Had they hastened, Dan and Brad could have crossed ahead of the long, heavy freight. Instead, being in no hurry, they waited for it to pass.
The train rumbled by, moving slower and slower as it approached the station. Finally, it came to a jerky halt.
“Now we’ve got to wait,” Brad grumbled.
Dan did not answer. His gaze had fastened upon two lean figures. The men had emerged from behind the tool house on the railroad right-of-way. He recognized them as White Nose and Eagle Feather.
As Dan stared in disbelief, the two ran along the tracks. Finding an open boxcar, they leaped lightly inside. By now the boy had come to life.
“Quick, Brad!” he shouted. “We’ve got to stop them before they get out of town!”
The older boy also had recognized the two Indians. With Dan he darted to the boxcar whose door had been pulled shut from the inside.
The two Cubs pounded on the barrier, calling upon those inside to “open up!” When there was no response, Brad finally managed to shove open the heavy door.
“White Nose! Eagle Feather!” he called.
He could not see the two Indians anywhere in the dark interior of the car. At the same time, the freight’s heavy engine gave a sharp toot. The long string of cars began to move.