"Yes, sah," answered the porter, with a grin. "Please step to another seat, sah."
"Come," said Dave, and arose and took Billy Dill to the opposite side of the sleeping-coach.
The old tar dropped into a vacant seat and watched the porter as he began to make up the berths. From a smile his face changed to a look of wonder, and when he saw the clean sheets, blankets, and pillows brought forth he could scarcely control himself.
"Cables, capstans, an' codfish!" he murmured. "Thet beats the dinin'-room, don't it? Say, maybe they hev got a ballroom on board, an' a church, an' a--a--farm, an' a few more things."
"Not quite," answered Roger, with a laugh. "But there is a library, if you want any books to read."
"Beats all! Why, this here train is equipped like a regular ship, ain't she?"
"Almost," said Dave. "Here are two berths; you can take one and I'll take the other."
The boy said he preferred the lower berth, and Billy Dill swung himself up in true sailor fashion to that above.
"Makes me think o' a ship!" he declared. "I know I'll sleep like a rock!" And half an hour later he was in the land of dreams, and then the boys also retired.
Morning found them well on their way to Chicago, and just before noon they rolled into the great city by the lakes. Here they had two hours to wait, and spent the time in getting dinner and taking a short ride around to see the sights.
"This is as far west as I have been," said Roger. "The rest of the journey will be new to me."
"I once took a journey to Los Angeles," said Phil. "But I went and returned by the southern route, so this is new to me also."
"I have never traveled anywhere--that is, since I can remember," put in Dave. "But I am sure I am going to like it--that is, if I don't get seasick when I am on the ocean."
"Oh, I suppose we'll all get our dose of that," responded the senator's son.
"Maybe not," said Billy Dill. "Some gits it, an' some don't."
Nightfall found them well on the second portion of their journey to San Francisco. There was an observation car on the train, and the whole party spent hours seated on camp-chairs, viewing scenery as it rushed past them. Now and then, for a change, they would read, and Billy Dill would smoke, and the boys often talked over what was before them.