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Hm, that means me too, I suppose, Rob, observed Andy, sighing.
Oh! I could do it alone, Rob started to say, when Andy braced up, bit his lip, and continued:
That was the old selfish streak in me speaking then, Rob. Youll have to overlook it once more. Of course, Ill not let you finish this business by yourself. It would be a fine way of acting on my part, now, wouldnt it taking the goods and then refusing to pay for the same? Here, let me carry the bag a while. Im going to be your shadow for this one day anyhow; though praps, after all, we can manage to drop in at the Zone, and see whats what in that interesting district.
Rob laughed.
Ill make a special point of it to oblige you, Andy, he said, clapping the other on the shoulder. As for Hiram, I can understand why hes so anxious to find out where the aviation field lies. Weve got to remember that his business is with parties who are altogether interested in airships and flying.
Thanks, Rob, said Hiram, nodding his head in that quick jerky way he had. It stands to reason that I want to pick up a few pointers on the sly before I show myself to the Golden Gate people. By hanging around Im apt to hear some talk, and learn a few facts that may stand me in good later on.
Youd better go some slow, Hiram, cautioned Andy. Remember that we had it arranged to back you up when the time came to interview your people. So dont spoil all our plans by being too precipitate.
Meaning, I figure, Hiram answered, wincing under that last word, that I mustnt be rash, and put my foot in it. I promise you Ill fight shy there, Rob; and when we meet here to get a bite of lunch together, praps Ill have some news for you.
I hope it will be the right kind of news, then, Hiram, Rob told him, seriously; though for that matter it seems to me this company has treated you splendidly already, and that they must be on the square.
And after that affair is all settled up, continued the other, drawing a long breath of anticipation, think of the great times Im going to have mousing around the building
that houses the inventions. I tell you Im the luckiest dog that ever lived to get this big chance thrown right at me.
So Hiram hurried away, having already marked out his course from long study of the little chart each one of the scouts possessed, and which gave what might be called a birds-eye view of the extensive Exposition grounds, where the most prominent buildings were located, and the shortest way to get from one point to another.
Rob looked after him with a smile on his face. He turned to Andy and laughed.
Isnt he the greatest crank in his line you ever saw? asked Andy.
Oh! its hardly fair to call Hiram that, expostulated the scout leader; hes enthusiastic over inventions, but what of that? Every fellow whos dead in earnest could be spoken of as a crank. And its the cranks, as you call them, who make the wheels of progress go around.
Yes, added Andy dryly, Ive noticed that some of them even seem to have wheels in their heads, though they get hopping mad if you mention it, or turn your hand this way, and he indicated a revolving motion with his finger that could hardly be mistaken by a sensitive person.
All I know is that Hiram is due to enjoy the greatest feast his soul ever could imagine. But dont let us waste any more time here, Andy; Ive got my bearings by now, and can take you straight to the building where the scientists love to gather and gloat over the queer things that are so wonderful to them. Come along!
CHAPTER XI ROB DELIVERS THE GOODS
They call it the Arch of the Setting Sun, replied the scout leader.
A mighty good name, considering how were at the jumping-off place of the United States. Seems to me, Rob, that the Far West has always gone by the name of the Land of the Setting Sun.
Thats why the arch has been built, Rob told him. You see, in pioneer days the constant drift was always this way. Men who founded homes in what was then the wilderness along the Ohio kept hearing wonderful stories about the richness of the soil farther west, and what unlimited fur-bearing animals were to be captured by those daring enough to take the risk.
And so they kept pushing farther and farther, year in and year out. In this way settlers finally overran the prairies, and crossed the Rockies? asked Andy, as he surveyed the beautiful arch that had been raised to commemorate the dreams of the men who blazed the way of civilization through the wilderness.
Yes, and here along the shore of the Pacific lay the end of the dream, explained the scout leader. California represented the foot of the rainbow of promise those hardy men had seen painted in the sky. The western sun meant a whole lot in those days; it shone over the Land of Promise; it was the hope and ambition of almost every settler. No one drifted East; it was always into the mysterious and beckoning West that families emigrated.
Around them were crowds of eager sight-seers. At times they jostled elbows with representatives of numerous foreign nations.