y suddenly. Foster thought there was a side-track ahead, where
the freight would wait until a train going in the other direction
crossed the switches. If he could reach the spot in time, he might
save himself a long walk.

His knee hurt as he stumbled over the gravel at the best pace he could
make, but that did not matter much, A few minutes' sharp pain could be
borne, and he set his lips as he ran, while the perspiration dripped
from him and his breath got short. This was the consequence of leading
a soft and, in a sense, luxurious life, he thought, but when he tried
to walk next day he understood the reason better. Still, he did not
mean to be left behind in the frozen bush, and as he reached the curve
was relieved to see lights flicker about the track. When he stopped a
man flashed a lantern into his face.

"Looks as if you'd made good time, but the track's pretty rough for
breaking records on," he remarked.

"That's so," Foster answered breathlessly. "I wanted to get here
before you pulled out, because I'm going on with you."

"No, sir; it's clean against the rules. You can't get a free ride now
on a C.P. freight"

"The rules apply to hobos. I've got a first-class ticket to Montreal."

"Then why in thunder are you running back to Fort William?"

"I'd have been satisfied to make the next station. You see, I fell off
the train."

Another man, who wore big gloves and grimy over-alls, had come up, and
laughed when he heard Foster's explanation.

"You sure look pretty lively after falling off the Montreal express.
Guess you must have done that kind of thing before? But our bosses are
getting blamed particular about these free rides."

Foster opened his wallet and took out a strip of paper, folded in
sections, but it was not by accident he held two or three dollar bills
against it.

"There's my ticket. I bought it at the agent's office, but I expect
you know what would have happened if I'd got it on board. Anyway,
you've heard of the drummer who beat his passage from Calgary to
Toronto at the cost of a box of cigars."

The brakesmen grinned, because the hint was plain. It is said on
Western railroads that when a conductor collects a fare he throws the
money at the car-roof and accounts to the company for as much as sticks
there.

"Well," said the first man, "I guess we'll take our chances and you can
get into the caboose. You'll find blankets, and a bunk where you can
lie down if you take of