Page:Ruth Fielding at Silver Ranch.djvu/13

Rh day' in New York City, or Chicago, when he passed along yere," grunted the storekeeper. "Eight head o' mules he was drivin'."

"He sure was," agreed, the cow puncher "There was all sorts of trucks and gew-gaws. But the main thing was a pinanner."

"A piano?"

"That's what I said. And that half-Injun, Jib Potoway, says he kin play on the thing. But it ain't to be unboxed till the boss and Jane Ann comes."

"And they'll be gittin' along yere some time to-day," said the other cowboy, throwing his empty tin away. "And when they come, Lem, they're sure goin' to surprise yuh."

"What with?"

"With what they sail by yere in," drawled the puncher.

"Huh? what's eatin' on you, Bud? Old Bill ain't bought an airship, has he?"

"Mighty nigh as bad," chuckled the other. "He's bought Doosenberry's big automobile, I understand, and Jane Ann's brought a bunch of folks with her that she met down East, and they're just about goin' to tear the vitals out o' Silver Ranch—now you hear me!"

"A steam wagon over these trails!" grunted the storekeeper. "Waal!"

"And wait till Old Bill sees a bunch of his