"I do."
"I thought so. You don't know Chicago, or you wouldn't say that. Chicago has New York beaten any way you look at it."
"Then I reckon you're from Chicago, stranger," put in Roy, who had the easy and familiar manners which life in the west breeds.
"I am, and I don't believe I'm far wrong when I say you're from off a ranch."
"I am," admitted Roy, wondering how the stranger had guessed so soon.
"Well, there's no use getting into a dispute over our respective cities," went on the stranger. "Everyone thinks his home town is the best. Are you two traveling far?"
Thus the conversation opened, and the three were soon chatting pleasantly together.
In due time the train arrived at Jersey City, just across the Hudson River from New York.
"Here we are!" exclaimed Mr. De Royster. "A short trip across the ferry now, and we'll be in the biggest city in the Western hemisphere."
Roy followed his friend from the train, mingling with the crowd on the platform under the big shed.