'B'ars and bufflers! younker, what ye got thar?' he demanded, eyeing the steam man with an expression of the most amazed wonder. 'I say, what do yer call that thing?' 'That,' laughed Johnny, who could not avoid a feeling of strong apprehension at the singular appearance of the strange hunter, 'is a sort of peregrinating locomotive.' 'Paggyratin' locomotive, what's that?' he asked, in a gruff voice, and with an expression of great disgust at the unfamiliar words employed. 'You have seen a locomotive, haven't you?' 'Reckon I hev, down in St. Louey.' 'Well, this is something on the same principle, except that it uses legs instead of wheels.' 'Can that ere thing walk?' 'Yes, sir, and run, too; it traveled all the way from the Missouri river to this place.' The huge hunter turned upon him with a fierce expression. 'Yer can't fool this yar boss in that style.' 'Don't you believe me?' asked the boy, who was fearful of offending the stranger. 'No, sar; not a word.' 'How do you suppose we got it here?' 'Fotched in a wagon.' 'Let me show you what he can do.' He was about to step into the wagon, when the hunter stopped him. 'See hyar, younker, who mought yer be?' The boy gave his name and residence. 'What yer doin' hyar?' 'I'm traveling with this machine of mine.' 'How do you git it along?' 'I was just going to show you when you stopped me.' 'Hold on; no need of bein' in a sweat about it. Do yer come alone?' 'No. I came with a hunter.' 'What war his name?' 'Baldy Bicknell.' 'B'ars and bufflers! did yer come with him?' 'Yes; he was my companion all the way.' 'Whar mought he be?' Johnny Brainerd hesitated a moment. While the huge hunter might possibly be of great service to the beleaguered miners, yet he recollected that it was the desire of Baldy that the fact of gold existing in Wolf Ravine should be kept a secret from all except their own party. Should it become known to any of the numerous hunters and emigrants who were constantly passing in the neighborhood, there would be such a flocking to the place that they would be driven away and probably killed for the treasure that they had already obtained. The boy, therefore, chose to make a non-committal reply: 'Baldy is some distance away, in camp.' 'And what are yer doin' hyar?' 'I stopped here to get water for this steam man, as we call him. You know anything that travels by steam must have the water to generate it.' 'I say, younker, I don't want none of yer big words to me. Ef I h'ar any more, b'ars and bufflers, ef I don't crack yer over the head with Sweetlove, my shootin'-iron, so mind what yer say, fur I won't stand no nonsense.' 'I didn't wish to offend you,' returned the boy, in the meekest of tones. 'How far away might be Baldy?' 'I couldn't tell you exactly, but I think it is less than ten miles.' 'Be you goin' back to camp to-night?' 'It was my intention, that is, I meant to do so.'