"I go on the same errand that you do, and visit the chaplain of the Fort, so do not be alarmed, that gentleman was only trying to test your courage."
I read the card: P. D. McAndrews, editor of Storm Lake Tribune, Storm Lake, Iowa. The minister looked interested, but only remarked:
"I fear no personal harm, the only fear I have is that I may not be able to do them as much good as others of more experience could."
I thought if any one needed to have fear, it was he, as his work would be among them. Mrs. P. whispered:
"Oh! isn't it awful, are you alarmed?"
"Not as much as I appear to be, the gentleman evidently enjoyed teasing us, and I enjoyed seeing him so amused. We will reach there after sunrise and go as soon as we can to the Fort; we will not stop to learn much of Valentine, I know all I care to now."
The stranger, who by this time I had figured out as a pony boy—I could not think what else would give him such a countenance as he wore—changed the subject with:
"That man," referring to Judge T., "don't need to say there is no alkali along here, I freighted over this very country long before this railroad was built, and the alkali water has made the horses sick many a time. But I suppose it is wearing out, as the country has changed a good bit since then; there wasn't near as much grass growing over these sand hills then as there is now."
Then by way of an apology for his appearance, remarked:
"I tell you freighting is hard on a man, to drive day after day through all kinds of weather and sleep out at night soon makes a fellow look old. I look to be fifty, and I am only thirty-five years old. My folks all live in Ohio, and I am the only one from the old home."