"They all look like miners to me. Put a shovel in their hands and they wouldn't be at all different from us. But we mustn't be standing here doing nothing. While we are here, let's take a look at the tracks over the chutes. There is a rail a little down at the heels. I shall have to report it as dangerous. Getting a car off here blocks the whole line. I wonder when that edge broke down. It was all right when I inspected it yesterday." Steve took out his memorandum book and made a note of the condition of the rail for immediate report to the engineering department. While the boys were thus engaged some of the party stood looking in their direction. "Mr. Penton, who are those young men standing over yonder?" asked Mr. Carrhart. "They are my track inspectors. They are a pair of likely young fellows. I'll wager there isn't a another pair of their age on the range that can equal them." At this every one of the party turned to look at the Iron Boys, who, all unconscious of the attention they were attracting, were busy with their work. "The chances are they do not even know you gentlemen are here, so attentive are they to their work." "Who are they, Penton? I am interested in these prodigies," laughed Mr. Carrhart. "The taller of the two is Robert Jarvis. The other is Steve Rush, after whom the Rush Gravity System is named. You will remember, Rush suggested the change to the gravity system." "Steve Rush?" exclaimed the president. "Why, I was going to ask you about the young man. I wish to talk with him, and the boy Jarvis, also. Rush is my find, you will remember, Penton." "I was congratulating myself that I was his discoverer," laughed the superintendent. "No, you will remember my sending him up to you with a letter. You know I saw that he had good material in him. He was a live wire, even then." "I give way; the honor is yours," answered Mr. Penton. The party was in great good humor. "If you can spare your young friends from their duties, for a few moments, I should like to speak with them." "Surely. Rush!" "Yes, sir." The lad straightened up, touching his cap immediately. "Will you step over here, please?" Steve strode across the tracks. "Jarvis, you, too." "Yes, sir." "How are you, Rush?" exclaimed President Carrhart, stepping forward and extending a cordial hand. "How do you do, Mr. Carrhart. I am afraid my hand is not shakeable. It is grimy with red ore." "We will shake all the same, lad." They did so, the president holding to Steve's hand as he gazed keenly into the manly face of the boy, Steve returning his gaze, respectfully but steadily. "I am glad to see you, Rush." "Thank you, sir. And I want to thank you also for giving me the opportunity that you did. This is my companion, Bob Jarvis."