"I can't do any more," he said; then calmly leaned his arms on the wheel awaiting results.
Billy did not utter a word. He, too, possessed strong nerves.
The man and the boy stood there calmly watching the train ahead of them. Nearer and nearer to it did they draw. They could see the engineer and fireman leaning from their cab, looking back. Phil waved a hand to them, to which the engine crew responded in kind.
"Now for the smash, Billy, old boy!" muttered Phil with the smile that no peril seemed able to banish from his face.
"Yes; it's going to be a close shave."
The last car of the express train was now abreast of them. They seemed to be right upon it. So close were they that Phil thought he could stretch out a hand and touch it.
Suddenly it was whisked from before them as if by magic.
The engineer had given his engine its final burst of speed.
"Hang on tight!" shouted Phil. "We're going to sideswipe them now!"
"Off brakes!"