A scream of mortal agony rang through the old shed, and Ike
Slump landed on the floor with half a ton of rails pinioning his lower
limbs.

CHAPTER XXIII

A CRITICAL MOMENT

If the rails under which Ike Slump lay had not caught at their ends
with other rails, his limbs would have been crushed out of all
semblance. Ralph noted this at once, and as well the extreme peril of
the situation of the enemy who, a minute previous had been gloating
over his helplessness.

"Don't move--for your life, don't move!" shouted Ralph, and he sprang
forward in front of the pinioned Ike Slump.

"I'm killed, I'm crushed to death!" bellowed Ike. "Oh, help! help!"

The weapon had fallen from his hand. Both arms wildly sawing the air,
Ike shivered and shrank like the arrant craven he was at heart.

"Do just as I say," ordered the young engineer breathlessly. "Don't
stir--don't even breathe."

Ralph had jumped to the end of the pile of rails. His quick eye
selected the one rail that was the key of the tangle, which, directed
wrong, would sweep the mass with crushing force across the pinioned
body of Ike. The rails were short lengths. But for this, Ralph, strong
as he was, could have done little or nothing. He got a grasp upon the
rail. Then he sung out.

"Slip when I lift."

"I can't,--I can't!" wailed Ike.

"You've got to--now!"

Ralph gave a tug at the rail. There was an ominous grind and quiver as
the others interlocked. He made a tremendous lift, one which strained
every sinew and started the perspiration from every pore.

"I'm numbed, I'm all crushed!" snivelled Ike; nevertheless he managed
to crawl out, or rather slip out from under the uplifted rail. He
rolled on the dirt floor of the shed, making a great ado. It was just
in time, for Ralph felt his eyes starting from his head. He dropped
the heavy mass he had sustained and staggered back, well-nigh
overcome.

As his breath came back to him, Ralph glanced particularly at Ike. The
latter was completely absorbed in his own sufferings. Ralph could
discern from the movements of his limbs that neither of them was
dislocated and apparently no bones were broken. Still, he realized
that they must be badly bruised and that Ike was disabled, at least
for a time.

"I'm going for help," he said simply, and darted from the shed. Ike
yelled after him to protest against desertion, but Ralph paid no
attention. He planned to get to friends while Evans was still away,
and he