_other_
conductors."

Slowly Cullin fumbled for it, twiddled it between his fingers, and
finally, half reluctant, restored it. At that instant, faint, distant,
but distinct, came the sound of the whistle of the belated No. 4.
"That's for Spearman's now," thought Geordie, but so tense had been the
scene that for a moment no man spoke.

Then Toomey gave tongue.

"She'll go by here kiting," said he. "Ten miles down-grade and a
two-mile straightaway from Cimarron Bend, out yonder." Again the
whistle, and nearer. "That's for the crossing at the creek. By gad,
she's just jumping! Hang onto your hair when you see her head-light and
scramble for the cab."

Another whistle, two short blasts and a long. Nearer still, yet still
out of sight; and then presently there shot into view, over a mile
away to the west, even though the gray light of the summer's dawn now
overspread the landscape, the glare of a head-light. It was No. 4
coming full tilt.

And then--surprise! From steam-drum and 'scape-valve jetted clouds of
flat-driven steam. No. 4 had suddenly "shut off," and was now coasting
downhill like a huge toboggan.

Another blast came from the whistle. "By Jove, she's going to stop!"
said Cullin. "What on earth's the meaning of that?"

With prodigious shriek and roar of steam, with clinching, crunching
air-brakes on the glistening tires, with sparks flying from the
whirring wheels and signal-lanterns swinging at the side, No. 4 came
rushing in. As the baggage-car shot by, a little group of men stood by
the doorway about a recumbent figure, and the conductor whisked up his
lantern and started after it. When nearly opposite the caboose the big
train settled to a stop. Four pairs of strong arms lifted the prostrate
figure from one car to the other. There were brief, hurried words. A
lantern waved; the whistle sounded two quick blasts; No. 4 slowly
started, quickly gained speed, and, almost as quickly as it came, was
steaming away for Buffalo Butte, its pale lamps gleaming dimly in the
gathering light. The conductor came running forward.

"Pull out for Argenta, Ben!" he shouted. "Say, young feller, drop
shovelling and come back. I've got nobody to help me, and here No. 4's
loaded me with a half-dead man to be taken home. There's a row at the
mines. Every man is out from Silver Shield!"

CHAPTER VI

FIRST AID TO THE WOUNDED

Slowly, jerkily, the Time Freight began to gather headway as the big
Mogul pulled, hissin