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.'