CHAPTER VIII. INDIANS.
THE STEAM man was headed straight toward the emigrant train, and advanced at a speed which rapidly came up with it.
They could see, while yet a considerable distance away, that they had attracted notice, and the emigrants had paused and ware surveying them with a wonder which it would be difficult to express.
It is said that when Robert Fulton's first steamboat ascended the Hudson, it created a consternation and terror such as had never before been known, many believing that it was the harbinger of the final destruction of the world.
Of course, at this late day, no such excitement can be created by any human invention, but the sight of a creature speeding over the country, impelled by steam, and bearing such a grotesque resemblance to a gigantic man, could not but startle all who should see it for the first time.
The steam man advanced at a rate which was quite moderate, until within a quarter of a mile of the astonished train, when 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 may sell him, if anybody wants him.'
'No fear 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 ever did with his Woolly Home.'
'How so?' inquired the boy, with great simplicity.
'Take him through the country and show him to the people. I tell yer they'd run after such things. Get out yer pictures of him, an............