Page:Harry Castlemon - The Steel Horse.djvu/347

 house and home. Why, he lost six thousand dollars in hard money, Matt did; all the savings of years of honest work."

"But he knows a way to get it all back and more too," said one of Dave's partners. "We expect him home with some of the boys to-day, and when he comes we'll all be rich."

"Spence, you talk too much for a little man." said Dave, sternly. "Matt won't take it kind of you telling all his secrets. He warned us all not to say anything about it."

"Fellows, we must be going," exclaimed Joe. "I know that everything these men have to say is full of interest, but listening to stories will not take us to our journey's end. By the way, how far is the railroad from here? I mean the one that runs through Dorchester?"

"Fifteen miles, or such a matter," answered Daily. "But you couldn't never get there. The woods is so thick you couldn't take them wagons through. Your best plan is to stick to the road. Where did you say you was going to stop to-night?"

"If we stay here much longer we'll have to