“Si, senor, with pleasure,” replied the polite ranchero; “take all that you would care to of it.”
Frank turned and motioned to Barney and Pomp.
They took the hint at once and moved the Man up to the spring.
In a few moments they had the hose out and were pumping the water with all haste into the Steam Man’s boilers.
Frank with this followed the ranchero into the adobe building.
In the interior it was scarcely more inviting than outside, but the hospitable ranchero offered Frank a seat.
The young inventor accepted it.
It was a small chair near a window, through which Frank could easily see what was going on in the yard.
“Pardon, senor!” said the ranchero, affably, “but may we not exchange names? I am Don Juan de Casnova.”
“And I am Frank Reade, Jr.”