ng structure would give
way every instant. But finally the rails steadied, and partly righted;
and regaining his courage, Jack rose to his knees, and began working his
way forward from tie to tie, pushing the bicycle ahead of him.

Presently the rails became steadier. Cautiously he climbed back into the
saddle, and slowly at first, then with quickly increasing speed and
rising hope, pushed on. The vibration decreased, the track again became
even and firm. Suddenly at last the thunder of the river passed from
below him, and he was safely across.

A few yards from the bridge, and still in the mist, Jack peered down to
see that the oil can was safe. He caught his breath. Reaching out, he
felt about the little platform with his foot.

Yes; it was gone! The tipping of the car had sent it into the river.

As the significance of its loss burst upon him, and he thought of the
peril he had come through to no purpose, Jack sat upright in the saddle,
and the tears welled to his eyes.

Promptly, however, came remembrance of the Riverside Park station, a mile
ahead of him. Perhaps there was oil there!

Clenching his teeth, and bending low over the handlebars, Jack shot on,
determined to fight it out to the finish.

Meantime, at the main office the entire staff, including the
superintendent, the chief despatcher and Alex, were crowded in the
western windows, watching, waiting and listening. Shortly after Alex had
announced Jack's departure a suppressed shout had greeted the tiny light
of his lantern on the bridge approach, and a subdued cheer of good luck
had followed him as he had disappeared into the wall of mist.

Then had succeeded a painful silence, while all eyes were fixed anxiously
on the spot opposite where a light west wind, blowing down through a cut
in the hills, occasionally lifted the blanket of fog and dimly disclosed
the river bank and track.

Minute after minute passed, however, and Jack did not reappear. The
silence became ominous.

"Surely he should be over by this time, and we should have had a glimpse
of his light," said the chief. "Unless--"

An electrifying cry of "There he is!" interrupted him, and all
momentarily saw a tiny, twinkling light, and a small dark figure shooting
along the distant track.

A moment after the buzz of excited hope as suddenly died. From the north
came a long, low-pitched "Too--oo, too--oo, oo, oo!"

The train!

"How far up, Allen?"

"Three miles."

The superintend