The clerk proved to be a young man only a few years older than Dave and Roger, and the youths took to him at once. He explained in detail where they were to go and what the construction camp located near the new Catalco bridge consisted of, and also told them what their work would probably be for the first few months. "Of course, you've got to start at the bottom of the ladder," he explained. "But you'll find Mr. Obray a splendid man to be under, and you'll probably learn more under him than you would under any of our other head engineers." "In that case I'm mighty glad Mr. Watson assigned us to Mr. Obray's gang," answered Dave. It was arranged that Dave and his chum should start westward early the following morning. This would give them a part of an afternoon and an evening in San Antonio in which to look around and take in the sights of that quaint town. During the conversation with Mr. Watson and the clerk, Dave had been rather surprised because William Jarvey had not shown himself, because on the train he had said he was behindhand; and they had naturally supposed he would come to the offices without delay. Just as they were preparing to leave they heard an angry discussion going on in Mr. Watson's private office, and they heard the voices of the superintendent and the man they had met on the train. "I gave you strict orders to come right back, Jarvey," they heard Mr. Watson say. "You knew we were waiting for those blue-prints." "I was delayed," growled William Jarvey in return. "You see, there were some things about the prints--" "I don't want any excuses," broke in Mr. Watson. "The blue-prints were all right and were waiting for you. You took a day off simply to go and have a good time. Now I want to warn you for the last time. If such a thing happens again I'll discharge you." CHAPTER XXIII AT THE ENGINEERING CAMP "I can understand now why that man Jarvey spoke against Mr. Watson," remarked Dave, as he and his chum walked along the main street of San Antonio. "Mr. Watson evidently has no use for a fellow who doesn't attend to business." "I think he's all right, Dave," returned Roger. "Of course, he's business clean through. But that is what you've got to expect from a man who holds such a position." "Exactly, Roger. The fellow who takes his own time and does things about as he pleases has no place in the modern business world." The two youths had received full instructions regarding what they were to do. They were to take a train westward early in the morning for a small place known as Molona, situated but a short distance from the Rio Grande. There they were to report to Mr. Ralph Obray. Mr. Watson had asked them regarding what they had brought along in the way of baggage, and on being questioned had advised them to purchase several other things before starting for the engineering camp.