At first it would not budge. The drawheads of the couplers of the two cars were straining because of the drag of the brake that he had but just set.
Teddy loosened the brake a little, then tried the coupling lever again.
This time it swung over with a bang. The lad lost his balance for an instant, and nearly went overboard.
"My, that was a close shave," he exclaimed, hanging desperately to the platform railing, the wind blowing about him in a perfect gale.
"Hello, I wonder what has become of our friends?" laughed the
Circus Boy to himself.
Teddy had uncoupled Car Three from the others in their rear, and the cars of his rivals were dropping behind rapidly. He could see the dim lights in the car nearest to him, but even these were rapidly disappearing. A few minutes later as the train swept around a bend, the rival advertising cars disappeared from sight. Teddy knew that they would stop in a few minutes, and lie there stalled.
Teddy Tucker had done a very serious thing, but in his zeal he thought he had accomplished a great feat. Well satisfied with his efforts the lad entered his own car softly, undressed in the corridor and crept quietly to bed. In a very short time he was snoring, sleeping the sleep of peace and innocence.
Teddy hardly moved again that night, until he was roused out by
Phil at three o'clock the next morning.
The lad grumbled sleepily and finally tumbled out rubbing his eyes.
Phil stepped out to the rear platform before dressing, for a breath of the fresh morning air.