We may land in the ditch or we may get stalled, but I am not
going to lie here and waste nearly a day. Let the other fellows
spend the time here if they wish. I reckon they will be
surprised in the morning, when they wake up and find Car Three
has dropped off the map."
Teddy uttered a long whistle of surprise.
"Don't you ever find fault with me again for doing a trick like
I played."
"What trick was that?" questioned Billy.
"Never mind. That's my secret. It isn't any of your affair,"
grumbled Teddy.
"Teddy, you get on the back platform. Keep your hand on the
brake wheel every second of the time. Keep your ears open.
When I jerk once sharply on the bell rope set the brakes tight.
If I jerk it twice, just apply them a little to steady the car."
"Pull the bell rope? Huh! There isn't any bell."
"I know that, but you can hear the rope slap the top of the
platform roof when I pull it. Now, get back there. Don't call
out to me, but attend to your business. I'll pull the cord when
I am ready for you to release the brake. We must get away from
here in a hurry."
Teddy hopped from the platform and ran to the rear, where he
awaited the signal.
Phil's plan was a daring one. For twenty-five miles the road
fell away at a sharp downgrade of sixty feet to the mile and in
some places even greater.
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