The boys were in high spirits about the successful completion of the job, and waited with eagerness to hear the signals Murphy was to send them.
"Wouldn't it be a joke," said the Codfish, as the hour for the opening of the great telegraph line came and went, "if it didn't work?"
"We'd be out ten dollars," remarked David. "But look at the fun we've had!"
"There speaks a true sporting proposition, gents," said the Codfish.
But the line was not to be a failure. Suddenly, while the boys were discussing their probable bad bargain, the little brass-armed sounder jumped into life and began to dance like mad.
"How well he talks!" said the Codfish, who couldn't read a letter. "I think it's about the most intelligent language I ever listened to. Don't sit there, Frank, pretending you know all about it," for Frank had his ear glued on the sounder and was trying hard to make out what was coming.
"IT'S CHOCTAW!" CRIED THE CODFISH. "WHO CAN READ CHOCTAW?"—[Page 179.]
"No, I can't make it out, it's too fast for me; I can read a little if I haven't forgotten. I wish he'd send slower."