They could not see more than a hundred feet up the track, for at that point the road curved round a bluff. But they could see a column of smoke rising high in the air and the humming of the rails grew steadily louder.
Cora was pale as death, but she rose to the emergency and took command.
“Run up the track as fast as you can, Bess,” she directed, “and wave your hands to the engineer to stop.”
Bess was off at once and Cora turned to Belle.
“We have plenty of time, dear,” she said soothingly, “if you do exactly as I say. Keep your foot perfectly still while I unlace your shoe.”
By a great effort of will, Belle did as she was told, leaning her hand for support on Cora’s shoulder as the latter knelt at her feet.
Bess rushed madly up the track and around the curve, and her eyes dilated with horror as she saw the train, now only a few rods away.
She screamed wildly and waved her hands frantically.
Her voice could not be heard above the rattle of the train, but fortunately her signals were seen and the engineer shut off the steam and put on the brakes.
With a great hissing and clamor the train swung round the curve and bore down upon the girls.