"We ought to be at Clowdry in five minutes now," said the brakeman.
"Much obliged," Overton answered. "Thank goodness, Noll."
By the time that the train slowed up both recruits were out on the rear platform of the car, each gripping his canvas case.
"Clowdry! Clowdry!" bawled the brakeman.
Hal and Noll dropped off into the black night. The only light was in the station, past which the train slowly rolled.
There was no one in the station save the telegraph operator. On these mountain divisions, where accidents may so easily happen, a night operator is kept at every station.
Hal and Noll stood on the station platform until the train had pulled out. Then, as their eyes became more accustomed to the darkness, they made out what appeared to be a small hotel on the other side of the track. There were two or three other buildings near by that looked like dwellings.
"Clowdry is a pretty large city," observed Noll, with a grin.
The real town was nearly a mile away.
"I wonder where the fort is," returned Hal. "We'll ask the operator."