Before starting out that night Joe had inquired of one of the men about the journey, and, learning that they were approaching his former home, the town of Bedford, he had looked up the route and the time of arrival at their next stopping place. He had a quick mind, and he remembered about where they should be at the time the accident occurred. In that way he was able to determine that, unless they struck something, they were in comparatively little danger.
"Off the track—that's all!" repeated Benny Turton as he looked down from his berth at Joe. "Isn't that enough? Wow! What's going on now?"
The train had stopped with a jolt. The air brakes, which the engineer had flung on at the first intimation of danger, had taken hold of the wheels with a sudden grip.
"This is the last stop," said Joe, and he smiled up at Benny. He could do so now, for he felt that their coach, at least, was safe. But he was anxious as to what had happened to the others. Helen, with many of the other women performers, was in the coach ahead.
Benny crawled down from his berth, and stood looking at Joe.
"It doesn't seem to worry you much," he remarked.
"Not as long as there's nothing worse than this," Joe answered. "You're not hurt, are you?"
"Only my feelings."
"Well, you'll get over that. Let's see what's up."
By this time the aisle of the car was filled with excited men performers. They all wanted to know what had happened, their location and various other bits of information.