xclaimed. "De train am wrecked. The ingin
and one ob de baggage cars did fall off these track, plump, splash,
right in de water."

"That's what the crash and splash and jerk was that we felt. The
water was so high that it probably came up on the tracks here, and the
engine and baggage car jumped the weakened trestle into the water. I
wonder how it was it didn't pull the rest of the train into the water
also," said Mr. Ludlow.

Just then the conductor and a brakeman passing from the next car
through their own explained what had occurred to Mr. Ludlow and the
other interested listeners.

First lighting the gas lamps to dispel the semi-darkness, the
conductor said, "Sir, you see the lightning struck the train right
between the first passenger car and the baggage, severing the
connection, and leaving the engine and baggage car free to go ahead.
They did, and running a little farther ahead it jumped the track, but
no one was hurt. The shock somehow set the brakes, and brought the
remaining cars to a stop. It's lucky we held to the tracks, sir, it is
indeed."

"Did anyone in the passenger cars get hurt?" questioned Mr. Ludlow.

"No, sir, only a few fainted," answered the conductor.

"What are we going to do now? We have no power to go ahead, and we
can't even go back. We can't move. Are we to stay right where we are,
conductor?"

"For a time, we must," was the answer.

"When is another train due here?" questioned Mrs. Calvert.

"A train is due to come through this way in an hour and a half,
madam," said the conductor. "But that will not help us any to go
ahead. We have sent word back and may expect help from the nearest
station. Some arrangement can likely be made to switch us off on a
branch road, and by a circuitous route we can get back again to our
line."

"And how about our concert to-night?"

"If help is promptly sent we may get you there on time."

"We were due at five o'clock," said Mr. Ludlow.

"We can't promise you anything definite now," said the conductor, as
he went about his duties.

"All we can do is to just sit still and hope for aid, and that it will
come in time," said Mrs. Calvert.

"I'm afraid that's all, except to be thankful that we were not
killed," suggested Mr. Ludlow.

The exact idea of their position was finally grasped by all,
and everyone breathed a little prayer for having been saved so
miraculously. They all quieted down and prepared to sit there and
wait, and hope for the