"We weren't alone," explained Sue. "Nutty was with us."
"Oh, yes, I know that queer tramp," said the water-tank switchman with another laugh. "There's no harm in him, though some of the trainmen put him off when they find him stealing a ride."
"This is his cat," went on Sue, showing the pussy. "Will your dog bite it?"
"Oh, no, indeed!" exclaimed the switchman. "My dog likes cats. In fact, my wife has a cat and I have a dog, and the two animals get along very nicely together. But come along—let's see—what shall I call you?" he asked.
"I'm Bunny and this is my sister Sue," answered the little boy. "Our last name is Brown."
"Hum! That's funny!" laughed the jolly switchman. "My last name is Black, though I'm a white man."
"What's your dog's name?" asked Bunny, as he and his sister trudged along with the switchman, one on either side of him, Sue carrying Nutty's pussy cat.
"His name is Bruno," was the answer. "He's a good dog and likes children. But I'm thinking your mother and father will be worried about you. Night's coming on. They can hardly get here after you before to-morrow, and I don't believe they know where to look for you. Did they see you get into the freight car and come away?"
"No," said Bunny. "Daddy wasn't there and mother was asleep."
"If I knew where your mother was I could go into town and send her a telegram, I suppose," went on the switchman. "What station was it you got off at?"