The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 21 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

O32 transmitted it to the engineer by the bell cord. The engine gave several quick, short gasps, and the long train pulled slowly out, Dash nimbly catching the rear platform as it passed him. The last car was a sleeper, and fortunately the gentle- men's smoking room was in the rear end, so that Dash had the company of a number of passengers there for an hour or so while they waited for their berths to be made up and chatted with each other. When they had retired he was left alone, with nothing but the noise of the rushing train and his own thoughts for com- pany. Even though it was a novelty to him, time passed slowly enough. Had he been on other than a through ex- press train. the frequent stopping and announcing of sta- tions would have been a diversion, but the Pacific Express made stops few and far between, and then only at the most important points. Though his position did not demand that he shoulé remain at the rear of the last car during the entire trip, he was re- quired to be somewhere near the end of the train, so that he could go back quickly with his red lamp in case of its sud-_ den stoppage at other than its scheduled stations. ‘This was necessary to protect his train against one which might be closely following. In addition to the red lantern, each flag- man is supplied with torpedoes, which are fastened to the ball of the rail, and fusees which are lighted in thick or foggy weather. The torpedoes, according to the number put down, indicate 1f the track is clear, or the train is to follow with cautior, while the fusee, which burns for a certain length of time, tells to the train following just how many minutes the train which left it has been yone. Dash had not for gotten to provide himself with these nec- essaries for signaling, though he hoped that no necessity would arise for using fiem. , He made several trips forward to the next car, and ex- changed a few words with the next brakeman and conduc- tor Freemaff. # throw off the sleepy feeling that would come over him, but he soon found himself back at his origi- nal post at the rear end of the last sleeper. Fora while he sat in the smoking room, but’when that was finally turned into a sleeping apartment for the Pullman conductor, he had » to sit outside on a stool in the lavatory. Tiring of this, he stood up, looking through the glass of the door at the receding roadbed and glistening rails, which appeared like a swiftly flowing stream with bands of silver confining it, as they were revealed by the reflection of the hight from the ear. @ This also became monotonous, but there seemed to bea fascination about it, for as often as he turned away to his seat something seemed to impel him to resume his position and watch the rails vanishing into the night. Suddeng@ the hehts of a station flashed by. and as he watched them with idle curiosity fast fading from sight. he saw a bright red light burst into view and swing almost into acitcle several times, as if frantically waved in some one’s hands. If mt had been stationary he would have thought nothing about it, except to suppose it was a sienal for some train following. But remembering the carelessness of the student operator in Ardley in letting a train go by which she had orders to hold, Dash quickly associated the waving of the danger signal with some such omission, though it may have been done for some other reason. Recalling the imperative order to all train employees, ‘' In case of doubt, always take the safe side,” he promptly pulled the bell cord to stop the train. He then started for- ward with his red lantern to report to conductor Freeman before going back with his signal. THE ARGOSY By the time he reached the forward end of the sleeper, the air brakes had brought the train to a standstill, and the conductor was coming out of the door of the next car. ‘Did you pull that bell, Dykeman?” he asked rather sharply. ‘* Yes, sir,” replied Dash hurriedly, starting down the steps to go back with his red light. ‘‘ I saw ared light waved just after we passed the last station, and I think the operator must have had orders for us and forgot to show his signal till we had passed.” ‘‘T guess you must be mistaken, and if *he didn’t show his light in time it’s his own fault,” growled Freeman in dis- pleased and skeptical tones; but nevertheless he followed Dash as he walked rapidly back to the station. Dash had given the signal to stop so promptly that the train was not more than a couple of hundred yards from the platform. There was no one in sight as they approached, and Dash began to have doubts if the signal he had seen was intended for his train. Surely, if it had been, somebody would be on the watch to see if it had been observed. ‘“ What did I tell you,” began the conductor, in disgusted tones, with a. shade of harshness in them, ‘* You must have been dreaming.” Dash said nothing, for his doubts would not sermit him to justify his action, and he felt slightly sheepish. He con- tinued on toward the station, however, determined to be fully satisfied he was mistaken before acknowledging it. ‘What is this?” he cried, as they both descried, almos¢t at the same instant, a dark body stretched out near the platform, within the circle of light from the station lamps. Dash quickened his steps, and was soon bending over a human form. It was face downward, and in one of the hands was clutched a lantern, the globe to which was shat- tered to bits. Only a glance at the remains of the latter was needed to tell them that it had been a red one, which was confirmation of the young flagman’s report. He quickly turned the body over, and the upturned face of a boy, not more than fifteen years of age, was revealed. The features were as set and white as if death had set its seal upon them, and Dash at first feared that life had de- parted. ‘¢ Here, let’s get him inside,” he continued, as he set his red signal down in the middle of the track to protect their train, and placed his hands under the boy's arms. Between them, the limp figure was borne into the small waiting room and laid on a bench. No one else was secn about the place ; but this was not strange, as it was late at night, and the station was about half a mile from the smal village from which it received its name. Conductor Freeman got some water from the cooler in the waiting room, and devoted his attention to restoring the operator (for it was undoubtedly he) to consciousness, if it was a possible thing. Dash entered the small, box-like office, the door of which was wide open, and glanced over the telegraph table. Au order blank, duly filled out, directing the operator at Deckerton to hold No. 6 until No. 9 passed, and bearing the “O.K.” and signature of the dispatcher, was lying there. ‘Look out, Freeman!" shouted Dash, as soon as he read the order, ‘‘ No. g 1s to pass you here. Get on the siding just as quick as you can, for she may be along any moment. I'll look after him.” Dash continued the work of resuscitation, while the con- ductor ran toward his train, signaling to back up to the sid- ing, the switch to which he turned. In a few moments the boy opened his eyes and stared up at Dash in bewilderment. EGOHMGOOOKSHEO wf wf