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  cover of The Boy with the U. S. Survey]

  THE CHIEF GEOGRAPHER OF THE UNITED STATES, SURVEYING THESIERRAS, WITH ASSISTANT TOPOGRAPHER.

  _Photograph by U.S.G.S._]

  U. S. SERVICE SERIES.

  THE BOY WITH THE U. S. SURVEY

  BY FRANCIS ROLT-WHEELER

  With Thirty-seven Illustrations from Photographstaken by the U. S. Geological Survey

  BOSTONLOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

  Published, August, 1909

  COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

  All rights reserved

  THE BOY WITH THE U. S. SURVEY

  Norwood PressBERWICK & SMITH CO.Norwood, Mass.U. S. A.

  ToMy SonROGER ROLT-WHEELER

  PREFACE

  Just as manly, courageous, and daring work as has ever been done in thepast still is being done, and adventures as great as the world hascontained before are happening to-day in these United States. Thedifference is that while the explorer and adventurer of the past toooften sought but personal glory in his exploits, these now are done inthe name of and for the benefit of the American people.

  The adventures in this volume, startling as they may seem, wererecounted to the author by the very men who underwent them; slightdetails only being changed to fit them into the rapid sequence withwhich they have to be compressed in the pages of a book. This littlecompany of "men who dare" are real beings, living a real life, andennobling as well as enriching their country by their efforts. In theadministration of this department, manliness, alertness, untiringindustry, and unfailing courage are the prime essentials, favoritism isunknown, and every American boy and man has an equal chance.

  The world is not yet all sordid and commonplace and the glamour of anundiscovered peril is not yet all worn away. To show the inner and theouter worth of the United States Geological Survey, as well as to depictthe adventurous possibilities open to a lad of perseverance and spirit,is the intent and purpose of

  THE AUTHOR.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER I PAGEA START AT THE CAPITAL 1

  CHAPTER IIA TENDERFOOT SNIPE-SHOOT 23

  CHAPTER IIIFOOLING A RESCUE PARTY 44

  CHAPTER IVIN THE GIANT TULE SWAMPS 67

  CHAPTER VPERIL IN THE GRAND CANYON 88

  CHAPTER VIA LONE HAND AGAINST HUNGER 109

  CHAPTER VIISAVED BY HIS NERVE 130

  CHAPTER VIIITHE LAND WHERE IT NEVER RAINS 149

  CHAPTER IXA FIRST-CLASS BUCKING MULE 172

  CHAPTER XAMERICANS THAT ARE FORGOTTEN 190

  CHAPTER XIWHERE PRIMITIVE JUSTICE REIGNS 210

  CHAPTER XIITHE ALASKAN TRIP BEGUN 234

  CHAPTER XIIIWRESTLING WITH A MOUNTAIN GOAT 252

  CHAPTER XIVBREAKING THE ICE JAM 268

  CHAPTER XVFACING DEATH IN A CANOE 290

  CHAPTER XVIDECLARING WAR ON UNCLE SAM 311

  CHAPTER XVIICLAWED BY AN ANGRY BEAR 328

  CHAPTER XVIIIFIGHTING FIRE IN THE TUNDRA 344

  CHAPTER XIXRACING A POLAR WINTER 362