“Go ahead, Mr. Reade.”
“Then, sir, let Mr. Hazelton and myself ride out along the track first, that we may see if the whole course is safe.”
“That heavy train just went over at fast speed and nothing disastrous happened,” protested the president.
“Probably the entire course is still safe, sir?” Tom assented. “Yet, on the other hand, it is possible that the fast moving train may have started the quicksand at some point. The next object that passes over, even if no heavier than an automobile, may meet with disaster. Mr. Hazelton and I can soon satisfy ourselves as to whether the roadbed has sagged at any point along the way. We shall ride nothing heavier than mustangs.”
“There is something in what you say, Mr. Reade. Go ahead. We will wait until we have your report.”
Tom and Harry accordingly mounted, riding off at a trot. Yet at some sections of the line they rode so slowly, studying the ground attentively, that it was fully half an hour before they had crossed the further edge of the Man-killer.
“The engineers are signaling us, Mr. President,” reported General Manager Ellsworth. “They are motioning us to go forward.”
Accordingly the party of railway officials entered their automobiles and started slowly off over the Man-killer.
“Ride back and meet them, Harry,” Tom suggested. “Show them that one point that we noticed.”
Hazelton accordingly dug his heels into the flank of his pony, starting off at a gallop.