Steve Croly's cheeks flushed with anger.
At that moment the hoarse roar of the whistle shook the air, telling everybody in the busy town that it was time to go to work.
It was not yet time to start the engine, but Croly sprang to the valve-gear to let on the steam.
CHAPTER II.
THE ONE-EYED FIREMAN.
Larry divined the young man's purpose, and he needed no better evidence that Steve Croly knew very little about an engine than this thoughtless act.
The youth reached the valve-gear at the same time, and the hands of both grasped the wheel.
"What are you going to do?" cried Larry, holding on with all his strength, for the other was trying to turn the wheel.
"I'm going to start the engine. Didn't you hear the whistle? What are you waiting for?" snapped Croly.