Ralph glanced at the clock and took an easy position on his cushioned seat. Everything was in order for a smooth run to twenty miles away. The Overland Express was on time, as she usually was, and everything was in trim for a safe delivery at terminus.
Fogg hustled about. He was a restless, ambitious being, always finding lots to do about cab and tender. His brows were knitted, however, and every once in a while he indulged in a fit of undertoned grumbling. Ralph watched him furtively with a slight smile. He knew that his companion railroader was stirred up about something. The young engineer had come to understand the quirks and turns and moods of his eccentric helper, just as fully as those of his beloved engine.
"I say," broke out Fogg finally, slamming down into his seat. "It's about time for something to happen, Fairbanks."
"Been pretty smooth sailing lately, you see."
"That's the way it ought to be in a well-regulated family, isn't it, Mr. Fogg?"
"Humph--maybe. All the same, I'm an old bird and know the signs."
"What signs are you talking about, Mr. Fogg?"
"Our machine balked this morning when she took the turntable, didn't she?"
"That was because the wiper was half asleep."
"Thirteen blew out a cylinder head as we passed her--13, an unlucky number, see?"
"That's an every-day occurrence since the high pressure system came in."
"White cow crossed the track just back a bit."
"Nonsense," railed Ralph. "I thought you'd got rid of all those old superstitions since your promotion to the best job on the road."
"That's it, that's just it," declared the fireman with serious vehemence--"and I don't want to lose it. Just as I say, since we knocked out the sorehead crew of strikers and made the big record on that famous snowstorm run on the Mountain Division, we've been like ducks in clear water, smooth sailing and the best on earth none too good for us. It isn't natural. Why, old John Griscom, thirty years at the furnace, used to get scared to death if he ran two weeks without a broken driving wheel or a derail."
"Well, you see we're on a new order of things, Mr. Fogg," suggested Ralph brightly. "They've put us at the top-notch with a top-notch machine and a top-notch crew. We must stay there, and we'll do it if we keep our heads clear, eyes open and attend strictly to business."