know it. Isn't it terribly dangerous? When anything happens, the men on the engine are almost always killed, aren't they?"
"When they are it's because they haven't time to save themselves. It's all nonsense – newspaper nonsense, mostly – about the engineer sticking to his post like the boy on the burning deck. A man can do whatever there is to be done toward stopping his train while you could count ten, and no amount of heroism could accomplish any more."
"I have often thought I should like to ride on an engine," Gertrude said.
"I wish I had known it earlier in the day; your wish might have been gratified very easily."
"Might it? I suppose they never let any one ride on the night engines, do they?"
Brockway caught his breath. "Do you mean – would you trust me to take you on the engine to-night?" he asked, wondering if he had heard aright.
"Why not?" she said, with sweet gravity.
The engineer had oiled his way around to their side, and Brockway spoke to him.
"Good-evening, Mac," he said; and the man turned and held up his torch.
"Hello, Fred," he began; and then, seeing Gertrude: "Excuse me, I didn't see the lady."
At a sign from Gertrude, Brockway introduced the engineer. "Miss Vennor, this is Mr. Maclure – one of our oldest runners."
"I'm very glad to know you, Mr. Maclure," said Gertrude, sweetly; and the man of machinery scraped his feet and salaamed.
"Mac, Miss Vennor thinks she would like to take a night spin on the 926. May we ride a little way with you?"
"Well, I should say!" assented Maclure. "Just pile in and make yourselves at home; and excuse me– I hain't quite got through oilin' 'round yet."
"Thank you," said Brockway; then to Gertrude: "We must find your father or Mrs. Dunham quick; we haven't more than a minute or two."
They ran back and fortunately came upon Mrs. Dunham and the collegian.
"Cousin Jeannette, I'm going to ride on the engine with Mr. Brockway," Gertrude explained, breathlessly. "Don't say I sha'n't, for I will. It's the chance of a lifetime. Good-by; and don't sit up for me."
"I'll take good care of her," Brockway put in; and before the astonished lady could expostulate or approve, they were scudding forward to the 926.
VIII
THE CAB OF THE TEN-WHEELER
Engineer Maclure was leaning out of the cab window, watching for the conductor's signal, when Brockway and Gertrude came up.
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