“Don’t ‘mister’ me, or anybody else out here! We aren’t used to it. You boys have the heart, I saw that when you faced the Swede last night. That’s what counts with me. So you can bank on my doing all I can to help you.”
This promise revived the boys’ spirits, which had sunk to a low ebb as they had listened to the foreman’s statements concerning men who had given up their struggle with the wild land, and they passed the rest of the day tramping about the tract with Steve, entirely forgetful of their letter of credit, picking up all the points they could and asking countless questions.
“Andy wants you to go right down to the station,” shrilled Jennie from the steps of the store where she had been watching for them, as she beheld Phil and Ted climbing off the engine. “I thought you never was coming. Pap ’lowed you mought of got hurted. Hurry back. I’ll have supper ready.”
“Why should Andy send for us?” mused Phil, as the engine started again.
“Station’s the only place to talk where Peleg won’t be listening,” smiled Steve. “Evidently Andy has something important to say.”
“Why, we have for—” began Ted, only to be interrupted by the engineer.
“Bet Peleg’s snooping down there now,” chuckled Jim.
“Yes, there he is,” cried Steve, pointing to a figure gliding among the trees, as they neared the freight-car station.
“Oh, you Peleg! Better get back to the store,” shouted the foreman. “Andy said he’d duck you in the water tank if he caught you snooping—and you know you don’t like water.”
Never a word did the storekeeper reply, but the others all laughed as they saw him turn and go back.