Through the Air to the North Pole | Page 2

me so hard and treated me so mean that I ran away. I've been tramping ever since; don't my clothes show it? You see I was forced to go without taking my many trunks along," and he laughed, for he was of a jolly disposition.
"My people are dead also," said Mark. "I had a job with a man going around the country with a traction engine, threshing wheat and oats at different farms. But he used to beat me, so, one night, I ran away."
"And didn't bring any extra clothes with you, either," put in Jack.
"I never owned any to bring. I only had the one suit I wore."
And after that the boys had told something of their experiences and become very friendly.
The two boys walked on for a while in silence, kicking up the dust of the country road. Then Jack came to a halt, clapped his hand on his pocket, and said:
"I nearly forgot I had something to eat! Just think of it! And I haven't dined since yesterday! I wonder what the lady gave me. She looked good natured."
He sat down on a grassy bank along the highway, pulled the package of food out, and began to eat with every indication of satisfaction.
"Bread, meat, piece of pie and a piece of cake!" he announced, looking over his lunch. "What did you get, Mark?"
"I got the same as you, except I didn't get any pie or cake."
"I guess your lady hadn't baked this week. Never mind, you can have half my pie and half my cake."
"I'm sure I'm much obliged," said the thin youth.
"You needn't be," broke in Jack. "That's the law of the road. When two--well, I suppose I might as well say tramps, for that's what we are--when two tramps go off together, they whack up. And that's what we're going to do!"
It did not take long for the boys to finish their simple meal. Jack, true to his promise, shared his dessert with his companion.
"Well, I feel like going on now, and looking for a job," remarked the heavier weighted lad. "What do you say, Mark?"
"I guess we might as well get out of this town. They don't seem to care for us. But I wish I had a drink of water."
"Nothing easier," replied Jack. "There you are," and he pointed a short distance ahead, where a brook ran along the road. The boys got down on their faces near a little pool, the bottom of which was covered with white pebbles, and drank heartily. Then, refreshed by the water, their hunger appeased, and rested, they started on the tramp again.
"Any particular place you want to go to?" asked Mark.
"No, I'm not particular. East or west, the north pole or the south pole. I haven't any one to worry about me, no matter which way I go. I'd a little rather go north, though, as it is mighty warm to-day," and Jack laughed carelessly.
Little did he guess how soon his wish was to be gratified.
"Then we may as well keep on until we get to the next town," said Mark.
They walked on for some distance, their thoughts busy with their recent experiences, when they suddenly heard a noise at a distance.
"Sounds like a freight train," said Mark.
"So it is! Come on! Let's get aboard! Riding is easier than walking any day! Hurry up!"
And then the two boys broke into a run toward a slow moving freight on a track that crossed the country road a short distance away from them.
"Look out that you don't get under the wheels!" cautioned Jack to his companion.
"Oh, I'm used to jumping the cars," replied Mark, as he ran quickly up beside the rails.
The two boys reached the track along which the freight train was bumping and clicking. It was a long outfit, with many box, flat and gondola cars.
"Try for a gondola!" suggested Jack, indicating the cars with sides about five feet high, and open at the top.
The next instant he had swung up on a car, thrusting his foot in the iron step, and grasping the handle in a firm grip. Jack grabbed the next car, and landed safely aboard. Then, running forward, and clambering over to where his companion was, Jack pulled Mark down on the bottom of the gondola.
"No use letting a brakeman see you if you can help it," he explained.
CHAPTER II
THE RUNAWAY TRAIN
On went the train, carrying the boys to a destination unknown to them. All they cared for was that they were going away from Freeport and its vindictive constable.
"How long have your folks been dead?" asked Jack, after he had settled himself comfortably in a corner.
"About five years," was the answer. "Father and mother went about the same time. They were poor, and I had no brothers or sisters. When I was