Part 41 (1/2)
”I--I don't know,” answered Tad. ”Yes, I do too. It--it was a car returning on the other track for a load of ore.”
The lad's knees went weak under him when it came to him that he had only a second before dragged the unconscious figure of the young engineer from that very track.
Now still another sound startled them. It was a roar heavier than any that they had heard before, and as near as they could tell, it was from the direction that they had come.
”Hurry, Ned!” shouted Tad Butler fairly electrified by the thought that suddenly flashed over him.
”What is it? What is it?”
”I--I don't know, but I think it's a car of ore rus.h.i.+ng down the grade toward us.”
”We're dead ones, then!” cried Ned.
”Be quick, Ned! Grab Walt and run as you never ran before!
”On, on! Keep to your right so you don't get on the return track. Oh, Hurry!”
Tad had already gotten into action. Once more grasping the guide by the arms, the lad ran backward with his heavy burden, with almost marvelous speed under the circ.u.mstances.
He was none too soon. Back of him he could hear Ned stumbling over rails and ties with his burden. Then came the heart-rending crash.
The car of ore had plunged into the wreck of their empty car, hurling rocks in all directions. Had they remained where they had been, there would have been none left to tell the story of their experiences.
”I guess it's all over,” shouted Ned. ”But, there will be more, soon, and some of them may hit us.”
In obedience to Tad's command, Ned dragged Walter along a few rods further, where on a curve both boys laid down their burdens.
Tom Phipps under the rough treatment that he had received was stirring and making an effort to sit up. Tad helped him along by slapping him vigorously between the shoulders. Ned was shaking Walter almost savagely.
”Wake up, Walt! Wake up! What's the matter with you?”
Walter groaned.
By this time Tom Phipps had partially pulled himself together.
Tad's heart leaped with joy.
”Walt will be all right in a minute, I guess,” Ned informed him.
”And so will Mr. Phipps.”
”Where am I?” asked the young engineer.
”We've had an accident, Mr. Phipps,” replied Tad. ”How do you feel?”
”As if I had been put through the ore mill. Did we have a smash?”
”I should say we did?”
”Who's hurt?”