“As the crow flies. Now look. Suppose we start at Eagles.” He laid his rifle down carefully, and with his forefinger drew a map in the dust. “This here is Eagles. The main line comes in this way--you know that part of it. Now, there’s a pair of tracks that run from Eagles to Red Rock, on a branch. They ain’t used no more, since the main line came in. Eagles is pretty high up, you know--higher’n Red Rock. The branch that runs to Red Rock starts a little above Eagles. Well, you follow these tracks down to Red Rock. Then they dip pretty sharp an’ curve, an’ four miles farther come into the Jarmey station. I think they run about eight miles beyond this, then peter out near Hawley. At least, that’s my recollection of it.” “Then, practically speaking, it’s down grade all the way from Eagles to where that branch railroad ends?” “Uh-huh. That’s one of the reasons they had to make a new railroad--the engines couldn’t pull cattle cars up the hills.” “Are there any cars on the siding now?” “You mean down at the Jarmey place?” “Well, either there or above Eagles.” “Can’t say for certain. Might be. More chance of ’em bein’ above Eagles than down at the other end. But if there are any, I wouldn’t want to ride in ’em.” “Think the tracks are still there, all the way to Red Rock?” “Sure, an’ some distance beyond. There ain’t never been nobody with enough gumption to root ’em up, so I reckon they’ll stay there till they rust to pieces.” “How far is it from Red Rock to where the tracks end?” “Eight miles, didn’t you say, Pop?” Teddy broke in. “About that. Why, thinkin’ of buyin’ the shebang?” “Not any,” Roy laughed. “Eight miles!” He thought for a moment. “And all down grade?” “Yep. Reckon you could coast a bicycle all the way down, if you was so minded. Or sky, for that matter.” “Sky?” “Sure! Ever hear of that? You put two barrel staves on your feet and use ’em like skates. Course there has to be snow on the ground.” “Oh, I see,” Teddy said, and turned his head away to hide his smiles. “Well, that’s all, I guess. Thanks for the information, Pop.” “Welcome. Any time at all. Glad to oblige.” He picked up his rifle again. “Still practicin’ for the rodeo?” “Haven’t to-day,” Roy answered. “Suppose we try a little, Teddy? Let’s see what we can do with the pony express.” “All right. I was thinking we might--But never mind. Sure, we’ll practice some.” “Like to watch you, boys, but I got to ride out in a few minutes. Usin’ Star an’ Flash, I suppose?” “Sure are! Well, see you later.” Pop nodded, and they left him to his labors. “Eight miles, and all down grade,” Roy mused. “Those words seem familiar, Teddy?” “They do, sonny; they do! That was the song Mob Jamisson was singing, with the Lefton brothers, tenors, joining in the chorus. Wonder when they go into their dance?” “You think they will, then?” “Every good team does a song and dance. Unless they get the hook first. You and I, Roy, will try to be the so-called hook.”