Much obliged for
its use. The last up-train is probably waiting on the siding at
Freshwater to pass the late lamented; consequently a walk of about a
mile will bring you a means of transportation back to Sequoia. Walk
leisurely--you have lots of time. As for myself, I'm in a hurry, and
my room is more greatly to be desired than my company, so I'll start
now."
He lifted his hat, turned, and walked briskly down the ruined track.
Shirley made a little gesture of dissent, half opened her lips to
call him back, thought better of it, and let him go. When he was out
of sight, it dawned on her that he had risked his life to save hers.
"Uncle Seth," she said soberly, "what would have happened to us if
Bryce Cardigan had not come up here to-day to thrash your woods-
boss?"
"We'd both be in Kingdom Come now," he answered truthfully.
"Under the circumstances, then," Shirley continued, "suppose we all
agree to forget that anything unusual happened to-day--"
"I bear the young man no ill will, Shirley, but before you permit
yourself to be carried away by the splendour of his action in cutting
out the caboose and getting it under control, it might be well to
remember that his own precious hide was at stake also. He would have
cut the caboose out even if you and I had not been in it.
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