Even Reade, with his very slight experience in such matters, realized that the acting chief was a very sick man.
"You cubs better clear out of here now," suggested one of the rodmen.

"I know better how to take care of men with mountain fever." "I hope you do know more about nursing than I do, Carter," replied Tom very quietly.

"In the future, however, don't forget that, though I may be a cub, I am an engineer, and you are a rodman.
When you speak to me address me as Mr.Reade.

Come, men, all out of here but the nurse." Once in the open Tom turned to Harry with eyes ablaze.
"Harry, could anything be tougher?
The chief away, the acting chief down with fever and on the verge of delirium---and a crooked engineer in our crowd who's doing his best to sell out the S.B.
& L .-- -bag, baggage and charter!".