They coaled up at the limits, but did not stop for water, the tank being three-quarters full. Ralph made tests of air valve and water pump, shook down the furnace, and the locomotive quivered under high-steam pressure as they started on their special run.
A flagman shouted something at them as they passed a switch.
“What was he saying?” inquired Griscom.
“I couldn’t hear him,” said Ralph.
“Thought he pointed at the engine—at the cow-catcher,” remarked Trevor.
“Everything all right there,” assured Ralph, and in the brisk action of the hour the circumstance was forgotten. 78
Twenty, thirty, forty miles made, and as they slowed down Griscom turned to Trevor, a proud glitter in his eye.
“How is that, sir?” he inquired.
“Famous!” cried the young man cheerily. “Badly shaken up, and this seat up here is rather bumpy, but I enjoy it, just the same. Going to stop?”
“Yes, crossing. Only for half-a-minute, though.”