“No,” replied Frank. “I do not care to sell any of my inventions. They are for my own use. I will always, however, put them at the disposal of the weak and oppressed.”
“Truly a noble sentiment,” agreed the colonel, “but I am anxious to capture this man Cliff. Hello! what have you there? A giant in iron? One of your new inventions is it? Well, that beats all.”
With this Clark proceeded to make an inspection of the Steam Man. A great crowd of the newcomers were doing the same.
It was an object of great wonderment. Frank showed its working to the entertainment of all.
But Cliff’s men had not been so easily beaten as the savages.
They had dispersed into the passes and were somewhat scattered, but here they made a stand and resisted stubbornly.
It was necessary to dislodge them as quickly as possible.
At any moment they might avail themselves of the fortunes of war and turn victory into defeat.
So Clark quickly called his men together.
Only a brief rest was all that he would accord them.