THE RELIEF TRAIN
"What are your plans, Mr. Ringold?" asked Blake, as he and his chum,
with C. C., sat in the Pullman car, talking over the situation.
"I really haven't had time to make any very definite ones," answered the
manager. "I'm taking out a supply of money, I don't mind saying that,"
he went on, and Mr. Piper suddenly gave a quick look about the coach,
and uttered a stagy hiss, as a caution to be silent.
"What's up now?" asked Joe.
"I don't think it's wise to speak so plainly about money," replied the
gloomy comedian.
"You might be robbed, Mr. Ringold."
"Did you see any suspicious characters following us?" the manager wanted
to know.
"Well, I wouldn't say they were exactly suspicious," went on the actor,
"but I did see two men hanging around us when we were having our baggage
checked in the depot. They seemed very anxious to know where we were
going."
"Is that so?" asked Mr. Ringold, and he seemed unusually interested.
"What sort of looking chaps were they?"
The actor described them. Blake and Joe looked at each other quickly.
"I don't seem to recognize them as friends of mine," went on the
manager, musingly.
"I should say not!" cried Blake. "Certainly not friends! Say, I'm sure
those men were James Munson, and one of his tools, Jake Black. They made
a lot of trouble for us, and at the fire, last night, Munson and I had
an argument. Do you think they can be following us?"
"It's just as well to be on the safe side," said Mr. Ringold. "Suppose
you boys take a look through the train, and see if you can pick them
out. I don't like the idea of being followed by a rival moving picture
man, when I may have a chance to get some exclusive and valuable films."
Blake and Joe each went through half the train, but they saw no signs of
Munson, or his crony. The boys even penetrated to the smoking car, where
the two suspects would probably stay, but they were not there.
"False alarm, I guess," reported Blake, when he and Joe had completed
their search.
"Well, they were hanging around, all right," declared the sad actor,
"though they may not be here now. But, just the same, I wouldn't mention
about having so much money--not in public. Something might happen, Mr.
Ringold."
"I think there is little danger. I have only a small part of it in cash.
The rest is in letters of credit, that are only good when I have signed
them. I'm not worrying.
"But as to plans. The only thing I see to do is to go direct to
Hannibal, and see if we can get on the trail of the missing ones there."
"That does seem to be about the only thing to do," agreed Blake. "I wish
we were there now. It's maddening to know you've got a lot to do, and
not be able to do it. I want action!"
"And so do I!" cried his chum.
However, there was nothing for it but to wait until they reached the
flooded district. On and on sped their train, making but few stops. When
they did reach a large city, the boys would go out and buy the latest
papers, to get news of the flood along the Mississippi.
The reports were not reassuring. The rains still continued at intervals,
and the rivers, not only the Mississippi, but tributary streams also,
were rising, which added to the swollen condition of the big waterway.
Pitiful tales of suffering of men, women and children began to filter
in, and it was reported that relief measures were being undertaken by
the various states. In some places the National Guard was being ordered
out, to aid in rescue work, and several detachments of the Regulars had
been sent to the flooded districts.
The first day and night passed without incident to our friends speeding
to the West. No trace was seen of Munson, or any of his tools, and it
was certain that if he had not boarded the train in New York, at which
station the actor said he had seen him, the rival was behind, and not
ahead of our friends.
"What's the matter, Blake?" asked Mr. Ringold, on the second day out.
"Are you restless?" for the youth was pacing up and down the aisle of
the car.
"Yes, I am, Mr. Ringold," he answered. "I wish I had something to film.
I'm tired sitting around."
"You didn't mind it when we were out in the country," remarked Joe.
"No, but then we were on a vacation, and we were entitled to a rest. But
now we're back on the job again, and I want action. I almost wish
something would happen, to give me a chance to make a film."
"Don't say that! Don't say that!" cried Mr. Piper, with upraised hand.
"Don't wish for anything to happen, or it may. This train is going very
fast, and there may be a smash-up any minute."
Hardly had he spoken, than there sounded the sudden application of the
air brakes. The wheels groaned and whined under the pressure, and the
train came to a quick stop.
"There!" cried the gloomy comedian. "What did I tell you? That's what
you get for wishing for an accident!"
"I didn't wish for one," replied Blake, quickly, as he reached for the
carrier containing his moving picture camera, "and I don't believe it is
an accident. Anyhow, nothing has happened to us," he added. "But I'm
going to see what it is. Come on, Joe."
The two boys, as well as Mr. Ringold, the actor, and several other
passengers, hurried from the car, as the train had now come to a full
stop. And what Blake and Joe saw was a danger signal set against the
train, on the approach to a long bridge that spanned a turbulent stream.
"What's the matter?" asked Joe, of a trainman.
"Bridge is weakened by high water," was the answer. "The bridge-tender
must have discovered it suddenly, for he flashed down the signal against
us in a hurry. The engineer had to put on the emergency air, in order to
stop in time."
They all walked forward along the track to the first span of the bridge.
It looked to be all right, but the rushing, muddy water that flowed
beneath it was close to the ties and rails.
"I think one of the piers is weakened a little," said the bridge-tender.
"And if the water rises much more she'll tear away, sure. I've sent for
the repair gang. They're only five miles away, and they may be able to
brace it temporarily."
"Then we'll be delayed?" asked Mr. Ringold.
"I'm afraid so," answered the conductor. "I can't take any chances with
this train on a weak bridge."
Of course he was right, but everyone fretted over the delay, especially
our friends, who wanted to start their rescue work.
"Well, I've got something to film, anyhow!" cried Blake. "I'll make
pictures showing the repairs to the bridge."
The construction and wrecking crews were soon on hand, and a careful
examination disclosed the fact that the bridge had been slightly
weakened.
"But we can brace her temporarily--that is, unless the water rises
suddenly," said the foreman.
"Our first taste of the flood," murmured Blake, as he and Joe set up the
camera to make moving pictures.
The boys were much interested in the work of strengthening the bridge,
and got some good views of it. The work took several hours, but was
finally completed enough for the train to proceed slowly--in two
sections.
The locomotive took over part of the cars, shunted them to a switch, and
then pulled over the remainder. The train was then made up again, and
proceeded. But considerable time had been lost.
The night passed without incident, and on arriving at the junction
point, a large city, where they were to change trains, the boys found a
further chance to make films.
"What's going on?" asked Blake, as he saw, in the depot, a number of
soldiers boarding the cars. Boxes, bales and barrels were also being
rushed into baggage and express cars.
"One of the relief trains, for the flood victims," said a depot
attendant. "They're rushing food and supplies to the homeless ones, and
the soldiers are going to help in the rescue work."
"More pictures, Joe!" cried Blake. "We've got time before our train
leaves to make a short film of this rescue train."