CHAPTER IV

THE COLLISION


Won't we have fun, Jan, when we get to the ranch?"

"I guess so, Teddy. But I don't like it about those Indians."

"Oh, didn't you hear Daddy say they were tame ones--like the kind in
the circus and Wild West show? They won't hurt you, Jan."

"Well, I don't like 'em. They've got such funny painted faces."

"Not the tame ones, Jan. Anyhow I'll stay with you."

The Curlytops were talking as they sat together in the railroad car
which was being pulled rapidly by the engine out toward the big West,
where Uncle Frank's ranch was. In the seat behind them was Mother
Martin, holding Trouble, who was asleep, while Daddy Martin was also
slumbering.

It was quite a long ride from Cresco to Rockville, which was in
Montana. It would take the Curlytops about four days to make the
trip, perhaps longer if the trains were late. But they did not mind,
for they had comfortable coaches in which to travel. When they were
hungry there was the dining-car where they could get something to
eat, and when they were sleepy there was the sleeping-car, in which
the colored porter made such funny little beds out of the seats.