Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/857

Rh out cheerily—he was well acquainted with the young railroader, for Ralph had fired freights to this point over the Great Northern once regularly for several weeks. "I'll send in a bouncing good report with lots of pleasure."

"Thank you," said Ralph. "We've demonstrated, anyhow."

"You have, Fairbanks," returned the official commendingly.

"Only, don't lay any stress on my part of it," said Ralph. "Any engineer could run such a superb monarch of the rail as No. 999. If you don't tell them how much the experiment depended on our good friend, Fogg, here, I will have to, that's all."

The fireman flushed. His eyes had a momentary pleased expression, and he glanced at Ralph, really grateful. He almost made a move as if to heartily shake the hand of his unselfish champion.

"You're too modest, Fairbanks," laughed the assistant superintendent, "but we'll boost Fogg, just as he deserves. It's been a hard, anxious run, I'll warrant. We've got a relief crew coming, so you can get to bed just as soon as you like."

The passenger coaches were soon emptied of the through passengers. A local engineer,