FORWARD AGAIN
Getting the injured aboard the relief train was the first care of
everyone, including the wrecking crew, that had come in response to the
telegraphed appeal for aid. Tenderly the men and women, and one or two
children, were carried into a car that had been temporarily converted
into a hospital.
Several physicians had come on the relief train, and a number of
trained nurses, so that those with hurts were assured of every
attention.
"I'm afraid we'll have to operate on that man," Frank heard the
physician who had been on the wrecked train say to one of the relief
doctors.
"Which man is that?"
The first doctor pointed to Shackmiller, who was being carried into the
hospital car.
"He has a fractured skull," went on the doctor who had made the first
examination. "He's the worst hurt of the lot. It was a mighty lucky
accident otherwise."
Two engines had come with the relief train, and also a big wrecking
derrick. Now that the passengers--injured as well as those not
hurt--were being looked after, the wrecking crew turned their attention
to saving as much of the railroad property as possible.
By means of a switch, the empty freight cars were pulled away, so that
no more of them, save those entangled in the locomotive, would burn.
Then the passenger coaches were pulled out of the way, some of them
having to be put back on the rails. Others were lifted to one side, as
so much junk, for in a railroad wreck, after the saving of life, next
in importance comes the "clearing of the line," so that traffic may not
be held up any longer than necessary.
With as many of the cars cleared away as possible, the wrecking crew
next attacked the fire. There was no water with which to fight it, but
chemical extinguishers were used, and with long poles and axes the
burning timbers were torn apart, so as to afford the flames less to
feed on. In a remarkably short time, comparatively speaking, the scene
of the wreck was much changed, and something like order was brought out
of chaos.
"Get aboard! Get aboard the relief train, those who wish to go on to
their destinations!" called the conductor.
"I guess that means us; doesn't it?" asked Andy.
"Sure it does," asserted Frank.
"Unless you're going to back out," added Billy.
"Not much!" exclaimed Frank. "We've started and we're going to see this
thing through. We said we'd help you, and we will; eh, Andy?"
"That's what! We'll find out where the treasure of Golden Peak is, or
know the reason why."
This was just the spirit the Racer boys always showed. Andy might be
quick and impulsive, but he had something of the quiet determination of
Frank, and together they made a "team" that was hard to beat.
All the injured having been made as comfortable as possible, the
other passengers filed into the cars of the relief train, leaving the
wrecking crew to do their work. By means of a freight switch the relief
train could get back on the main track and pass around the wreck.
"Well, our baggage is all right," announced Frank, as he saw their
trunks, among a number of others, taken from the smashed car and put
aboard the other. "Now we must send word to father and mother that we
are safe, so they won't worry."
"That's right," agreed Andy.
"As my uncle doesn't know just what train I'm coming on he won't be
alarmed," said Billy, "so there is no need to send him word. But you
fellows ought to wire home, for there'll be all sorts of newspaper
stories of this smash."
The conductor readily undertook to forward any messages which
passengers might wish to send, and the Racer boys filed theirs with
him. Then the relief train left the sad scene, carrying many who had
thankful hearts that it was no worse, for the escape of nearly all the
passengers had been little short of miraculous.
"Well, we're on our way again," remarked Andy, as they made themselves
comfortable in the car.
"And there is the little old lady, and the man whose valises you
switched," said Frank. "But I guess the trick is spoiled, Andy, for
neither of them seem to have any baggage."
This was true, the satchels of the pair having been missed in the
confusion. The owners were too excited to notice it. Andy's plans had
come to naught.
"Oh, well, I don't care," he said. "A joke would lose its flavor now,
anyhow. I'll get a chance to play another before we reach the prairies,
and if I don't, I can have some fun with the cowboys."
"You want to be careful about that," warned Billy. "A cowboy is a bad
customer to play a joke on, unless he takes it in the right way. He's
very likely to get back at you worse than you expect."
"Oh, I guess I can take care of myself," said Andy, airily.
"That's just like him," murmured Frank. "He'll get his good and plenty
some day, and it'll teach him a lesson."
Little was talked of in the train save the recent accident. Some who
had loved ones in the hospital car made frequent trips to it to learn
how they were doing, and most of the reports were favorable.
"How's the man who was hurt in the boiler explosion?" asked Billy, as
the doctor who had first attended the wounded ones came through their
car.
"Not very well," was the grave answer. "We want to operate, but we
can't risk it on the train. We are hoping for the best."
Almost unconsciously Billy put his hand in his pocket where he carried
the valuable paper, and there was a look of relief on his face as he
felt its folds.
The rescue train ran to the nearest station which, fortunately,
happened to be in a city where there was a hospital. To this
institution the worst of the injured were taken, others being sent to
hotels. Those who wished to continue their journey were to be provided
with accommodations on the next regular train, and our boys took
advantage of this offer.
They delayed long enough, however, to receive a congratulatory message
from Mr. and Mrs. Racer, and there was added a caution to be very
careful in the future.
"Mother put that in, bless her heart!" said Andy, and though he spoke
lightly there was a trace of tears in his voice.
"I--I wish I had one to send me a message," said Billy; and there was
longing in his tones.
That night saw our heroes once more speeding to the West and in sleep
they did their best to forget the harrowing experience through which
they had passed that day.
"And we're leaving Shackmiller behind," said Billy. "I won't worry so
much now."
"Well, we're making time," observed Frank, after breakfast the next
morning. He looked out at the scenery speeding past. The rapid click of
the rails told that indeed the engineer was sending his train ahead at
high speed.
"I hope we don't hit anything," remarked Andy.
"Here! Drop that kind of talk!" exclaimed his brother, playfully
punching him. "We've had enough of a hoodoo so far--don't mention it
again."
Owing to the fact that they had to change to another railroad, they
were obliged to spend several hours, the next day, in a large city.
They took advantage of the stop to stroll about, and even go to a
theatrical matinee, which effectively broke up the weariness of waiting.
"This beats boning away at Riverview Hall," said Andy, as they came out
of the playhouse, and headed for the railroad station.
"Oh, school wasn't so bad," declared Frank. "We had good times there;
didn't we Billy?"
"Sure we did. I'll never forget how you fellows threw a scare into me
the night you had on the black beards. I sure did think Shackmiller and
his gang had me cornered."
"And that was what made you act so frightened all the while?" asked
Frank. "Fear of losing that paper you carry?"
"That was it. I'm not half as nervous as I was. By the way, I think
I'll send my uncle a message."
"What about?" asked Andy.
"Oh, just to let him know we're on our way, and that Shackmiller has
been left behind."
They filed into the nearest telegraph office, and Billy soon had the
message written out. As he was paying for it, the operator remarked:
"Sageville, Kansas, eh? I don't often get messages for there. But this
is the second one that has passed over the wires to-day for that
place."
"It is?" exclaimed Billy. "Was the other one to my uncle?"
"I don't remember. I just remember the name Sageville. The message only
passed through this office. It didn't originate here. It came from
Northup, in Pennsylvania."
"Northup--Pennsylvania!" exclaimed Billy. "Why, that was where the
relief train brought us after the wreck--where the injured were left.
And a message went from there to Sageville, you say?"
"That's right," assented the operator. "Quite a coincidence."
"Can you tell me who the message was to, and who sent it?" asked Billy
eagerly.
The agent shook his head.
"I'm sorry," he said, "but I'm not allowed to give out any information
like that."