the boy let
on a full head of steam and instantly bounded forward like a meteor.
As it came opposite the amazed company, the whistle was palled, and
it-gave forth a shriek hideous enough to set a man crazy.

The horses and animals of the emigrant train could be seen rearing and
plunging, while the men stood too appalled to do anything except gaze
in stupid and speechless amazement.

There were one or two, however, who had sense enough to perceive that
there was nothing at all very supernatural about it, and they shouted
to them to halt; but our two friends concluded it was not desirable to
have any company, and they only slackened their speed, without
halting.

But there was one of the emigrants who determined to know something
more about it and, mounting his horse, he started after it on a full
run. The trapper did not perceive him until he had approached quite
close, when they again put on a full head of steam, and they went
bounding forward at a rate which threatened to tear them to pieces.

But the keen perception of the boy had detected what they were able to
do without real risk: and, without putting his invention to its very
best, he kept up a speed which steadily drew them away from their
pursuer, who finally became discouraged, checked his animal, and
turned round and rode back to his friends, a not much wiser man.

This performance gave our friends great delight. It showed them that
they were really the owners of a prize whose value was incalculable.

'Ef the old thing will only last,' said Baldy, when they had sunk down
to a moderate trot again.

'What's to binder?'

'Dunno; yer oughter be able to tell. But these new-fangled things
generally go well at first, and then, afore yer know it, they bust all
to blazes.'

'No fear of this. I made this fellow so big that there is plenty of
room to have everything strong and give it a chance to work.'

'Wal, you're the smartest feller I ever seen, big or little. Whoever
heard of a man going by steam?'

'I have, often; but I never saw it. I expect when I go back to make
steam horses.'

'And birds, I s'pose?'

'Perhaps so; it will take some time to get such things in shape, but I
hope to do it after awhile.'

'Skulp me! but thar must be some things that you can't do, and I think
you've mentioned 'em.

'Perhaps so,' was the quiet reply. 'When you git through with this
'Western trip, what are you goin' to do with this old feller?'

'I don't know. I m