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.
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