Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/1002

178 showers of sparks like a. As she slid the splits at the crossing and got down to real business, the display was very noticeable.

"I'd say that some of our old time enemies were doctoring the fuel, if it wasn't that the crowd is off the job after that last drubbing I gave Hall and Wilson," remarked the fireman. "I can't understand it. That draft is pulling the coal up through the flues fast as I can shovel it in. Thunder!"

With a yell the fireman of No. 999, as he opened the furnace door to throw in more coal, leaped to one side.

A cyclonic stream, like the sudden blast of a volcano, poured out into the cab.