116 TUB SILVER FOX 



picion. The pace of the engine increased 

 momently, from a tremulous ^lide to a clat- 

 tering rush; every movement of the drivers 

 hand as he heightened the speed was an- 

 swered by a forward start, like a powerful 

 horse touched with the spur —unhampered by 

 carriage or tender it raced and swung. Slaney 

 held on with both hands, while the wind from 

 the open sides encircled and buffeted her, 

 ardent with heat snatched from the engine 

 fire, bitter with the frost that had turned the 

 bog drains into mirrors for the keen colours 

 of a winter sunset. There was not as yet a 

 signal worked on the line ; they must trust 

 to eyesight and pluck for the safety of an 

 engine driven at nearly its best speed ; and 

 the strident shriek tore the air incessantly, 

 and each curve or cutting meant a slacken- 

 ing and an instant of suspense before the 

 long vista opened clear, and they were away 

 again with that living bound that thrilled 

 Slaney's unaccustomed heart as only pace 

 can thrill. She began to understand that 

 they were racing against time and luck to 



