"Loco's hit a big drift," said one. "I guess the engineer won't butt her
through."

"He'll surely try; Jake hates to be beat," another remarked, and the
caboose began to shake as the train ran backwards down the line.

A minute or two later there was a savage jerk and a furious snorting.
The caboose rolled ahead again, faster than before, for the wheels had
cut a channel through the snow, and somebody said, "Watch out! Hold
tight when she jumps!"

The speed slackened, a jarring crash ran backwards along the train, and
the caboose tilted as if the wheels had left the rails. Tools and sacks
of provisions rolled across the inclined floor, which suddenly sank to
a level, and a man who had fallen from his bunk got up and opened the
door.

"She's bedded in good and fast. Guess Jake will be satisfied now," he
said, and laughed when a whistle rang through the snow. "Nobody could
hear that a mile ahead, and as she's not over the divide it's some way
to camp. I reckon we'll stop here until they dig us out."

Soon afterwards some more men came in, covered with snow. Then the door
was shut, the stove filled and a lamp lighted, and Charnock resigned
himself to spending another night in the caboose. After all, it was as
warm as the shack, and he reflected with some amusement that Festing
probably did not expect him to be punctual. The latter knew his habits,
and no doubt imagined that he would find the comfort of the homestead
seductive. But Festing did not know Sadie, who had sent him back within
the promised time. He enjoyed his supper and slept well afterwards.
In fact, he did not waken until a stinging draught swept through the
caboose and he saw that it was daylight. The door was open and he heard
voices outside. He recognized one as the foreman's, and presently the
fellow came in.

"D'you reckon you're here for good, you blamed hibernating deadbeats?"
he asked the occupants of the bunks. "Turn out and get busy before I put
a move on you!"

The men got up, grumbling, and Charnock buttoned his skin-coat and
jumped down into the snow. He sank to his knees, but went deeper before
he reached the engine, round which a gang of men were at work with
shovels. It was not his business to help them and he floundered on up
the track they had made until he crossed the summit and saw the bridge
in the distance. Half an hour afterwards he met Festing and thought he
looked surprised.

"You didn't come with the boys to dig us out," Ch