“Well, the first thing to do is to build a stable for your iron horses.”
“It’s easy enough to talk, but where’s the money coming from?”
“How much will it take to set the mill agoing again?”
“Ten thousand dollars,” said Mark, with a very faint whistle.
“Ten thousand dollars!” echoed the captain, with a louder whistle. “Any insurance?”
“Not a cent’s worth!” said Mark; “it’s too risky. You see a little combustible cotton has swept away my fortune in a couple of hours.”
“Nobody hurt, was there?” queried the captain.
“No. Thanks to brave little Becky Sleeper, even the little cripple was got out. That’s a brave girl, Captain. She’ll be the town talk to-morrow. Her skill in climbing and lifting stood her friend to-day. She’s a wide-awake Sleeper. Pity we hadn’t more tomboys like her about.”
“She of any use? you surprise me, Mark.”