Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/948

124 doubled up in his seat, and then to Ralph, lying prone on the floor of the cab.

"Fairbanks—Fogg!" fairly shouted the conductor. "Why, what can this mean?"

"Foul play, if I'm a judge," spoke Clark definitely. "Fairbanks! Fairbanks!" he shouted, stooping over and lifting Ralph in his strong arms. "Here, brace him in his seat."

"Water!" gasped the young engineer in a choking tone. "My throat is on fire! What has happened?"

"Nothing alarming," answered Clark reassuringly, "only—I'm glad I happened to be here."

Ralph's mouth and throat seemed burning up. The water he drank only partially allayed his frantic thirst. It was with great difficulty that he could arouse himself from a lethargy that seemed to completely paralyze both body and mind. As the moments passed, however, he succeeded in rallying into something like normal. But as yet he was unable to fully understand just what had happened.

"He needs something to stimulate him," declared the conductor, and stepping into the cab he hastily ransacked the fireman's bunker. "Aha!"

His tones announced a discovery—likewise a