“What is it, Phil?” Margaret turned her horse and joined him.
“I thought I heard a whistle,” he answered. John listened but caught only the stirring of the wind in the trees beside them. Phillip pointed to the roadway.
“It’s been by here not very long ago,” he said. Margaret nodded. John looked perplexedly from the road to Phillip.
“What is it,” he asked; “Injuns?”
“No; engine,” answered Margaret.
“It’s a traction engine,” Phillip explained. “It’s been up along here, and I thought I heard a whistle. Ruby can’t stand traction engines and I reckon Cardinal would simply throw a fit if we met one. I reckon we’d better turn back.”
“But it’s just as likely to have gone toward town as this way, Phil,” Margaret objected; “and I did want Mr. North to see the view from Pine Top.”
“All right,” Phillip assented doubtfully. “When we get to the top we can see what’s doing.”
“‘Tracking the Traction Engine, or Wild Life in Virginia,’” laughed John. “I’ll write it up for the Advocate.”
“No, send it to the Illustrated,” answered Phillip, “with our photographs.”