t you can tell by
the way in which he moves his legs, whether he is able to walk or
not.'

'That's the way we ginerally gits the p'ints of an animal,' returned
Baldy, with great complaisance, as he seated himself upon a bench to
watch the performance.

It required the boy but a short time to generate a sufficient quantity
of steam to set the legs going at a terrific rate, varying the
proceedings by letting some of the vapor through the whistle which
composed the steam man's nose.

Baldy Bicknell stood for some minutes with a surprise too great to
allow him to speak. Wonderful as was the mechanism, yet the boy who
had constructed it was still more worthy of wonder. When the steam had
given out, the hunter placed his big hand upon the head of the little
fellow, and said:

'You'se a mighty smart chap, that be you. Did anybody help you make
that?'

'No; I believe not.'

'What'll you take for it?'

'I never thought of selling it.'

'Wal, think of it now.'

'What do you want to do with it?

'Thar's three of us goin' out to hunt fur gold, and that's jist the
thing to keep the Injins back an' scart. I've been out thar afore, and
know what's the matter with the darned skunks. So, tell me how much
money will buy it.'

'I would rather not sell it, said Johnny, after a few minutes' further
thought.' It has taken me a great while to finish it, and I would
rather not part with it, for the present, at least.'

'But, skin me, younker, I want to buy it! I'll give you a thousand
dollars fur it, slap down.'

Although much less than the machine was really worth, yet it was a
large offer, and the boy hesitated for a moment. But it was only for a
moment, when he decidedly shook his head.

'I wish you wouldn't ask me, for I don't want to sell it, until I have
had it some time. Besides, it isn't finished yet.'

'It ain't,' exclaimed Baldy, in surprise. 'Why, it works, what more do
you want?'

'I've got to make a wagon to run behind it.'

'That's it, eh? I thought you war goin' to ride on its back. How much
will it draw?'

'As much as four horses, and as fast as they can run.'

The hunter was half wild with excitement. The boy's delight was never
equal to one-half of his.

'Skulp me ag'in, ef that don't beat all! It's jest the thing for the
West; we'll walk through the Injins in the tallest kind of style, and
skear 'em beautiful. How long afore you'll have it done?'

'It will take a month longer, at least.'

Bal