Comrades of the Saddle | Page 5

travel about the country."
With this and other advice Mr. Alden counseled his sons, and so interested did they become in what he told them about the country of which they were soon to have their first glimpse that they were in Olmsted almost before they knew it.
Going first to the bank, Mr. Alden drew out the money for his sons, obtained a letter of credit for himself and then arranged to purchase his steamship tickets in Pittsburg, whither all four travelers were going together.
When they reached home Mrs. Alden had finished her packing and all was practically ready for the start on the morrow.
After supper the farmer and his wife drove to Bramley to say good-by to their friends, but the two chums decided to stay at home.
Eager to be on their way, it seemed to Larry and Tom that the hours never passed so slowly. They tried to read, but in place of the print on the pages pictures of cowboys and bucking bronchos danced before their eyes, and they soon shut their books.
"Wish we'd gone with father and mother," exclaimed Tom. "It's more stupid here than saying good-by."
But scarcely were the words out of his mouth when the door opened and in came an old friend named Silas Haskins, a former gold miner.
"I got to go to Husted to-morrow, so I came over to-night to say 'so long,'" he said in explanation of his call.
Cordially the boys made him welcome, and the time passed quickly when they had led Silas round to talking about his adventures in the far West.
When at last the gold miner rose to go he said:
"I brung some presents for you. They'll be useful in the West."
And from his pockets Silas drew forth two fine big jackknives and two long pieces of thong.
"They're both the same, so you won't need to quarrel about 'em," he smiled as he handed their presents to each.
The boys were deeply touched by such evidence of friendship from their aged friend and were profuse in their thanks when he again put his hands in his pockets and produced two little bags made of buckskin and attached to a stout strip of the same strong material.
"I don't know how you're intending to carry your money," he began, "but----"
"Why in our pockets," interrupted Larry.
"That's just what I supposed," grunted the old gold miner. "Now I want you to put it in these two bags and hang 'em round your necks. There can't no one get to 'em without waking you up nor take 'em without giving you a chance to fight."
Readily the boys promised to wear the money bags, and with a hearty handshake with each their aged friend went home.
The night passed quickly and the morning was busily spent in getting the luggage to the station.
As the family waited for the train the dingy little station was alive with people who had come to wish the Aldens pleasant journeys. And as the train left the Bramley depot the members of the ball team gave three rousing cheers for Larry and Tom.
The parting with their parents at Pittsburg was hard for the boys, but fortunately for them their train left first, and soon they were engrossed in watching their fellow passengers.
These consisted of a German boy, who seemed about their own age; two elderly gentlewomen, and two big men, who would have seemed well dressed had they not worn so much jewelry.
With interest the two chums watched the German youth and several times when they had turned to look at him they had found him gazing at them.
It was only the memory of their father's advice to be careful as to whom they spoke to on the train that prevented them from striking up an acquaintance. But when they found themselves at dinner seated at the same table with the foreigner they broke their reserve and told him their names.
In return the German said he was Hans Ober.
A speaking acquaintance thus established, Hans lost no time in asking questions about the United States and particularly the West, to which Larry and Tom replied as well as they were able.
Evidently glad of their company, the German sat with them after the boys returned to their car from dinner.
Once or twice Hans had tried to learn where the chums were going without asking directly, but they had given evasive answers, and at last, as though believing confidence would beget confidence, he announced that he was going to join his brother Chris, who had a store in Tolopah.
As they heard their destination mentioned, Larry and Tom exchanged surprised glances, which did not need their words to let Hans know they were all three bound for the same place.
This coincidence removed whatever of reserve was left and the three boys talked freely.
Hans said he had