Part 29 (2/2)

”I don't use my influence that way, Roger,” answered the father, shortly. ”You must not expect special favors because I happen to be a United States senator. I expect you to make your way on your own merit.”

”And that's what I'm going to do,” answered the son, promptly.

”I do hope both of you boys keep out of trouble,” said Mrs. Morr. ”You are going close to the border of Mexico, and there has been fighting going on along that border for many months.”

”We are not going down there to get into any fights,” answered Dave.

”We are going down there to attend strictly to business. If the Mexicans will only leave us alone, we'll leave them alone.”

Dave and Roger had at first thought to go to Texas by the way of New Orleans and Houston, but after some thought they decided to take the journey by the way of St. Louis, Kansas City and San Antonio. Their train was to leave on the following morning, so that the two youths had a whole day practically to themselves.

”Now I am in Was.h.i.+ngton I'd like to take a look around,” said Dave.

”I knew you'd like to do that, so I got everything ready beforehand,”

announced his chum. ”We'll spend to-day in sightseeing.”

They visited the Capitol and the White House, and numerous other buildings, and almost before they were aware it was evening. Then Mrs.

Morr insisted upon it that her son retire early, knowing what a hard journey was before him.

The senator's son had received word that the Mentor Construction Company had opened a temporary office at San Antonio, and the two youths were to report there before proceeding farther. The engineering corps to which they had been a.s.signed was on the point of moving from one place to another, and they were to get definite instructions at San Antonio regarding their further movements.

”Well, good-bye and good luck to you!” said the senator, who came down to the depot with them to see them off.

”Good-bye, Dad,” answered Roger, shaking hands warmly. Dave, too, shook hands with his chum's father.

Then, in a moment more, the two youths were off on their long journey to Texas.

”This kind of traveling is rather different from what the pioneers put up with,” remarked Roger, as the two settled themselves in their comfortable seats, they having a whole section of the sleeper to themselves. ”Think of what it must have been to travel thousands of miles in a boomer wagon behind a team of mules or oxen!”

”Yes, Roger, and think of being on the lookout constantly for unfriendly Indians and wild beasts,” added Dave. ”I'll tell you, when you come to consider the luxuries we enjoy these days we have much to be thankful for.”

The day's run was a pleasant one, and the youths enjoyed it greatly.

They spent the time in chatting about the prospects and in gazing at the swiftly-moving panorama to be seen from the car window.

”It's a pity we have to sleep when there is so much to see,” was Dave's comment, as, after having pa.s.sed through Cincinnati, it grew time to retire. ”I'd like very much to see what this section of the country looks like.”

The following morning found them crossing the Mississippi River. They pa.s.sed through St. Louis, and then the train headed for Kansas City, where they were to change for Fort Worth and San Antonio.

The train for San Antonio proved to be much less crowded than the other had been. As before, the youths had a section to themselves, and none of the sections near them was occupied. But when, on the following day, the train stopped at a way station several pa.s.sengers got aboard, including a man who took the section opposite to that occupied by our friends.

This man was a tall, heavy-set and red-faced individual, having reddish hair and a heavy reddish mustache. He looked the youths over rather coldly, and then, throwing himself down in his seat, proceeded to read a newspaper.

”Doesn't look like a very friendly fellow,” whispered Roger to Dave.

”I was hoping we might meet somebody who would warm up a little and tell us something about this part of the country.”

”You've got to go slow in making friends out in a strange place like this,” answered Dave.

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