Besides, if I rode afield, I'd miss Mr.Newnham." So he opened the book and read for an hour.

Then he glanced up as a stranger on horseback rode into camp.
"Tell me where I can find Mr.Reade," said the new arrival.
"You're looking at hire," Tom replied.
"No, son; I want your father," explained the horseman.
"If you go on horseback it will take you months to reach him," Tom explained.

"My father lives 'way back east." "But I want the chief engineer of this outfit," insisted the stranger.
"Then you're at the end of your journey." "Don't tell me, young man, that you're the chief engineer," protested the horseman.
"No," Tom admitted modestly.

"I'm only the acting chief.

Hold on.