A DANGEROUS RIDE 325 



greenhorn's telegraphic ignorance hovered over us 

 like a nightmare, whispering to our heated imagina- 

 tion that a locomotive headlight would swing around 

 the next curve, and " Number 4 " would commence at 

 once to scatter our blood on the top of Sam "Wright's 

 head. 



I have traveled in my time many railway miles, 

 some of which were long enough to worry my pa- 

 tience ; but my recollection knows of none that can 

 compare in length and worriment with those twelve 

 miles to M . 



They came to an end at last ; and when they did we 

 found Number 4 waiting for us on the siding. The 

 greenhorn had taken the message right ; our train was 

 safe ; and Sam Wright's head will have to wait awhile 

 longer for its sanguinary sprinkle. 



