“Yes; and it was something awful. I never knew there were so many cows in the world. And say, it was hot enough out there to bake a pie.”
A twinkle of amusement shone in the eyes of several.
“How did you find your way?” asked Major Carroll.
“I struck out on a bee-line for the railroad, and followed the tracks right into town.”
“But you might soon have become used to Lone Pine, and enjoyed the experience.”
“Not in a thousand years,” protested Willie, earnestly. “I don’t want to ride a broncho; I don’t want to go up in that air-skimmer. When the machine shop was closed, that settled it.”
“Otherwise, I fear, the machine shop would have been settled,” laughed Rob.
“Are you, then, interested in tools and machinery, my lad?” asked the Major.
“Am I—am I!—Well, you just bet I am!” exclaimed Willie, sinking down on a stool. “I could live all my life in a workshop.”
The financier became interested.