To get away from it all for a while Tom strolled a short distance out of camp, seating himself on the ground under a big tree not far from the trail.
Five minutes later the young chief heard halting footsteps that struck his ear as being rather stealthy.

Someone, from camp, was heading that way.

Stealth in the other's movements made Reade draw himself back into the shadow.
'Gene Black halted not far from the tree.

Turning back toward the camp, the fellow shook his fist violently in that direction.
"He's certainly thinking of me," grimaced Reade.
"You young cub, you may laugh for a day or two more!" muttered Black, with another shake of his fist.
"If that's meant for me, I'm much obliged, I'm sure," thought Reade.

"Laughing is always a great pleasure for me." "It's your turn now," continued Black, in the same low, passionate tone, "but I'll soon have you blocked---or else under the sod!" "Oho!" reflected the young acting chief engineer, not without a slight shudder.