With a rumble the train came in sight.
When it was but a few yards away the young gymnast felt a sudden shove from behind.
He lost his balance and fell from the platform directly in front of the oncoming locomotive.
To the onlookers it seemed that the boy must surely be killed.
He rolled fairly and squarely upon the railroad tracks, and the oncoming locomotive was barely a dozen feet from him.
The engineer, who was preparing to stop, jerked the lever to come to an instantaneous halt, but it was of no avail.
On and on rolled the heavy engine, with its long train of cars.
“The boy will be killed!”
“Oh! oh! Isn’t that awful!”
Many turned away, unable to endure the awful sight.