Brandon of the Engineers

By and by he rather doubtfully opened the throttle to its widest. If the

boiler primed again, he might knock out the cylinder-heads, but there was

a steep pitch in front that was difficult to climb. The short locomotive

rocked and hammered, the wheels skidded and gripped again, and Dick took

his hand from the lever to dash the sweat from his eyes.

They were going up, and he would be past the worst if he could get his

load round the curve ahead. They were half way round when there was a

clang behind him and the engine seemed to leap forward. Glancing over his

shoulder as he shut off steam, Dick saw the fireman gazing back, and a

wide gap between the concrete blocks and his load of coal. The couplings

had snapped as they strained round the bend and the truck would run down

the incline until it smashed through the sheds that held the grinding and

mixing plant at the bottom. He saw that prompt action was needed, and

reversing the machinery, gave the fireman an order in uncouth Castilian.

The fellow looked at him stupidly, as if his nerve had failed, or he

thought the order too risky to obey. There was only one thing to be done,

and since it must be done at once, Dick must undertake it himself. The

engine was now running down the line after the truck, which had not

gathered much speed yet, and he climbed across the coal and dropped upon

the rear buffer-frame. Balancing himself upon it, he waited until the gap

between him and the truck got narrower, and then put his hand on top of

the concrete and swung himself across. He got his foot upon the side of

the car and made his way along, holding the top of the block, while the

dust rolled about him and he thought he would be jolted off. Indeed,

there was only an inch-wide ledge of smooth iron to support his foot,

which slipped once or twice; but he reached the brake-gear and screwed it

down. Then, crawling back, he hooked on the spare coupling and returned,

breathless and shaky, to his engine. A minute or two later he brought it

to a stop and had got down upon the line when somebody called him.

Looking round, he saw Fuller standing near, and knew him as the man who

had given him the dollar in the American town. He had heard that his

employer had come out to see what progress was being made, but had not

yet encountered him. He did not notice Ida, who was sitting in the shadow

of the rock.

"You were smart," said Fuller. "There'd have been an ugly smash if the

blocks had got away down the grade. But why didn't you stick to the

throttle and send your fireman?"