as if in the time of danger that
was his post of duty.

He saw the heavy mass of metal as it struck the pavement, and instantly
afterward was aware of what very few gave heed to because of the fact
that all eyes were fixed upon the building, from whence might naturally
be expected another explosion.

The nigh horse of the team, one that had been in service only a few
weeks, leaped forward in frantic terror, and by some strange mishap was
dragging his driver behind him.

At the moment Seth had no thought of possible danger to himself. His
mind was upon 'Lish Davis's peril to the exclusion of everything else,
and almost involuntarily he sprang toward the maddened animal, Dan close
at his heels.

It was by accident rather than good judgment that he succeeded in
gaining a hold of the bridle just above the bit, swinging himself
outward by aid of his elbow to avoid being struck by the beast's
forefeet.

His weight was not sufficient to bring the frightened animal to a
standstill instantly; but he succeeded in checking his speed so far that
the engineer of Ninety-four had time to come to his assistance, and
between the two the runaway was stopped.

A buckle on Davis's coat had caught in one of the rings of the harness,
and this it was which held him prisoner after having been thrown from
his feet by the animal's sudden plunge.

"Are you hurt?" Seth asked anxiously, still retaining his hold of the
bridle, and the driver replied grimly as he scrambled to his feet:

"A man is bound to get a few knocks after such a course of treatment;
but I reckon that all the harm which has been done is a little skin
broken here and there. Do you know, lad, it's a mighty dangerous thing
to jump for a horse in that fashion?"

[Illustration: SETH CATCHES THE HORSE. _Page_ 68.]

"I caught him all right, sir."

"Yes, that I know, else I wouldn't be standing on my feet this minute;
but suppose you had missed your hold? He would have had you under his
feet in a jiffy."

"But he didn't, so I can't see as that counts very much; but all the
same, I was willin' to take the chances."

'Lish Davis, having assured himself that he had spoken correctly so far
as personal injuries were concerned, took charge of the horse; the
engineer went back to his post, and Seth, fearing lest he should be
driven outside the line, was making his way toward the building once
more with Dan by his side when the driver shouted:

"Come back here, you young ratt