wo each side, and one above the other.

It was what they called a mixed train, mixed that is of freight and
passengers--third-class in front, second next, then first, and a dozen
little iron freight cars of two kinds in front. In those days there
were neither tunnels nor bridges on that railway, and there was a
single seat on the roof at each end of first- and second-class
compartments reached by a ladder, for any passenger enamored of the
view. Even the third-class compartments (and they were otherwise as
deliberately bare and comfortless as wood and iron could make them) had
lattice-work shades over the upper half of the windows.

For the babu's encouragement, and to increase the panic of the
ticketless, the engineer was blowing the whistle at short intervals.
Passengers, released in quicker order now that a white official was
lending the two babus a hand, began coming through the barrier in
sudden spurts, baggage in either hand and followed hot-foot by natives
with their heavier stuff. They took headers into the train, and the
porters generally came back grinning.

"I see through the whistling stunt," Will announced. "My, but that
fellow on the engine has faith; or else the system's down real fine in
these parts! He won't be back for a week. Those woolly-headed porters
are going to save up his commission and hand it to him when he brings
the down-train in! The game's good: he whistles--passenger
runs--can't make change--pays two, three, four, ten times what the
job's worth--and the porters divvy up with the engineer. But good
lord, the porters must be honest!"

Presently a pale white man in khaki with a red beard entered our
compartment, and Courtney had to make room for him on the seat. He
apologized with less conviction of real regret than I ever remember
noticing, although the pouches under his eyes gave him a rather
world-weary look.

"Not another first-class berth on the train--every last one engaged.
Might be worse. Might have had to ride with Indians. Curse of this
country, Indians are. I'd rid the land of 'em double-quick if
government 'ud pay me a rupee a head--an' I'd provide cartridges! But
government likes 'em! Ugh! Ever travel in one compartment with a
dozen of 'em? Sleep in a tent with a score of 'em? Share blankets
with a couple of 'em on a cold night? No? You be glad I'm not an
Indian. One's enough!"

We made room for his belongings, and leaned from the window all on one
se