VIII. INDIANS.

THE STEAM man was toward the train, and at a speed which came up with it.

They see, while yet a away, that they had notice, and the had paused and them with a wonder which it would be difficult to express.

It is said that when Robert Fulton's the Hudson, it a and terror such as had been known, many that it was the of the final of the world.

Of course, at this late day, no such can be by any invention, but the of a over the country, by steam, and such a to a man, not but all who should see it for the time.

The steam man at a which was moderate, until a of a mile of the train, when the boy let on a full of steam and like a meteor. As it came opposite the company, the was palled, and it-gave a to set a man crazy.

The and animals of the train be and plunging, while the men too to do anything in and amazement.

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

But there was one of the who to know something more about it and, his horse, he started after it on a full run. The did not him until he had approached close, when they again put on a full of steam, and they at a which to tear them to pieces.

But the of the boy had what they were able to do without risk: and, without his to its very best, he up a speed which them away from their pursuer, who discouraged, his animal, and and to his friends, a not much man.

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

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

'What's to binder?'

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

'No of this. I this so big that there is of room to have and give it a to work.'

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

'I have, often; but I saw it. I when I go to make steam horses.'

'And birds, I s'pose?'

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

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

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

'I don't know. I may sell him, if wants him.'

'No of that; I'll take him off your hands, and give you a good price for him.'

'What good will' he do you?'

'Why, you can make more money with him than Barnum did with his Woolly Home.'

'How so?' the boy, with great simplicity.

'Take him through the country and him to the people. I tell they'd after such things. Get out pictures of him, and the would necks to see him. I tell yer, thar's a thar!'

The spoke like one who knows.

As it was dusk, they it best to look for some camping-place. There was in at night, as there was no moon, and they might into some or and or some of their machinery, which might result in an catastrophe.

Before it was dark they toward a small of trees, where looked favorable.

'You see we must a place where there is water and fuel, for we need both,' the boy.

'Thar's of wood, as see with eyes,' Baldy, 'and when trees look as as that, thar's sure thar's water not off.'

'That's all we want,' was the of the as he toward the point indicated.

Things were indistinct, when the steam man gave its last puff, and came to in the of the grove. The were drawn, and every-thing was put in as good shape as possible, by the boy, while the a of through the grove. He came with the report that was as they wished.

'Thar's a big of water runnin' right through the middle, and can see the yourself.'

'Any of Indians?' asked the boy, in a low voice, as if of being overheard. 'Dunno; it's too dark to tell.'

'If it's here, we had go on.'

'Yer ain't much used to this part the world. You may keep powerful easy till mornin'.'

As they not in or not, it was the part of to that some them. Accordingly they ate their in silence, and up in the of their wagon, taking the to their with water, and a of and in the of the steam man, so that in case of danger, they would be able to at a notice.

Johnny Brainerd was soon asleep, and the followed, but it was with that light, which is by the noise.

So it came about that, but a hours had passed, when he was by some in the grove. Raising his he to into the darkness, but he nothing.

But he was that something was there, and he the boy him.

'What is it?' the in a whisper, but wide-awake.

'I think ar Ingins among the trees.' 'Good heavens! what shall we do?'

'Keep still and don't skeart! sh!' At this he a noise, and his head, he the of an Indian, in a position, along in of the wagon, as though the contrivance. He was puzzled, but he only a minutes, when he as as he had come.

'Stay yer, while I take a look around!' Baldy, as he out the wagon, while the boy did the same, waiting; until sure that the would not see him.

Baldy a half-hour in making his reconnoissance. The result of it was that he there were twenty Indians, wide-awake, who were moving through the grove.

When he came back, it was with the that their only safety in away without delay.

'We've got to learn,' said he, 'how long it will take to up steam, youngster?'

'There is a full on now. I up the minute you left the-wagon.'

'Good!' Baldy, who in his did not that the steam man was seething, and to with the power up in its vitals.