They had rolled back into the cab, which was rocking and swaying as it plunged along over an uneven bit of road. Around curves whizzed the engine, with the long train reeling along behind.
Frank wondered that some of the train hands had not noticed they were passing crossings without whistling and did not come forward to investigate.
Merry did not wish to severely injure the crazy engineer, but the man fought on so desperately that it became evident something must be done to subdue him.
Again Frank caught him by the ears and banged his head down on the floor. Old Joe groaned and snapped at his antagonist’s wrists as a mad dog snaps at everything within reach.
Bang! bang! bang!
Frank kept it up, having resolved to jar the senses out of the man.
Hicks did not beg, but, after a time, he lay there stunned, so that Merriwell was able to open the box seat and get out some stout pieces of rope, with which he tied old Joe’s hands behind his back. Before this was fully accomplished the man recovered and tried to resume the fight, but Frank was able to handle him then.
Merry did not stop till the engineer was tied so securely that there was no danger of his being able to free himself.
“There!” sighed Merry, with relief, “I think that’ll hold you for a while.”
Then he blew a signal that brought the conductor hurrying over the top of the cars to see what was the matter.