however, Alex too sprang into the car, as he did
so tearing off his handkerchief and stuffing it into one of the
water-cans. "I couldn't have held on another minute," he choked. "I
believe the handkerchief was burning."

Jack prepared to climb out to take Alex's place.

"No! Lay still!" interposed Alex. "The car will run by itself here.
There's a down grade."

Jack dropped back thankfully. "Isn't it awful," he gasped. "My eyes are
paining as though they would burst."

On rushed the car down the roaring, crackling tunnel of flames, groaning
and screeching like a mad thing. Tongues of fire began to lick over the
sides of the car at the cringing boys within.

Faster the car went. Presently it began to rock. "She'll be off the
track!" cried Jack at last.

"Lie farther over!" directed Alex above the roar, himself moving in the
opposite direction. The rearrangement steadied the car slightly, but
still it rocked and plunged on the long unused track so that at times the
boys' hearts leaped into their throats.

The heat was now terrific. The floor and sides of the car began to
blister and crack.

"We can't stand it much longer! We'll be cooked!" coughed Jack.

"Empty one of the cans over your head," Alex shouted. "Keep up a few
minutes longer, and we will be over the worst. It is the leaves and brush
that are making the heat, and we'll soon be where they have burned out.

"I think we are over the worst of it now," he announced a moment later.
"There's not so much crackling; and I don't think it is so hot."

Simultaneously the car began to leap less wildly, then perceptibly to
slow up. Alex at once prepared to climb out again. "I'll give her another
run," he said. But promptly Jack pressed him back. "No you don't! I'm
going to take my turn." And in another moment he was out in the full
glare of the still shrivelling heat, rushing the car on at the top of his
speed. A hundred yards he drove it, and scrambled back within, gasping
for breath. Emptying one of the remaining cans over Jack's head, Alex
sprang out and took his place.

A moment after, they struck a slight up grade. Alex uttered a joyful
shout. "Only a short run farther, Jack, and we're out of the woods!"

But immediately he followed this glad announcement with one of new alarm.

"The washout! I'd forgotten it! It's just ahead! The rails there almost
hang in the air!"

In a panic Alex slowed up. Jack climbed out beside him. "Let us rush it,"
he suggeste