"I see," laughingly replied Kelly. "You think if a kitten is born in an oven it must surely be a loaf of bread! But you are mistaken. I have spent my life, or all of it that I can remember, west of the Mississippi; and I never went to school a day in my life. Manners and language are like the small pox, contagious; and if I have caught more than most men in my calling, it is my good luck, not education."
"Well, will you tell me your name now?"
"I don't know of any reason why I should not, as I never done any thing to disgrace it. It is Kelly; my friends call me Lew, for short—"
"What! Lew Kelly, the famous scout? Your name is well known all along the frontier, and I am glad to meet you, though I must confess I am somewhat disappointed."
"In what respect?" asked Kelly.
"Why I expected to see a great burly fellow, who could whip his weight in wild-cats, but you are not much older than I am; nor much, if any, larger."
"A gentle hint that you think you can whip me," said Kelly.
"No, sir, nothing of the kind; and I hope I may never have any occasion to try it."
"You will be liable to get the worth of your money if you do," replied the scout. "But will you tell me your name?"
"You may call me Curtiss, if you please—those fellows over there call me Captain."