Fortunately the train was a long one, and by the time the last car was going by I had managed to scramble to my feet. I made a dash for the rear platform, and grabbed the iron rail with both hands.
The speed of the train was greater than I had anticipated. The rush of wind took my breath from me, and try as hard as I could I found it impossible for me to raise myself from my highly perilous position. The speed of the cars increased every second, and it became more and more difficult for me to retain my hold.
I shivered as I thought of what the consequence would be if I allowed myself to drop. No doubt I would be dashed to the track, and seriously injured, if not killed.
My head soon began to whirl, and I felt that I could not hang on for any great length of time.
While this thought rushed through my brain, the door of the car opened and the conductor came out. He saw at once what was up, and bending down, he grasped me under the shoulder, and lifted me up the steps and onto the platform.
“What do you mean by trying to get on the train while we are running?” he demanded.
For a moment I could not answer, and in that space of time he shoved me into the end of the car and followed.
“There ought to be a law to arrest fellows like you,” he went on. “If you had been killed I would have been blamed for it!”
“It—it was necessary that I get aboard,” I gasped.
“How necessary? There is another train in half an hour.”