“Not quite as much, Chunky, but I admit I like my three square meals a day.”
“Where are you going, boys?” asked the professor, looking up from his book, as he saw the three chums leaving the car.
“Out for a walk across the prairie,” replied Ned.
“Wait, and I’ll go with you. I might get some new specimens. I must never waste an opportunity,” and, placing in his pockets several small boxes to hold any possible captives he might get in his butterfly net, the scientist was ready.
It was pleasant on the vast plain that stretched away in every direction from the derailed train. The sun was shining brightly, but not too warm, and there was a gentle breeze.
“This is fine!” exclaimed Jerry.
The boys and the professor strolled on for several miles, the three chums enjoying the walk very much, while Mr. Snodgrass was continually finding some new insect, or a flower, until his specimen boxes were full.
“Well, we’ve come quite a distance,” said Ned, as they got on top of a small hill and looked about. “We can’t see the train anywhere. I guess we’d better be thinking of starting back.”
“Maybe we had,” agreed Jerry. “But what’s that dark line out there?” and he pointed to the horizon.
“A cloud isn’t it?” asked Bob.