“Looks like a mistake. But don’t get scared. Let’s look about. If this is Valkaria, I reckon it must be the outskirts of the town.”
“The trunks,” cried the boy’s mother. “And they’ve taken our trunks. What are we to do? Something awful is sure to happen to us.”
“It hasn’t happened yet, mother. And I can begin to see something. What’s this?”
On the far side of the ditch, a dark mass outlined itself in the night. While his mother protested, the boy clambered up the bank. Then a peal of boyish laughter sounded in the still night.
“It’s all right, mother. We’re right in town. This is the union depot. It’s an old box car. And here’s the sign on it—‘Valkaria.’”
There was a half hysterical sob, and the boy rushed back to his frightened parent.
“Don’t be scared, mother. It’s all right. This is the place. There’s bound to be someone near. Brace up.”
Just then the hoarse croak of a frog sounded, and the woman broke into tears. The boy, attempting to pacify her, began another survey of his surroundings.
“Look, mother. It’ll be moonlight in a little while. See!”