“I don’t think I’ll go,” returned Tom Rover. “While the train is standing still I think I’ll try to catch a nap. You boys can go if you want to. But keep out of trouble and don’t get left when the train starts again.”
The spot was one where the road crossed a small stream. Along this watercourse there was a fringe of trees and brushwood. The land was comparatively level and covered with sage and prairie grass.
Quite a crowd of people were collected at the front of the train, and the boys soon saw what the trouble was. Two freight cars were off the track and resting in just such a position that the other train could not get by.
“They’ve sent for a wrecking crew and think they’ll be here inside of half an hour,” said one of the men, in answer to the boys’ questions. “It won’t take them very long to straighten matters out when once they get at work.”
Having viewed the wreck for several minutes, the boys saw a footpath leading along the stream, and Andy suggested that they take a short walk in that direction.
“I don’t know what state we’ll be walking in,” said the fun-loving Rover. “But it will certainly be a state that suits me.”
“I’ll tell you what we might do, Andy,” suggested his brother, with a twinkle in his eye. “You were saying something this morning about missing your bath. What’s the matter with going in swimming here?”
“Gee, that would be an idea!” was the ready response. “Let’s do it!”
“No, you don’t!” ordered Jack. “You don’t know a thing about that stream in the first place. And in the second, how would you feel if you were in the water and suddenly heard the train whistle to go ahead?”
“I’d grab up my clothing and run,” answered Andy.