The Benson signal., 1917-06-02


back and ascertain it's elevation with
relation to the dam. OF course the en-
gineers who planned the great irriga-
ton works had done that, but he want
ed to do it for himself. At one place,
where the distance between what
might be called the edge of the valley
and the head of the ravine was narrow
est-indeed, he estimated after pacing
it that it measured not over twenty
feet across-he discovered that the
rounded earth crest was slightly lower
than the intended level Of the top Of
the dam.
When he returned to the Office, he
found on examining the construction
drawings that an earth dixie was
planned to run along the hogback so
that the top level should be higher
than that of the dam. This dixie would
be only hundred and fifty feet long
and few feet high, and could be built
in few days time. Work on the main
dam being more important, nothing
had as yet been done on the dixie.
Meade had been promoted toward
the end of the fall and in a rather
unusual way. One Of the transit men,
young engineer, got better job
and left his instrument. Vandeventer
called Meade before him.
Roberts," he said, there's a va
cancy for transit man. You've done
such good work SO far and shown such
familiarity with fieldwork, that I'd
give it to you If I had any idea that
you knew anything about handling in
struments."
II think I may be trusted with one,
SIR" answered Meade, his eyes bright
ening.
eyes, perhaps; but have watched
you in odd hours. The young men
around here are constantly practicing
with the transits. I've never seen you
put hand to one. How about it?"
"Tm not exactly youngster, Mr..
vandeventer," returned Meade, "and
I really didn't think it necessary to
practice, but if you trust me with one
I believe I can manage It,"
Old Vandeventer leaned back in his
chair in the Office and looked care
lessly away from Meade to all appear
ances. He clasped his hands back Of
his head and seemed lost in thought.
Suddenly he began humming a little
scrap of verse about another college
which Cambridge men sing with zest {:
I'm a physical wreck,
from the grand old Tech,
But h Of an engineer!
He stopped abruptly, whirled about
in his swingchair, and shot quick
glance at Meade. 1t was trap. And
as he sprang it Vandeventer surprised
the ghost of smile, repressed quickly
but there, on Meade's lips. The chief
engineer was satisfied. Before this,
little things had betrayed a fellow
alumnus; or at least a fellow student
of the old Lawrence Scientific school.
Vandeventer was pleased at his adroit-
ness. He did not, however, refer to
It.
"There's q new transit in that box
on the floor there" he said, resuming
his Indifferent manner. "Pve had the
case opened, but haven't taken it out.
Get it, and Wen 60 outside and see
what you can do with it."
Now a transit, for all 1t is used in
rough fieldwork, is one of the most
expensive and delicate Of instruments.
It Is capable Of the most accurate ad-
justment, and ifs it is to be Of any
real use, the refinement Of these ad-
| iustments.must not be impaired in any
degree by unskilled and reckless pack
ing. The boxes in which the instru-
ments are shipped are very carefully
| constructed in accordance with the
principles which experience has shown
to be necessary, and each one Is espe-
cially fitted to the particular instru-
| ment to be contained therein. The
box is a complicated thing and the
transit cannot be taken out or replaced
except in one way. With knowledge
Of the combination, so to speak, 1t is
comparatively simple to take transit
from the box; without that knowledge,
which none but an expert transitman,
or the packer himself can have, 1t Is
rather difficult without running risk
of running the instrument.
This command was another Of Van
deyenter's tests, therefore. Meade
knew this as we'll as his superior. In
spite of himself, he would have to be-
tray his familiarity. Well, he had
brought himself to the conclusion that
he could not continue his work with
out very soon disclosing the fact that
he had been an engineer. And in case
Of the inevitable, the sooner the bet
ter. SO long as he had to betray him
self, he would have all the advantages
as well as the disadvantages. He un-
locked the door of the box, slid the
instrument out quickly, accurately,
without a moments hesitation, and
rapidly unscrewed the head from the
slide-board, and screwed it carefully
on the tripod. Vandeventer's eyes
sparkled.
"Come outside" he said, leading the
| wav to the side Of the hill t'and set It