Now, however, as he heard a locomotive whistle, a new
thought struck him.
"Come on down to the railroad tracks, Nat," he said.
"What for?"
"Maybe you can take a journey for your health--if the freight train
stops at the water tank."
"I--er--I don't understand."
"You will--if the train stops--and I think it will."
The three boys pushed off across the fields to where the railroad tracks
were located. Here was the very spot where Dave had been picked up years
before. Not far off was a water tank, where the locomotives usually
stopped for their supply. A long freight train was just slowing down.
Many of the cars were empty and the doors stood wide open.
"Up you go, Nat!" cried Dave.
"Me? Where?"
"Into one of the empty cars. You are going to have a ride for your
health."
"Not much! Why, that train don't stop short of Jack's Junction, twelve
miles from here!"
"I know it. You can walk back--the exercise will do you good."
"I--er--I don't want to go!" And Nat made as if to run away. But Dave
and Phil held him.
"But you are going!" cried Dave. "In you go!"
He and Phil forced the money-lender's son toward one of the open cars.
Still protesting, Nat was shoved up and through one of the open doors.
The door on the other side was closed.
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