The train emerged from the tunnel. The car was leaving a trail of smoke behind it; flames were darting from the side doors and flowing back against the walls. Several of the men climbed into the tender, wiping their eyes and coughing. More followed them until the tender seemed overflowing.
"All out, I guess," said Ross. "Whew! that's a hot fire."
"Where's Shadrack?" demanded Tom. They glanced about from one to another.
Shadrack was not among them.
Tom jumped up to the edge of the tender and let himself down into the freight car.
"Shadrack!" he called; then louder, "Shadrack! Shadrack!"
There was no answer. The dense smoke choked and blinded him. "Shadrack!" He ran down the car, holding his breath and dodging the flames. "Shadrack!"
"Here!"
"Where?"
"Outside."
Tom swung out around the end of the car and found Shadrack on the ladder, climbing and fighting the waves of smoke which drifted back upon him, enveloping him, from the side door. He was dragging himself wearily from one rung to another.