The Broncho Rider Boys with Funston at Vera Cruz | Page 5

whistle gave

the danger signal, and Donald threw over the coupling lever and put on
the brake. The coaches slowed quickly down, but the engine and
express car dashed in between the horsemen stationed on either side of
the track.
Prepared for what they knew was coming, the engineer and fireman had
thrown themselves down on the floor of the cab, while Adrian, Billie
and the three guards poured a volley into the robbers as they passed and
several horses lost their mounts.
This fire was followed by a fusillade from the horsemen and a minute
later the engine, striking an unspiked rail, rolled completely over into
the ditch, wrenching itself clear from the express car, which, after
bumping over the ties for several seconds, suddenly ceased its antics
and glided smoothly along.
As by a miracle it had run completely over the space from which the
rail had been loosed and landed upon the good track, down which it
now sped.
So unexpected was the change from ties to track that Adrian and Billie
were unable for a few moments to understand what had happened.
Then Billie rushed to the door and seized the hand brake.
"Grab hold and help stop this car," he yelled to Adrian, "or there is no
knowing where we'll land."
Adrian hastened to obey, but the wrench that had been given the car
when the engine broke loose had put the brake out of commission and
the car sped on.
The three Mexican guards now appeared on the platform and gazed
wildly up the track where they could see the fight going on between the
bandits and their companions.
"What shall we do, Señor?" asked one of them.
"Search me," from Billie. "How long is this grade?"

"It is down hill all the way to Pitahaya."
"How far is that?"
"Ten kilometers from Pachuca."
"That must be about three miles farther," said Adrian.
"Correct," from Billie, "but unless it's a mighty steep up-grade the other
side of Pita-what's-its-name, we're going so fast we'll not stop till we've
run away past it."
"Well, what of it? We can coast back, can't we?"
The car gave a lurch to one side that almost threw the boys off the
platform.
"We're certainly going some," called Adrian. "Hang on!"
And hang on they did until they dashed past the little station of
Pitahaya and after several minutes began to slow down.
"This is a little better," Adrian finally remarked as the car showed some
sign of coming to a stop.
"Yes, indeed," from Billie. "I suppose we'll come to a dead stop soon.
Do you think she'll start back on her own hook, or shall we have to start
her?"
"We'll soon see," and see they did, for a couple of minutes later the car
came to a stop.
For some minutes the five occupants of the car waited to see if it would
start back down the grade. When it did not they got off to decide what
could be done.
"It's a mighty steep hill," Billie ventured. "Looks as though the five of
us ought to start it. Let's try."

The five put their shoulders against the car and pushed with all their
might, but it refused to budge.
"If we only had a crowbar," said Adrian, "we could start it in a jiffy.
Suppose some of you look in the car. There might be one there."
The three Mexicans jumped to obey.
Directly they appeared in the doorway with a large claw-bar in their
hands.
"Will this do?" asked one.
"Sure! Throw it off," said Billie, "and I'll soon start the old caboose."
Picking up the bar, Billie inserted the claw under one of the wheels
while Adrian stood with his hand on the car rail ready to spring aboard.
At the first attempt the claw slipped and nothing happened, but at the
second attempt the wheels yielded a little.
"This time she'll go," Billie called. "All aboard!"
Adrian sprang onto the car as Billie bore down upon the bar and the
wheels began to revolve.
"Never mind the bar," cried Adrian as he saw that Billie was raising the
implement to throw it onto the platform. "Jump aboard!"
Billie started to obey, but the advice came too late. As he dropped the
bar it struck one end of a tie, flopped over and hit him on the shin.
"Wow!" he yelled, grabbing his ankle with both hands.
"Never mind your leg," shouted Adrian. "Jump on or you'll be left."
Billie tried to obey, but the car was now under headway and although
he sprinted his best, he was soon left behind.

Adrian started to jump off the car, but seeing his intention Billie called
to him not to do it.
"I'll get there some time," he called. "Just