The rules given for dispatchers in the book of rules are short--only about a third as long as those for section-foremen. They state that the dispatcher reports to the superintendent, that it is his duty to issue orders for the movement of trains and to see that they are transmitted and recorded, that he may not go off duty until another dispatcher relieves him and that he must explain to the dispatcher coming on the train-orders in force. But how small a portion of the dispatcher's duty this really represents! He must "know the road,"--every grade, siding, and curve. Nay, more; he must know the pitch of every grade, or he will give his engines such heavy loads that they will not be able to get over the road. He must know the capacity of every siding, or he may name one as a meeting-point for trains too long to pass there, except by breaking the trains up and see-sawing by a few cars at a time. He must know the capacity of every engine, so that he can tell just how many cars it can handle. He must know the disposition of every conductor and engineer, for some will complain without cause, while some will never ask for help until they absolutely need it. As a telegrapher, he must be expert in the highest degree; he must be quick and sure of decision, of an iron nerve and with a calmness which nothing can disturb. None of which things are mentioned in the book of rules! CHAPTER XX WHAT DELAYED EXTRA WEST "Well, how're ye goin' t' like it?" asked Jack Welsh at supper, that evening, noticing how thoughtfully the boy was eating. "Oh, I shall like it," answered Allan, confidently, looking up with a strange light in his eyes. "A position like that gives one such a sense of power and of responsibility. It's worth doing." Jack nodded. "That's it!" he said. "That's th' spirit! Buck up to it, an' it ain't half so hard to do. That's th' way with everything in this world. Th' feller who's afeerd he's goin' t' git licked, most ginerally does." "Well, I may get licked," said Allan, "but if I do, it'll be because I'm not strong enough, not because I'm afraid." "I've seen little men lick big ones by mere force o' will," said Jack. "Th' big man was whipped afore he started in. I believe that most o' th' people who make a failure in this world, do it because they don't keep on fightin' as long as they've got any wind left, but sort o' give up an' turn tail an' try t' run away--an' th' fust thing they know they git a clip on th' jaw that puts 'em down an' out."