
But Mr.. Colbrith was not to be
baked or turned aside.
Mr.. Ford, wish to be fair and i'm
partial Isdesired to satisfy myself.
personally, that this route we have
driven over is practicable, and 1t was
also my desire that the investigation
should be conducted in your presence.
You will admit that you made a mis-
take-a very costly mistake for the
company-in abandoning this short
cut"
IT admit nothing of the kind. The
difficulties remain as they were. quite
unchanged by our pleasure trip from
the end of track. Mr.. Colbrith. As
suming that the resurvey will report
that the north bank of the river is
practicable. while the south bank is
not, have only to say that the cost OF
the two bridges would offset the easier
grading conditions. while the danger to
future traffic would remain the same.
But that is neither here nor there. You
must either give us credit for knowing
our business or you must discredit US
entirely"
Frisbie was grinding his heel into the
hard soil of the mesa The argument
was growing rather acrid. and Penfield
and the two drivers were interested lis
teners. 1t was high time for diversion
to be made. and the assistant made It,
I'VE have used five hours getting
down here, and we'll need as many
going back" he put in. Unless there
is something more to be done on the
spot, I think we'd better take the road
over the hills. It's with you. Mr.. Col
BIRTH"
The president signified his assent by
climbing into his blackboard. and the
return Journey was begun, with the
two engineers in the lead for pathfind-
ing purposes. Once safely out OF ear
shot, Frisbie voiced his disgust.
"A wild goose chase, pure and sim
plei Stuart, that old man Is in his
second childhood
Not at ALL" said Ford. HE is mere
ly following out North.s suggestions
Dick, my name is Dennis
Nonsense. Things are no worse
than they have been all along"
My time with the Pacific South
western is shorter by Just the number
of hours 1t has taken us to drive down
here. Mr.. Colbrith has convinced him.