“What did you run away on the engine for, then?” I demanded, willing, if possible, to accept his explanation.
“You got me into the scrape, and I hardly knew what I was about. I’m ruined now, and it won’t do for me to go back.”
“You can go where you please; but give me that pocket-book, Christy, or we’ll finish the business here,” I continued, raising the pistol again.
“Of course I’ll give it to you,” he answered, handing me the pocket-book. “But I’m afraid to go back myself.”
I put the treasure into my pocket, and felt that I had won the day. Christy jumped from the engine, and disappeared in the woods.
CHAPTER VI.
ON THE LOCOMOTIVE.
I was entirely satisfied with myself as I put the pocket-book into my breast pocket, and carefully buttoned my coat. I felt as though I had really done “a big thing,” allowing the phrase to mean even more than boys usually attach to it. How my father would rejoice to see that money again! How thankful he would be for the success which had attended my efforts!
The pocket-book was in my possession, and I was too much excited to look into it. I was somewhat afraid, if I did not keep both eyes open, that Christy would come out of the woods and undo the work I had accomplished. I could hear him forcing his way through the underbrush as he retreated; but I still kept the revolver where I could make use of it if occasion required. It seemed to me then that my quarrel with Mr. Waddie had been a fortunate circumstance, since the possession of the pistol had enabled me to recover the pocket-book. I was rather thankful to the scion for his agency in the matter, and willing, when the time of settlement came, to make some concessions, if needful, to his vanity and pride.
Christy had piled the wood into the fire-box for a hard run, and the locomotive was hissing and quivering with the pressure of steam upon it. By the unwritten law of succession, the care of the machine devolved upon me, and I am willing to confess that I was not displeased with the task imposed upon me. To run the engine alone, with no one to volunteer any instructions or limitations to me, was a delightful duty; and I was so absorbed by the prospect that I gave no further thought to the pocket-book. It was safe, and that was enough.