The boys, meanwhile, boldly crept up the ladder and landed on top, where they quietly sat down, with their legs dangling over the side. After the train had gone a mile or so the conductor mounted the last coach and walked forward.
"Hi 'ave me orders to allow no one without a permit," he said.
"Well, you ask Lieutenant Moore whether we can ride or not," said Alfred.
"Hey, but it must be in writing," he answered.
"Yes; we know that; we will get the written permit as soon as we get to the other end of the line where the lieutenant is," said Ralph, with an assuring nod.
"Blime me if this isn't irregular," he said.
"Yes, it may be," answered Alfred. "It isn't exactly regular to ride on top, but we haven't been invited to have a seat in the caboose," said Ralph.
"Caboose! caboose! did you say? Hi never heard of it," replied the conductor.
"Never heard of a caboose?" said Alfred. "That's queer; I thought all railroad men knew what that meant."