dy stood a few minutes in thought.

'See here, younker, we're on our way to the 'diggin's,' and spect to be
thar all summer. Ef the red-skins git any ways troublesome, I'm comin'
back arter this y'ar covey. Ef yer don't want to sell him, yer
needn't. Ef I bought him, it ain't likely I'd run him long afore I'd
bust his b'iler, or blow my own head off.'

'Just what I thought when you were trying to persuade me to sell it,'
interrupted the boy.

'Then, if he got the cramp in any of his legs, I wouldn't know how to
tie it up ag'in, and thar we'd be.'

'I am glad to see you take such a sensible view of it,' smiled Johnny.

'So, I'm goin' on West, as I said, with two fools besides myself, and
we're goin' to stay thar till yer get this old thing finished; and
then I'm comin' after you to take a ride out thar.'

'That would suit me very well,' replied the boy, his face lighting up
with more pleasure than he had shown. 'I would be very glad to make a
trip on the prairies.'

'Wal, look fur me in about six weeks.'

And with this parting, the hunter was let out the door, and
disappeared, while Johnny resumed his work.

That day saw the steam man completed, so far as it was possible. He
was painted up, and every improvement made that the extraordinarily
keen mind of the boy could suggest. When he stood one side, and
witnessed the noiseless but powerful workings of the enormous legs, he
could not see that anything more could be desired.

It now remained for him to complete the wagon, and he began at once.

It would have been a much easier matter for him to have secured an
ordinary carriage or wagon, and alter it to suit himself; but this was
not in accordance with the genius of the boy. No contrivance could
really suit him unless he made it himself. He had his own ideas, which
no one else could work out to his satisfaction.

It is unnecessary to say that the vehicle was made very strong and
durable.

This was the first great requisite. In some respects it resembled the
ordinary express wagons, except that it was considerably smaller.

It had heavy springs, and a canvas covering, with sufficient, as we
have shown in another place, to cover the man also, when necessary.

This was arranged to carry the wood, a reserve of water, and the
necessary tools to repair it, when any portion of the machinery should
become disarranged.

English coal could be carried to last for two days, and enough wood to
keep steam going for