He ran to it, but found it locked
from the outside.
"Hi, you let me off!" he cried, as the train gave a jerk and commenced
to move.
"Don't jump, you might hurt yourself!" cried Dave, and shoved the door
shut.
"Hope you have a pleasant journey!" called out Phil, merrily.
"And a nice walk back!" added Dave.
The freight train quickly gathered headway. Dave and Phil ran down by
the side of the tracks. They saw Nat shove back the door about a foot
and peer out. He did not dare to jump, and, seeing them, shook his fist
wildly.
"He's off!" cried the shipowner's son, and then commenced to laugh.
"Dave, that was just all right! He's booked for quite a journey."
"Twelve miles, or more, and he'll either have to wait for a train, and
pay his fare back, or walk."
"Exactly. And if the train hands catch him, maybe they'll give him the
thrashing he deserves."
"They'll hustle him off pretty lively, that's sure. Well, one thing is
certain, he won't bother this party any more," added Dave. "Let us get
back."
They hurried to the house, and as they did so the freight train passed
out of sight and hearing. They thought they had seen the last of Nat,
but they were mistaken.
"Where have you boys been?" asked Laura, when they reappeared, after
having brushed off their clothing.
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