Such is a brief and Imperfect description of this wonderful steam man,
as it appeared on its first visit to the Western prairies.
CHAPTER II. 'HANDLE ME GENTLY.'
WHEN Ethan Hopkins had surveyed the steam man fully, ha drew a long
sigh and ex-claimed:
'Wal, naow, that's too had!'
'What's that?' inquired Bicknell, who had been not a little amused at
his open-mouthed amazement.
'Do you know I've been thinking of that thing for ten years, ever
since I went through Colt's pistol factory in Hartford, when I was a
youngster?'
'Did you ever think of any plan!'
'I never got it quite right, but I intended to do it after we got
through digging for gold. The thing was just taking shape in my head.
See here, naow, ain't you going to give a fellow a ride?'
'Jis' what I wanted; shall I run it for you?'
'No, I see how it works; them 'ere thingumbobs and gimcracks do it
all.'
'Johnny, hyar, will tell yer 'bout it.'
The little humpback sprung nimbly down, and ran around the man,
explaining as well as he could in a few moments the manner of
controlling its movements. The Yankee felt some sensitiveness in being
instructed by such a tiny specimen, and springing into the wagon,
exclaimed:
'Git eout! tryin' to teach yer uncle! I knowed how the thing would
work before you were born!'
Perching himself on the top of the wood which was heaped up in the
wagon, the enthusiastic New Englander carefully looked over the
prairie to see that the way was clear, and was about to 'let on
steam,' when he turned toward the Irishman.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25