Before it was fairly dark they headed toward a small clump of trees, where everything looked favorable.
'You see we must find a place where there is plenty water and fuel, for we need both,' remarked the boy.
'Thar's plenty of wood, as yer see with yer eyes,' replied Baldy, 'and when trees look as keen as that, thar's purty sure sign thar's water not fur off.'
'That's all we want,' was the observation of the engineer as he headed toward the point indicated.
Things were growing quite indistinct, when the steam man gave its last puff, and came to rest in the margin of the grove. The fires were instantly drawn, and every-thing was put in as good shape as possible, by the boy, while the trapper made a tour of examination through the grove. He came back with the report that everything was as they wished.
'Thar's a big stream of water runnin' right through the middle, and yer can see the wood fur yourself.'
'Any signs of Indians?' asked the boy, in a low voice, as if fearful of being overheard. 'Dunno; it's too dark to tell.'
'If it's dangerous here, we had better go on.'
'Yer ain't much used to this part the world. You may keep powerful easy till mornin'.'
As they could not feel certain whether in danger or not, it was the part of prudence to believe that some peril threatened them. Accordingly they ate their evening meal in silence, and curled up in the bottom of their wagon, first taking the precaution to fill their tank with water, and placing a portion of wood and kindlings in the bowels of the steam man, so that in case of danger, they would be able to leave at a short notice.