'It won't run far; the steam is nearly out.'
'Be jibbers! but me head is caved in!' exclaimed the Irishman, rising to his feet, rubbing his head, and looking at his hand to see whether there was blood upon it.
'Jerusalem! I thought she had upset or busted her b'iler!' said the Yankee, looking around him with a bewildered air.
The two spectators were laughing furiously, and they could scarcely stand the trick which had been played upon them.
'Let your old machine go to blazes!' muttered Ethan. 'If it acts that way, I don't want nothin' to do with it.'
In the mean time the steamer had gone rattling over the prairie, until about a quarter of a mile distant, when it rapidly slackened, and as quickly halted.
'What's the matter wid it now?' asked Mickey; 'has it got the cramps and gi'n out?'
'The steam is used up!' replied the dwarf, as he hurried after it; 'we can soon start it again!'
All four made all haste toward the stationary figure; but the light frame and superior activity of little Johnny brought him to it considerably in advance of the others. Emptying a lot of wood from the wagon, he was busily engaged in throwing it into his stomach when the other two came up. His eyes sparkled, as he said:
'Jump up there, and I'll give you all a ride!'