"Come on, now, and not a word nor a sound out of you, fellows!" commanded Phil.
Once outside, Phil threw off the brakes and then the foreman of the section gang brought his knowledge to bear on the situation. He directed the men to get their crowbars under the rear wheels of the coach. After several attempts they succeeded in prying the car ahead a few inches. After repeated efforts they got the car moving slowly.
Now the foreman took a third crowbar; jumping from one side to the other he relieved the men until the car was making very fair progress under its human power.
Teddy had been standing on the platform, rubbing his palms in high glee.
"Going to push her all the way to Marion like this?" he demanded.
"You keep still up there unless you are looking for trouble," warned Phil. "Get off the platform. Think we want to drag you along, too?"
Teddy hopped down, thrust his hands in his trousers pockets, and watched the operation of moving the heavy car.
It was slow work, but inch by inch Number Three crept nearer to the station.
"Let me know when we get right on the grade, so I can slap on the brakes," ordered Phil.
"I'll let you know. You'll know without my telling you,
I reckon."