“I think I should like it of all things,” replied Philip, with some hesitation, “but what for.”

“Oh, it’s a big operation.  We are going, a lot of us, railroad men, engineers, contractors.  You know my uncle is a great railroad man.  I’ve no doubt I can get you a chance to go if you’ll go.”

“But in what capacity would I go?”

“Well, I’m going as an engineer.  You can go as one.”

“I don’t know an engine from a coal cart.”

“Field engineer, civil engineer.  You can begin by carrying a rod, and putting down the figures.  It’s easy enough.  I’ll show you about that.  We’ll get Trautwine and some of those books.”

“Yes, but what is it for, what is it all about?”

“Why don’t you see?  We lay out a line, spot the good land, enter it up, know where the stations are to be, spot them, buy lots; there’s heaps of money in it.  We wouldn’t engineer long.”

“When do you go?” was Philip’s next question, after some moments of silence.

“To-morrow.  Is that too soon?”

“No, its not too soon.  I’ve been ready to go anywhere for six months.  The fact is, Henry, that I’m about tired of trying to force myself into things, and am quite willing to try floating with the stream for a while, and see where I will land.  This seems like a providential call; it’s sudden enough.”

The two young men who were by this time full of the adventure, went down to the Wall street office of Henry’s uncle and had a talk with that wily operator.  The uncle knew Philip very well, and was pleased with his frank enthusiasm, and willing enough to give him a trial in the western venture.  It was settled therefore, in the prompt way in which things are settled in New York, that they would start with the rest of the company next morning for the west.

On the way up town these adventurers bought books on engineering, and suits of India-rubber, which they supposed they would need in a new and probably damp country, and many other things which nobody ever needed anywhere.

The night was spent in packing up and writing letters, for Philip would not take such an important step without informing his friends.  If they disapprove, thought he, I’ve done my duty by letting them know.  Happy youth, that is ready to pack its valise, and start for Cathay on an hour’s notice.

“By the way,” calls out Philip from his bed-room, to Henry, “where is St. Jo.?”

“Why, it’s in Missouri somewhere, on the frontier I think.  We’ll get a map.”

“Never mind the map.  We will find the place itself.  I was afraid it was nearer home.”

Philip wrote a long letter, first of all, to his mother, full of love and glowing anticipations of his new opening.  He wouldn’t bother her with business details, but he hoped that the day was not far off when she would see him return, with a moderate fortune, and something to add to the comfort of her advancing years.