The conductor of that train need not have been much alarmed at falling in with a "picnic" of any moderate size, for he would have had room in his train to seat a good part of it, at least.
The boys had no difficulty in getting seats "all together." That is, they found four empty ones, two on each side, right opposite; and when they had turned over the front seats, there they were. Ford and Frank were facing Dabney and Dick on the right; and the two Hart boys were facing each other on the left, each with a whole seat to himself.
Almost the first thing Joe did, after taking possession, was to lean over, and whisper,—
"Look out, Fuz,—keep your secret."
"Catch me spoiling a good joke."
The other party seemed disposed to keep pretty quiet for a while; the first break of any consequence, in the silence, coming when Ford Foster exclaimed,—
"Dab, it was right along here."
"What was?"
"Where the pig had his collision with my train, first time I was over here."
"Did you hear him squeal?" asked Frank, as he peered through the window.