The trainman did not appear to mind the giddy swaying of the stock car.He permitted Teddy to walk on the running board while he himself stepped carelessly along on the sloping roof of the car, though not relaxing his grip on the collar of Teddy Tucker.
Bidding the boy to hang to the brake wheel, the brakeman began climbing down the end ladder, so as to catch Teddy in case he were to fall.After him came the Circus Boy, cautiously picking his way down the ladder.
"Any of you fellows know this kid?" demanded the trainman, flashing his lantern into Teddy's face."He says he's with the show.""Put him off!" howled one of the roustabouts who had been sleeping on the flat car under a cage."Never saw him before.""You sit down there, young man.Next stop, off you go," announced the brakeman sternly.
"I'll bet you I don't," retorted Teddy Tucker aggressively."We'll see about that.""Quit your music; we want to go to sleep," growled a showman surlily.The brakeman put down his lantern and seated himself on the side of the flat car.He did not propose to leave the boy until he had seen himsafely off the train.
"How'd you get wet?" questioned Tucker's captor."Some fellows ducked me."The trainman roared, which once more aroused the ire of the roustabouts who were trying to sleep.
They had gone on for an hour, when finally the train slowed down.
"Here's where you hit the ties," advised the brakeman, peering ahead."Where are we?""McQueen's siding.We stop here to let an express by.And I want to tell you that it won't be healthy for you if I catch you on this train again.Now, get off!"Teddy making no move to obey, the railroad man gently but firmly assisted him over the side of the car, dropping him down the embankment by the side of the track.
"I'll make you pay for this if I ever catch you again," threatened Teddy from the bottom of the bank, as he scrambled to his feet.
Observing that the trainman was holding his light over the side of the car and peering down at him, Teddy ran along on all fours until he was out of sight of the brakeman, then he straightened up and ran toward the rear of the train as fast as his feet would carry him, while the railroad man began climbing over the cars again, headed for the caboose at the rear.