On the other hand, the brusque, outspoken manner of the hunter pleased the appreciative mind of the boy, who saw much to admire, both in his appearance and manner.
'I don't s'pose yer know me,' said the stranger, as he stepped inside and allowed the boy to secure the door behind him.
'I never saw you before.'
'I am Baldy Bicknell, though I ginerally go by the name of 'Baldy.''
'That's rather an odd name.'
'Yas; that's the reason.'
As he spoke, the stranger removed his hat and displayed his clean-shaven pate.
'Yer don't understand that, eh? That 'ere means I had my ha'r lifted ten years ago. The Sioux war the skunks that done it. After they took my top-knot off. It had grow'd on ag'in and that's why they call me Baldy.'
In the mean time the door had been closed, and all secured. The hat of the steam man emptied its smoke and steam into a section of stove-pipe, which led into the chimney, so that no suspicion of anything unusual could disturb the passers-by in the street.
'You see it won't do to let him walk here, for when I tried it first, he went straight through the side of the house; but you can tell by the way in which he moves his legs, whether he is able to walk or not.'