The man took a good grip, murmured something which sounded like a prayer, and pulled.
Nothing happened.
“Well, that's queer!” muttered Hawkins. “Doesn't it seem to have any effect?”
“Nope.”
“Well, then, try that small one at your left. Pull it back half way.”
The man obeyed.
For a second or two the Alcomotive emitted a string of consumptive coughs. One or two parts moved spasmodically and seemed to be reaching for the engineer. The man dodged.
Then the Alcomotive began to back!
“Here! Here! Something's wrong!” cried Hawkins, as the accursed thing gathered speed. “Push that back where it was.”
“Nit!” yelled the engineer, picking up his coat and running to the side of the car. “I ain't going to make my wife a widow for no darned invention or no darned job! See?”