Then, while Frank was firing up, Charley Gorse went to his barn, and soon came back with the Steam Man, and the old giant glared down from his height upon the steam steed of the plains.
“The old man looks natural,” said Frank.
“First-class,” said Charley; “and I’ll match him to travel against your horse.”
“Bully for you,” said Frank. “Do you want to try it now?”
“I do,” said Charley. “Pomp, go and get our rifles and other things, and stow them in the wagon, for we may get out too far to reach home again to-night.”
In a short time everything was ready.
Pomp mounted by the side of Charley Gorse, and Barney Shea took his place alongside Frank Reade; the steam was let on carefully, and away went the horse and man through the village at a moderate pace, the people staring in open-mouthed amazement at the novel sight.
Then out upon the level plains they went and steam was crowded on.
[Away they flew] like rockets over the hard and level ground, the breeze raising their hats as they dashed along.
The horse took the load and maintained it, dashing along on a square, rapid trot, his legs fairly twinkling as he spurred the ground with his sharpened hoofs.