Ralph took in the situation in all its bearings. He realized that he confronted a young giant. To oppose his prodigious muscular strength in even battle would be to be hammered to a jelly.
The occasion called for action, however. Ralph reflected for a bare minute, and then he "waded in."
With a rush he made a slanting dive for the brutal bully, aiming squarely for his feet.
Exercising all the muscle of which he was capable, Ralph grasped his antagonist's ankles, took him off his guard, gave him a sudden trip, and sent him toppling backwards.
With a yell of consternation and pain Young Slavin went crashing through the window sash.
[CHAPTER VIII--A BAD LOT]
Mort Bemis gave an astonished gasp as he saw his crony disappear like magic through the window sash.
His respect for the nerve and prowess of his successor at the switch tower was immensely increased. He spoke not a word, being stupefied and cowed.
Ralph started to leave the room, unmolested now. A sudden outcry checked him. He proceeded to its source--the open window.
Below it on the ground a stirring scene was in progress. It seemed that his masterly fling of Young Slavin had landed that juvenile Hercules directly on top of the individual Ralph had noticed lying asleep under the window, swathed in horse-blankets.