This fresh affliction but added fuel to the flame of mother's energy.
Our home was paid for, but father's business had been made so broken
and irregular that our financial resources were of the slenderest, and
should this unjust claim for a thousand dollars be allowed, we would be
homeless.

The result of mother's study of the situation was, "If I had the ready
money, I should fight the claim."

"You fight the claim, and I'll get the money," Will replied.

Mother smiled, but Will continued:

"Russell, Majors & Waddell will give me work. Jim Willis says I am
capable of filling the position of 'extra.' If you'll go with me and ask
Mr. Majors for a job, I'm sure he'll give me one."

Russell, Majors & Waddell were overland freighters and contractors,
with headquarters at Leavenworth. To Will's suggestion mother entered
a demurrer, but finally yielded before his insistence. Mr. Majors had
known father, and was more than willing to aid us, but Will's youth was
an objection not lightly overridden.

"What can a boy of your age do?" he asked, kindly.

"I can ride, shoot, and herd cattle," said Will; "but I'd rather be an
'extra' on one of your trains.'

"But that is a man's work, and is dangerous besides." Mr. Majors
hesitated. "But I'll let you try it one trip, and if you do a man's