Mustang Max is leading a selected body of the hardy emigrants, men picked out for their fighting qualities, and the half smile on the face of the tall guide tells very plainly that a battle must be very near at hand.
Preceding the two bands, and traveling at an easy pace to accommodate the horses, are the Steam Horse and his regular chum, the Steam Man.
Pomp is playing on his banjo and singing at the top of his voice.
Barney is scraping away with might and main on his “darlint” fiddle, and putting in an accompaniment to Pomp’s melodious singing.
Altogether it looks like a triumphant entry into an enemy’s domains, although of a character somewhat novel.
With music, mirth, song, laughter and jest, they march along over the sunlit road towards Captain Prime’s house, with the very charitable intention of cleaning him out if he refuses to come to their terms of surrender.
“Barney,” sings out Barry Brown.
“I moind,” said Shea, never ceasing in his see-saw.
“Do you play by note?”
“Divil the note.”