"Aeroplane? No, we didn't see any," said Grant quickly.

"Well, I didn't either," said John, "so that's one way that I
didn't come."

"Oh, leave him alone," said George, "he is just bursting with his
story. He wants to tell us and we shan't be able to stop him, so
let's have our dinner and you may rest easy that before we are
done you'll know all of John's story and some beside. To-morrow
it will grow big and fast. It's like the pumpkins out in South
Dakota. They say that a man has to be on horseback when he plants
them."

"How's that?" laughed John.

"Why the vines grow so fast that the only way he can escape is to
put his horse into his best paces. Even then they don't always
escape."

"What happens if they are overtaken?" asked John.

"Oh, the pumpkin vines grow right around them and cover them up
and choke off their wind and do other various stunts."

"Fine! Fine," laughed John, "My story isn't growing like that
though let me tell you. This story is true. It's a complete
narrative of truthful John. I was about to turn back and make
inquiries when I could get an express train for Albany, when what
should I see coming up to the dock but the Varmint II. As soon as
the people on board saw me they immediately began to urge me to