Dolf moved away a step. "Let's get back to town."
"Let's try it," Bill said suddenly. The lazy drawl was gone from his voice.
The challenge sent a thrill along Bert's spine. His blood quickened, and even the hesitating Dolf was stirred. Yet they both held back, eager to try the adventure, lured by the element of danger, daunted by the unaccustomed risk.
"Who'll do it second if I do it first?" Bill demanded.
The challenge could not be ignored. "I will," Bert said recklessly.
Dolf felt that they were looking at him and weighing his courage. His heart sank. "I will, too," he said, and wondered if they guessed how much he was afraid.
The headlight of an advancing locomotive sent silver ribbons of light ahead of it along the steel rails.
"Here comes my chariot," said Bill. He stepped out across the intervening tracks. They saw the engine pass him, saw his body lost in the darker background of the trains, saw the last car of the string approach—and then saw a form swaying on the step and holding to the handrails as the car went past.
"He did it," cried Dolf.
The hazard had been conquered and made to seem easy. Their fears were swept away and they
