It was the hunter's supposition that the boy was going to start the
man right off up street, and then toward the West; but he speedily
revealed a far different plan.

It was to box up the man and take it to In-dependence by steamboat. At
that place they would take it out upon the prairie, set it up and
start it off, without any fear of disturbance from the crowds which
usually collect at such places, as they could speedily run away from
them.

When the plan was explained to Baldy, he fully indorsed it, and the
labor was begun at once. The legs of the steam man being doubled up,
they were able to get it in a box, which gave it the appearance of an
immense piano under transportation. This, with considerable
difficulty, was transported to the wharf, where, with much grumbling
upon the part of the men, it was placed on board the steamboat,
quickly followed by the wagon and the few necessary tools.

The boy then bade his mother good-by, and she, suspecting he would be
gone but a short time, said farewell to him, with little of the regret
she would otherwise have felt, and a few hours later the party were
steaming rapidly up the 'Mad Missouri.'

Nothing worthy of notice occurred on the passage, and they reached
Independence in safety. They secured a landing somewhat above the
town, on the western side, where they had little fear of disturbance.

Here the extraordinary foresight and skill of the boy was manifest,
for, despite the immense size of the steam man, it was so put together