They galloped their tired mounts straight for the little red building, which was the station.

Dick sprang first from his horse, and leaving it to stand at the door, ran inside.

A telegraph instrument was clicking mournfully in the corner.

A hot stove was in another corner, and sitting near it was a lad of about Dick's age, clad in mountain jeans, and lounging in an old cane-bottomed chair.
But Dick's quick glance saw that the boy was bright of face and keen of eye.

He promptly drew out his papers and said: "I'm an aide from the Northern regiment of Colonel Newcomb at Townsville.