"Right you are," from Donald. "If you and Billie are game enough
to try it, I say it is the proper thing. If they ditch the
engine, we will be back a ways and can run down to your
assistance. If they don't ditch you, we will have them between
two fires."
"Just what I thought," replied Adrian. "How about it, Billie?"
"I'm game. My head may be a little thick, but I can see just as
far through a two-inch plank as the next one."
"All right, then. Come on," and Adrian led the way into the car
ahead, while Donald and Pedro stood by to uncouple as soon as
they passed the clump of trees before alluded to.
Almost at the same instant several sharp blasts from the whistle
gave the danger signal, and Donald threw over the coupling lever
and put on the brake. The coaches slowed quickly down, but the
engine and express car dashed in between the horsemen stationed
on either side of the track.
Prepared for what they knew was coming, the engineer and fireman
had thrown themselves down on the floor of the cab, while Adrian,
Billie and the three guards poured a volley into the robbers as
they passed and several horses lost their mounts.
This fire was followed by a fusillade from the horsemen and a
minute later the engine, striking an unspiked rail, rolled
completely over into the ditch, wrenching itself clear from the
express car, which, after bumping over the ties for several
seconds, suddenly ceased its antics and glided smoothly along.
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