Phil was on his feet in an instant.
“What is it?” he asked anxiously.
The engineer looked up, showing a white, scared face in the dim light of the solitary lantern.
“Running a little hot, sir,” he replied haltingly.
Phil felt the moving parts. They were cool. He looked up in surprise at the engineer and saw him put his hand quickly in his shirt.
Impulsively he grabbed the man by the wrist and held his hand to the light.
“Sand!” he cried in anger.
“Get this man out of here, O’Neil,” he suddenly ordered, forcibly pushing him from the engines and taking the man’s place at the throttle.
“None of your monkeying now,” O’Neil assured the engineer. “You’ve given enough trouble already.”
The engine bearings were thoroughly oiled and the throttle opened wide. Fortunately, Phil had detected the man in time, for if he had succeeded in getting the smallest quantity of sand in the bearings, the engines must have stopped.