nce to those who needed it more than the fair, silent form
before him, when an almost imperceptible sigh gladdened his heart, and
caused him to renew his exertions. Procuring another cup of water, he
persistently sprinkled the fair face and chafed the temples of his
charge. With his handkerchief he washed away the blood-stains, and
ascertained that she was only slightly cut just above the ear.

Cheered by the success which had rewarded his efforts, he continued to
bathe and chafe till the gentle stranger opened her eyes. In a few
moments more she recovered her consciousness, and cast a bewildered
glance around her.

"Where is my father?" said she; and, as she spoke, the fearful nature of
the catastrophe dawned upon her mind, and she partially rose from her
recumbent posture.

Lieutenant Somers could not tell where her father was, and his first
thought was that he must be beneath the wreck of the shattered cars. For
the first time, he looked about him to measure with his eye the extent of
the calamity. At that moment he discovered the engine, with the forward
part of the train, backing down the railroad. Only the two rear cars had
been precipitated over the embankment; the accident having been caused by
the breaking of an axle on the last car but one. The shackle connecting
this with the next one had given way, and the broken car had darted off
the bank, carrying the rear one with it, while the rest of the train
dashed on to its destination.

Of course the calamity was immediately discovered; but a considerable
time elapsed--as time was measured by those who were suffering and dying
beneath the _debris_ of the train--before the engine could be stopped,
and backed to the scene of the accident. Lieutenant Somers had seen the
lady's father go forward, and had heard him say he was going to the
smoking-car; he was therefore satisfied that he was safe.

"He will be here presently," he replied to the anxious question of the
fair stranger.

"Perhaps he was--oh, dear! Perhaps he was----"

"Oh, no! he wasn't. The smoking-car was not thrown off the track,"
interposed the young officer, promptly removing from her mind the
terrible fear which took possession of her first conscious moments. "Are
you much hurt?"

"I don't know; I don't think I am; but one of my arms feels very numb."

"Let me examine it," continued our traveler, tenderly raising the injured
member.

He was not deeply skilled in surgery; but he knew enough o