“’Nother stool fur d’ table. That’s fur Mary--but yo’ need’n say so. She brings d’ dinner, an’ she’s got a’ eat same as men.” “Yes.” “New giers fur d’ mule, an’ scissors to cut his mane an’ tail.” “Yes.” “New oil can. De mule stepped on d’ ol’ one--but you need’n put that in d’ letter--tings is s’posed to wear out sometime.” “Very well.” “Red flag an’ white flag, red globe an’ a white globe. Them’s fur extras.” “Is that all?” “No. Five gallons signal oil. Might’s well git enough while we’re at it.” “Yes, Tommy,” said the agent, “but you must remember that all these supplies will be charged up to you, and your reign at the river will be successful or otherwise in proportion to the expense of the station.” “I don’t quite git yeh,” said Tommy, eyeing the agent. “Yo’ don’t think fur a secont ’at I’m goin’ t’ put up fur this truck?” “Not exactly, Tommy; but the company holds you responsible for the property in your charge, and you must be as economical--that is, as saving--as if you were paying for them.” Tommy looked troubled. “Do you think you really need all these things?” asked the station-master. “Yes,” said Tommy, positively. He was usually positive, one way or the other. “Anything else?” “Well,” said Tommy, thoughtfully, “they ort ’o be a ’Merican flag top ’o d’ tank an’ d’ fort.” “The company doesn’t furnish fireworks or prepared patriotism for its employees, Tommy, you know,” said the agent, looking seriously at the ambitious young official. “Well, jist say, after th’ flag business, ’at your deescrishunt or something ’at ’ill show they don’t haf t’ fill that order,” said Tommy, nodding his head to indicate his perfect satisfaction with himself. CHAPTER VI THEY HOIST THE FLAG WHEN the Highland accommodation stopped for water, about a week after Tommy had received the supplies which he had requested, the express messenger kicked off a long bundle marked “Tent, West Silver Creek Bridge. (D. H.)” When the train pulled out a couple of Mr. Collins’s men climbed up the water tank. After sighting and measuring for a while the men came down and asked: “Where’s your flag?” “We aint go’ no flag,” said the pump boy. “Well, we’ve been sent here to put up a flag. What’s in that bundle?” “Tent!” yelled Tommy, after examining the tag. “Hully smoke, Jack, we’re goin’ t’ have a tent,” cried he, enthusiastically, as he began to cut the twine about the bundle. Tommy’s eyes widened when he shook the bundle open and found a big silk banner wearing the stars and stripes. “D’ flag! d’ flag, Jack!” he cried excitedly, as he threw the little watchman down and began to roll him up in the silk that lay upon the grass.