and the others all agreed that this
must be so.

Less than an hour later the last spark had been extinguished. Then men
climbed all over the trestle to ascertain just how much it had been
weakened by the fire.

There was a difference of opinion among them, some declaring that it was
as good as ever, and the others shaking their heads solemnly, as they
prophesied all manner of dire things if the through train, with its
heavy sleepers, attempted to go over.

While some gangs of men were hastily bracing up a weak spot with what
material lay close at hand, kept for an emergency of this sort, a
freight train that happened to be on a siding at the station, was pushed
out on the trestle to discover how the situation stood.

The chums watched operations with their hearts in their mouths,
figuratively speaking; but no catastrophe followed, and it began to
appear that, after all, the express might pass over in safety.

Another trial was given, this time with the heavy freight engine
attached to some of the largest flats, laden with steel beams. The
trestle bore the strain handsomely.

"That settles it, fellows. Back to our car for us. We're going across!"
sang out Jerry as he turned and made off down the track.

"How long were we here?" asked Bluff, sighing, and they knew he was
thinking again of the weary hours that must elapse ere he could open
that big trunk in order to ascertain whether his fears in connection
with that beloved hunting-knife had any foundation or not.

"Three hours, about. Give them another half hour to get moving, and
there you are. Hark! The engineer has started to whistle. That is to
tell the passengers a start is intended; and here they come, rushing
pell-mell, fearful of getting left." And Frank laughed at the energy
displayed by some of those who had been aboard.

It was a critical time when the train slowly pushed out upon the long
trestle. Everybody doubtless held their breath, and doubtless many a
heart throbbed with suspense.

"It's all right, boys! We're safely over!" exclaimed Jerry, as, looking
out of the open window, he could see that they had passed the critical
stage.

"Oh! I'm so glad! I don't know when I've felt such a flutter about my
heart. But, anyway, I secured a cracking good snapshot of that burning
bridge. Every time we look at it we can remember our hold-up," observed
Will, sighing with relief.

It was now about ten o'clock at night, and on account of the delay,
trav