The officer in command of the train looked hurriedly about.
“Hicks!” he called loudly. “Hicks!”
There was no reply, and the officer shouted again. Then Hal stepped forward.
“If Hicks was your engineer,” he said, “there is no use calling him. He is dead.”
“Dead?” exclaimed the officer.
“Yes; that shell struck right beside him. The fireman also was killed.”
“Great Scott!” exclaimed the officer. “Then what am I to do? Hicks was the only engineer with us right now. The others have gone to their quarters, and by the time I could get them here it would be too late.”
“Well,” said Hal quietly, “if you want a volunteer, I am willing to tackle it for you.”
“You?”