o the train.

Ralph heard its whistle dangerously near. He looked up and down the
tracks. Ahead, a bridge crossed the tracks, and near it was a
framework with leather pendants to warn freight brakemen in the night
time. Towards this Ralph ran swiftly. Weak as he was, he managed to
scale the framework, gained its center, and sat there panting, poised
for the most desperate action of his young career.

The Accommodation train came into view. Ralph sat transfixed, knowing
that he would soon face death, but unmindful of the fact in the hope
that his action would save the lives of those aboard the picnic
train.

The Accommodation neared him. The young fireman got ready to drop. He
let go, crashed past the roof of the cab, and landed between the
astonished engineer and fireman.

"The picnic train--on the main, stop your locomotive!" he panted, and
fainted dead away.

CHAPTER XXIV

IN "THE BARRENS"

Ralph Fairbanks had taken a terrible risk, and had met with his first
serious accident since he had commenced his career as a young fireman.
When he next opened his eyes he was lying in his own bed, a doctor and
his mother bending solicitously over him.

Slowly reason returned to him. He stared wonderingly about him and
tried to arise. A terrible pain in his feet caused him to subside.
Then Ralph realized that he had suffered some serious injury from his
reckless drop into the locomotive cab near the picnic grounds.

"What is it, doctor?" he asked faintly.

"A bad hurt in one arm and some ugly bruises. It is a wonder you were
not crippled for life, or killed outright."

"The train--the picnic train!" cried Ralph, clearly remembering now
the incidents of the stolen engine.

"The Accommodation stopped in time to avert a disaster," said Mrs.
Fairbanks.

Ralph closed his eyes with a satisfied expression on his face. He soon
sank into slumber. It was late in the day when he awoke. Gradually his
strength came back to him, and he was able to sit up in bed.

The next day he improved still more, and within a week he was able to
walk down to the roundhouse. Forgan and all his old friends greeted
him royally.

"I suppose you have the nerve to think you are going to report for
duty," observed Forgan. "Well, you needn't try. Orders are to sick
list you for a month's vacation."

"I will be able to work in a week," declared Ralph.

"Vacation on full pay," continued the roundhouse foreman.

Ralph had to accept the