"Say, Fred, is she goin' back?" he whispered.
"Bully for her; she's got sand, she has. Reckon you could run a spell and talk to her at the same time?"
Brockway's nerves tingled at the bare suggestion. "Try me and see," he said.
"It's a go," said Maclure. "Get her over there on my side, and I'll smoke me a pipe out o' Johnnie's window. Swear to bob I won't look around once!"
"Let me promote you, Miss Vennor," Brockway said, helping Gertrude to the foot-board; "Mr. Maclure says you may have his seat for awhile."
Gertrude acquiesced unquestioningly. For some cause as yet unclassified, acquiescence seemed to be quite the proper thing when she was with Brockway, though docility with others was not her most remarkable characteristic. When she was safely bestowed, Maclure rang the bell and gave Brockway his instructions.
"Next stop's Red Butte--twenty-seven miles--thirty-eight minutes o' card-time--no allowance for slowin' down at Corral Siding. And if you can twist 'em any quicker, do it. Turn her loose."
The engineer betook himself to the fireman's box, and Brockway's resolution was taken on the spur of the moment.
"Do just as I tell you, Miss Vennor, and I'll give you a brand-new experience," he said, quickly. "Take hold of this lever and pull--both hands--pull hard!"
Gertrude did it simply because she was told to, and it was not until the engine lunged forward that she understood what it was she was doing. "Oh, Mr. Brockway--I can't!" she cried; "it won't mind me!"
"Yes, it will; I'll show you how. Push it back a little; you mustn't tear your fire. There; let her make a few turns at that."
Gertrude clung to the throttle as if she were afraid it was alive and would escape, but her eyes sparkled and the flush of excitement mounted swiftly to cheek and brow.
"Now give her a little more--just a notch or two--that's enough. You needn't hold it; it won't run away," Brockway said, laughing at her.
"I shall go daft if I don't hold something! Oh, _please_, Mr. Brockway! I know I shall smash everything into little bits!"
"No, you won't; I sha'n't let you. A little more steam, if you please; that's right. Now take hold of this lever with both hands, brace yourself and pull steadily."
The reversing-lever of a big ten-wheeler is no child's plaything, and he stood ready to help her if she could not manage it. But Miss Vennor did manage it, though the first notch or two had to be fought for; and Maclure, who had quite forgotten his promise not to look on, applauded enthusiastically.